Discover Walla Walla

Photo courtesy of and copyright Walla Walla University

It's 7:45 p.m. I climb out of the car, pull my light sweater tighter around me, and head for the back door of the University Church. It's a little chilly for April, but I don't mind; I'll be warm enough soon. Climbing the steps to the back entrance to the sanctuary platform, I find myself surrounded by a swirling mix of black and white, and the sound of dozens of instruments - cellos, trumpets, flutes, violas, and others - running through last-minute warm-ups.

At 8:00 exactly, the lights flash twice in the sanctuary. The rumble of the audience fades. Then the room goes pitch black.

A spotlight illuminates a sole individual standing at center stage. It's the chair of the Music Department at Walla Walla University (WWU). She gives a welcome, the lights come up, the groups tune, and the room goes dark again. Within seconds a spotlight appears in the middle of the audience, on a small platform built specifically for this concert. A saxophone and harpsichord duo serenades everyone in the room.

It's the annual PRISM Concert at WWU. Each year the Music Department collects representatives from the different areas of the department to perform in this unique concert. Except for wherever the spotlight shines, the concert is done in complete darkness, and the listeners have no idea where the spotlight will appear next.

Concerts like these make living in this community even more enjoyable. WWU's musical tradition is strong and well-known. If you get the chance, I highly recommend going to a musical event there. To find out what's happening while you're in town, call the Music Department at 527-2561.