Harmonious echoes will fill the auditorium of Van Meter Hall on Friday as WKU’s Department of Music presents its 28th annual PRISM concert.
Rebecca Golub, a professor at WKU and performer in the PRISM concert, said that PRISM was designed to give audience members a diverse array of music. The concert itself resembles a geometric prism that reflects a rainbow by showing colors throughout the auditorium and upbeat music performances, Golub said.
As a professor, Golub coaches music students and participates in the PRISM concert by playing the piano. She is featured in three works: symphonic ensemble, flute choir and a flute chamber duet.
“I’m really excited because it’s not only my first year teaching but also my first year participating in the PRISM concert as well,” Golub said. “I like getting to collaborate with students in such a cool event.”
Practice and preparation for the concert varies between ensembles, Golub said. She started practicing the flute chamber duet last semester along with other ensembles. While all the concert’s music takes preparation, some groups practice more frequently than others, Golub said.
Sophomore PRISM participant Micah Buckham from Irvington said that practicing for the concert was tricky at the beginning of this semester. Due to the campus being closed for snow days, Buckham said finding time to get everyone together was difficult.
Eventually managed to get around four to five rehearsal hours a week while also practicing on their own time, he said.
After their last concert in December, Buckham said the directors immediately started planning for this year’s PRISM concert. He said that PRISM evolves each year. As a second-time participant in the concert, he said that the sound of PRISM is fresher compared to last year.
“People graduate and others come in as freshmen, and it creates a new vibe with new, talented musicians,” Buckham said.
As a trumpet player, Buckham said that all participants get their time to shine.
“The trumpet is a popular instrument that was made to stand out,” Buckham said. “I feel like the audience is always attracted to the bright sound of a trumpet.”
Junior Trenton Fears from Russellville is a percussionist in the PRISM concert and says that all percussionists can stand out.
“During percussion performances, I love that the audience can only hear one instrument at a time,” Fears said. “All percussionists play at different times and stand alone which makes us really stand out.”
Fears said that they have a wide variety of audience members as high school honors band students come and view their show each year.
“I love playing for honors students,” Fears said. “They get super excited when the steel band shows up on stage and it feels amazing to have an audience reciprocate the happy energy of the concert back to us.”
The concert feels thrilling because audience members never know exactly where the sound is coming from at first, Fears said. During the concert, performers appear not only on stage but in the balcony and aisles as well.
“We try to connect with our audience and place ensembles all throughout the auditorium,” Fears said.
Fears said that because the concert is so fast-paced and upbeat every year, they need all of the performers’ effort at all times.
“While it takes a village to run this place, we try to make it as fun as possible for our audience,” Fears said.
Bowling Green sophomore Grayson Duvall said everyone who participates in PRISM is devoted to what they do and determined to put on a good show.
“I know people who are in multiple ensembles,” Duvall said. “Everyone is so hardworking and dedicated to this concert.”
As a member of the jazz band, Duvall is a tenor saxophone player and said that the band’s music can range from older blues to contemporary fusion music.
“The jazz band puts on a very unique performance that has become many participants’ favorite pieces,” Duvall said. “We play ‘Tank!’ from a very popular television show that we think the audience will be surprised to hear.”
The acapella group also provides great vocals for the PRISM concert, Duvall said. By singing popular songs in a unique way, he said they have the ability to connect with the audience and keep their attention.
“I just really think this concert is amazing and I am excited for people to see what we have worked so hard for,” Duvall said. “I love to see the audience hyped up and in love with our music because it is a very hard thing to put on that takes a lot of time and effort.”
Tickets for PRISM can be reserved online. General admission ticket prices will be $15 and reserved seating tickets will be $20. According to the WKU website, all proceeds will go towards WKU’s department of music scholarship funds.