Prisms of Winter Returns as OPRF’s Most Anticipated Arts Event of the Year

A tradition more than a decade strong, Prisms of Winter is not just a concert; it’s a fully immersive, 90-minute musical experience that showcases the talent, dedication, and collaboration of OPRF’s performing arts students. With more than 25 performances spanning choir, orchestra, band, and over 18 student-led ensembles, the event draws more than 2,600 attendees each year.

“Every year, our students pour their creativity and passion into something truly unforgettable,” said Anthony Svejda, OPRF’s band director and producer of the event. “The format invites the audience into an experience; it’s not just watching a concert, it’s being surrounded by sound and energy from every corner of the space.”

Unlike traditional performances, Prisms unfolds throughout the auditorium. As one performance ends, the lights shift, and the music emerges from a new location: the pit, center of house, back of house, the apron, the alcoves. The seamless, applause-free transitions create a continuous wave of music, culminating in a powerful finale that features every student performer.

This year’s closing piece blends Mozart’s Lacrimosa with Orff’s Carmina Burana, a pairing that promises a dramatic and moving conclusion. “It starts in a whisper and ends in a roar,” Svejda said. “By the time the curtain rises and the entire auditorium is alive with sound, you can feel the emotion in the room.”

For many students, the finale is the most memorable part of the night. Senior Sofia Fitzgerald explained, “The energy is really infectious. Most of our finales start very calm, but then build to this big, final push. As a performer, you feel that excitement growing, like you’re about to hit your final double forte or final note, and it’s just really exciting. Especially at the end of the semester, you’re thinking about everything it took to get here. It’s this beautiful way to close it out with everyone around you, creating this wall of sound.”

Beyond the power of the finale, students say the real magic of Prisms is in the relationships and growth it fosters. “It’s the time when all the students in the entire school come together to perform,” said Nathan Kralik. “We all know we’re part of something bigger. We’re not just one person in a small band, we’re one person in an entire community doing everything we can to put on the best show possible.”

That sense of collaboration is deeply felt by students like Indi Shannon: “It means not playing for yourself, but playing for the audience. You have to realize how your sound fits into other people’s sounds. You can’t play like you’re having a solo; you have to be conscious of everyone. And I think that’s really beautiful.”

Senior Max Vannopas, participating in his fourth Prisms, reflected on how the experience has shaped him: “What makes Prisms so unique is the small ensembles playing in every corner of the auditorium. It’s had me work with different types of people, play in different kinds of groups, and try all sorts of musical styles. I feel like it’s given me a really well-rounded view of music.”

Senior Cecilia Romeus agreed, noting that Prisms challenges students to grow both individually and as a team. “Being part of something so collaborative and large-scale requires a lot of individual responsibility. You have to know your role and be ready at the right moment. But when everyone comes together—directors, lighting, sound, the musicians—it’s so rewarding. You feel the energy of the finale, and it gives you chills. You know you’ve helped build something truly powerful.”

“This event has become an expectation for our community, and a highlight of the year for our students,” Svejda said. “It gives them the chance to be part of something larger than themselves and to feel the power of an audience that’s fully present and appreciative.”

Led by:

Anthony Svejda, Band Director

Meredith McGuire, Choir Director

Patrick Pearson, Orchestra Director

Brendon Culloton, Band Director

This year’s Prisms of Winter performances are scheduled for December 11 & 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets are now on sale through the OPRF Performing Arts Department.