A unique take on a holiday tradition, Yorkville High School's "12 Days of Prism" ends Friday, Dec. 18 with the 2020 concert.
For 12 days, all holiday Prism concerts will be uploaded onto the Yorkville High School Band's YouTube account, YorkvilleBands.
"We have been meeting during school and rehearsing, and the Music Department in Yorkville is trying every way possible to still give our students somewhat of a normal experience as far as getting out performances," Music Department Chairman Victor Anderson said.
This year's Prism concert was recorded over several days, with bands and choirs performing in the YHS Cafetorium, which was converted into a "Black box" theatre space. 2020 marks the first year that Prism has not taken place at Yorkville Middle School.
Students were also able to perform through the use of shields, instrument covers and other steps to prevent the spread of saliva, as well as face masks specifically designed to use with musical instruments.
"For our Prism concert, obviously we couldn't be outdoors with the weather, but we've had the support of the administration to be able to use this larger room to rehearse in, and have the kids with protective PPE specific to music students and sit socially distanced," Anderson said. "We just think that the Prism concert is something really special to our kids and to their families, and so if there's anything we can do to make it happen, we're going to make it happen."
The 2020 virtual concert will also include messages from YHS seniors, who will be sharing some of their favorite Prism memories.