By Robert Ortiz, Staff Writer
The 2025 Prism Concert this past Tuesday was pleasurable for all viewers in attendance. Although it all looked polished from an outside perspective, the majority of attendees were unaware of the level of precision it took to produce a memorable experience like this year’s concert.
The River Hill Prism Concert has been a yearly fall event that the entire River Hill community looks forward to. The whole music department goes all out in every aspect of the event to give the audience the most musical adventure possible.
Due to the many different groups involved, Mr. Blackman, band director and one of the four organizers for the Prism Concert, admits, “What goes on behind the curtain is often utter chaos.” It’s a great visual from the crowd, but the performers and teachers backstage need to be aware of when they perform at all times, leading to anticipation from both sides.
Although setting up the concert is very stressful for all music teachers involved, Mr. Blackman stated that “This gives the community a chance to come out in one night and hear all the musical groups.” The Prism Concert provided performers’ loved ones the opportunity to listen to and experience every music group.
With the large number of participants in this concert, the audience typically only gets to see each group perform one or two songs. Some parents may be disappointed to see their kids perform once, but Mr. Blackman added that “if each group did three pieces, we’d be here all night.”
In response to only performing one piece of music, junior and baritone in Concert Choir, Jay Babilah said, “reducing it to one song just makes us focus more on that one song.” Adding that performing just once “makes sure you sing it to the best of your ability.”
Ms. Hughes, Choir teacher and organizer for the Prism Concert, conducted her first concert at River Hill, which happens to be one of the most significant of the year. Ms. Hughes mentioned that “this will be my debut concert at River Hill.” Hughes, later noted that “I don’t want to put too much pressure on this concert because each choir is doing one piece.” The choir’s goals were to ensure that their individual pieces were as good as possible before performing, to ensure a calm and collected performance.
Without witnessing the concert in person, it is hard to imagine how they would cram all the music into a short 90-minute duration. Mr. Blackman mentioned that “the format for the Prism concert is very special,” referring to it as having a “kaleidoscope format.” This means that the music, in essence, never stops. With the help of lighting to transition from group to group, the Prism Concert is a non-stop and fast-paced collective performance that keeps the audience engaged. Mr. Blackman added that, “because of the format, it actually goes by very quickly.” The timing of the concert wouldn’t be possible without all the planning in preparation for the event.
The concert was split into halves; in between those two halves, an intermission occurs, where visitors are encouraged to purchase baked goods with donations to the River Hill music department. Ms. Hughes stated that the bake sale is “an opportunity for us to get more money for the department because we’re planning on field trips for next year.” Students from each music group volunteered to bake goods for visitors and performers to enjoy. The main goal was to support essential services and resources that keep all music programs running.
The theme of the Prism Concert is debated among the music teachers to fit all the groups. The theme is usually assigned in the Spring of the previous school year and is made with ample thought. Mr. Blackman recalled that the theme doesn’t matter, “as long as everybody can find music.” Finalizing a genre that all groups can relate to is a difficult task that is not considered by those present.
Mr. Blackman dedicates a lot of time to this decision, stating that “I end up writing my own arrangements because the arrangements don’t exist.” This is a duty that requires reworking previously existing music so that it is targeted for the wide variety of students he instructs.
Seating is another factor that is critical for the success of the concert. The auditorium holds 677 people, and there are 350 music students with parents looking to witness their performances as well. Every year, the music department has to make a decision. Mr Blackman said, “We don’t tend to advertise it to the public.” There wouldn’t be enough seats for parents if other community members filled the seats.
Despite all these responsibilities and obligations, the River Hill Music department and the students succeed every year at providing a special show for all those in attendance. Even though it may be considered abstract and out of the ordinary, Ms. Hughes regarded it as an opportunity “for us to appreciate all of the music at River Hill” at an annual event that is cherished by all who have attended it.