By Isabella Bratton ('26)
Houghton’s Christmas Prism will be held on Friday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Victory Highway Wesleyan Church, and on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. in the John & Charles Wesley Chapel. After Saturday’s performance, there will be a After Prism Party in Van Dyk Lounge at 9:30 p.m.
The concert showcases several of Houghton’s music ensembles such as the Men’s and Women’s Choir, Symphony Orchestra and soloists.
The ensembles have been preparing for months, and are looking forward to seeing their work come together.
Freshman Zoe Zachery (‘27) expressed excitement for her first choir concert at Houghton. While she’s excited, she explained how it is also nerve-wracking due to Prism’s commendable reputation.
Zachery stated, “The most challenging part of preparing for prism is the memorization of all the songs that we are performing … it’s kind of nerve racking but I know that I’m prepared. It’s just the fact that prism is such a big concert and it’s really important to people.”
Sophomore Anthony Fry (‘26), a member of the Houghton Choir, reiterated Zachery’s statement, specifically noting that the most challenging moment for him was memorizing a song in Haitian Creole.
A member of the Women’s Choir, Sophomore Elizabeth Wertz (‘26), is looking forward to showcasing the hard work all the ensembles have put in.
Wertz said, “The song I’m looking forward to most is called ‘What Strangers Are These?’. This song really builds and it tells an incredible story.”
Senior Kaitlin Kleinau (‘24) appreciated the efforts of her choir director, Dr. Kevin Dibble, to keep their heads in the right place before performance.
Kleinau wrote, “Dr. Dibble always reminds his ensembles, during prayer and devotional time right before the concert, to be present, spiritually and emotionally. The audience before us will never be the same group again, and our peers will be ever-changing. However, God is with us in this moment, and we simply have to make music for Him. If we can reach one soul because of our worship, then all praise be to God.”
Wertz hoped that the audience would not only enjoy the concert but take away something valuable.
“I hope,” Wertz wrote, “that the audience will be able to see God’s glory from our performance and realize that nothing is possible without Him. He is the reason for our successes, and He is the one that should be praised.” ★