Mira Costa Visual and Performing Arts Department holds Prism Concert on Oct. 21

By Jason Boxer
Managing Web Editor

The Mira Costa Visual and Performing Arts Department held the annual Prism Concert in the Mira Costa auditorium on Oct. 21. This was the first event of this kind held so far this year, and it included performances from Costa’s Vocal Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra.

Wind Ensemble provided the first performance of the concert with a selection from “Jeremiah, Symphony No. 1” by Leonard Bernstein. Wind Ensemble’s most notable performance came with it’s third piece, “Noist Wheels of Joy” by Eric Whitacre. Band Director Joel Carlson conducted the performance.

A distinct piano intro opened the number quietly, followed by several short solos from different areas of the orchestra, including senior oboist Brian Tuley and senior clarinetist Chris Bickel. Soon the piano began to establish a steady rhythm and the song quickened into a piece that called composer John Williams to mind.

Choir Director Michael Hayden provided a short introduction before Vocal Ensemble took the stage.

“Today’s vocal ensemble performance will be a trip to Italy, with a day trip to Germany. This is a polychoral piece, with two choirs. I’m not going to tell you anything more, though, because we have a bit of a surprise for you,” Hayden said.

The Vocal Ensemble assembled on stage ready to begin their opening piece, “Ego flos campi” by Raphaela Aleotta, but then surprised the audience with silence on stage. The audience turned around to hear sophomore Aurora Foster, junior Delphi Borich, and senior DJ Stanfill begin the number as trio from the back of the auditorium.

The Mira Costa Symphony Orchestra strings closed the evening with two pieces, one of which included solo performances from juniors Richard Wedeen and Greg Fong. Wedeen was concertmaster for the orchestra that evening.

“I genuinely believe that the prism concert is the best idea the music department has ever had. Being able to make a really fantastic concert so early on in the year allows the ensembles to give the community a preview of what is to come this year. This year’s prism concert was the best yet, and the concert was able to showcase the talents of each ensemble fantastically,” Bickel said.