SEBASTIAN — A unique concert series featuring 45 different acts from the Sebastian River High School band starts Thursday, just in time for the holiday season.
But, Vero News got a special sneak peek at a V.I.P. Media Night, where the 380-student band performed their last dress rehearsal for the concert at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the school. The 24th Annual PRISM Concert series allows audience members to enjoy non-stop action from continuous performances.
“It’s unlike what most people have attended and is very kid friendly,” said director of bands Ashby Goldstein. “The show runs continuously for two hours. The kids work really hard and we’re proud to share that with the community.”
Goldstein said the school decided to open up (the dress rehearsal) to media because the concert is a big event for the community.
With the performers literally coming from all over the auditorium, flash photography and videos aren’t allowed during the regular show so performers won’t be distracted, Goldstein said.
The concert will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the school’s Performing Arts Center, 9001 Shark Boulevard. It features the entire band at the school, including the wind ensemble, wind symphony, jazz band, steel band, color guard dancers, clarinet and trumpet ensembles, concert band, choral choir, symphonic band, saxophones, drumline and the Marching Sharks, Goldstein said.
The term “prism” is symbolic of what happens when a single ray of light hits a glass prism and reflects in multiple individual color bands, according to the band website.
“While we often see a group of student musicians and dancers perform, the Prism Concert is an opportunity to enjoy small groups and individual presentations of music and dance,” the website states. “Many of our student acts contain festive themes and comedy, making the night especially fun and entertaining, and will certainly fill you with the holiday spirit.”
People from all over the nation come just to see the concert series. Goldstein said most of the School District officials also attend the event.
The concert is the largest fundraiser for band programs, with 70 percent of funds going toward band activities. Some funds also will go toward replacing a trailer, worth $1,200 including the equipment inside, that was stolen from the school in April, Goldstein said.
Tickets for the concert are still on sale. For more information on ordering tickets, visit the band site.
Photos by Nick Samuel
