Band members backstage. Students spend much of their time before the concert in a maze-like hallway beneath the stage.

On Thursday January 7, 2010, Liverpool High School music department presented Prism, a special performance at Goldstein Auditorium Schine Student Center at Syracuse University, which featured performances from every high school music program.

Many students at LHS hear the term “Prism” and think it is just a humongous excuse for the music kids to miss classes for a day. However, after watching the performance Thursday, the talent and excellence on display would discount any “nay-sayers” take on the event.

The night started with a bang with a boisterous performance of the Star Spangled Banner by the concert ensemble band, lead by Mr. Filio, featuring senior vocalists Nicholas Blaney, Joshua Smith, Carleena Manzi, Corie Manzi, and Morgan Naum. The ensemble also played a song As All the Heavens Were a Bell that gave off a hip hop feel.

As the night continued, an additionally fun, up-tempo set was performed by Concert Orchestra, lead by Ms. Koppeis. Their set had an awesome sound that magically had all members of my row tapping their feet and shaking their knees.

One of the biggest and brightest surprises of the night was the performance by the Concert Choir. Lead by freshman sensation Marisa Pizzuto’s powerful, soothing voice; a poignant rendition of Bright Morning Stars wowed the audience.

Alongside Pizzuto on a trio section of the song were Cassie Dailey and Marie Zarcone. Zarcone would continue to impress with a wonderful soprano solo in Make Them Hear You.

The Concert Band’s performance started off with a boom, as the opening chord of Choreography startled most audience members. The band contained a bold, tasty sound that was very pleasant.

The highest moment of the night started after the Concert Band cleared the stage. A light shined, singled on senior Maggie Bonner, who was carrying a bucket. Yes, one solitary, red pail, and a concealed pair of drumsticks. As Maggie pulled a chair over to her final destination, she set her bucket down and began, well, drumming it. And she drummed well.

As this musical anomaly was forming before our very eyes, senior Ed Flouton walked confidently over to Maggie, armed with the same equipment as she, and began mimicking her actions. The two were echoed by fellow senior Matt Hartman. The trio began an enlightening, downright comical performance of a seemingly original act called Just Buckets.

Just Buckets took the audience on a joy ride, creating laughter, smiles, and looks of excitement for the hundreds watching the impressive act, an act that without a doubt stole the show.

While attempting to follow the most unique act of the night, String Ensemble gave a solid performance, displaying great control while playing Selections from Carmen.

Symphonic Orchestra was one of the most, if not the most, professional sounding groups all night. Their rendition of Palladio Allegretto was intense, lead by a great melody and smooth expression.

The Concert Chorale gave an extremely energetic exaltation of Dravidian Dithyramb, a song lyrically filled to the brim with “scatting” or “non-sense” words. The Chorale’s performance of Footprints left one former chorale member, within eyeshot from this journalist’s seat, teary eyed and choked up.

The Symphonic Band closed off the evening’s events with several groovy tunes. Their cool sound was raised when during a performance of Arabesque; belly dancers from St. Elias Church excited the crowd with their dances while the band rocked out.

God Bless America was the final performance, sung out by every student in all the groups and played by the Symphonic Band. And when technical difficulties halted the microphones offered in the auditorium, director of Fine Arts, Dave Perry, was able to shout and exclaim his farewell onto a much satisfied crowd.