Yorkville’s High School’s sold out Prism Concerts highlight need for upgraded facilities

As Yorkville School District 115 looks at upgrading its facilities, one area under consideration is the performance arts. With every one of Yorkville Middle School’s 600 auditorium seats sold out for four consecutive performances of the 16th annual Prism Concert, there is substantial community support.

Justin Heinekamp, the high school’s music division chair, is certain they could have sold out another show based on the calls for tickets he’s had to turn away. The deluge of calls is indicative of two things: the community’s passion for music and the arts, and the need for facility upgrades to better match the music program’s growth.

District officials are in the midst of a series of public hearings at the district’s schools, gaining community feedback on how the district should invest in upgrading their buildings to better accommodate the needs of the quickly growing student population.

Superintendent Matt Zediker has previously stated one of the common priorities he’s heard is the public desire for a new performance arts center and greater classroom space for music and arts programs, in addition to infrastructure like a new athletics field house.

Zediker said he expects the initial concept planning with the steering committee consisting of teachers, principals, district staff, community members, and students, to take place throughout the winter, with a Facilities Master Plan proposed to the board in July 2025.

Heinekamp said when he first took the job he was astounded by the love for the arts in the community when people were already asking about the December Prism Concerts in August.

“Yorkville is a music town,” Heneikamp said. “We sold over 700 tickets in 15 minutes the day we opened sales. It’s insane. We sold out for the middle school musical as well, there’s such a community clamoring for the arts. The community wants to be engaged. We don’t want to be turning audience members away, but we’re at the point where it’s going to continue. There’s so much growth in the community, and there’s such an upward spiral taking place every year with our music program.”

Heinekamp said it’s tremendous seeing the way the community unites to support musical events like Prism. He said the audience really loves hearing the creative collaborations between the full orchestra, the choir singers, and the horns and percussion elements. He said so many different aspects and groups are blended together in a sensational way creating a magical live experience.

“From beginners to advanced students, everyone is on that concert stage working together and achieving a powerful, real-time moment that transcends to the audience,” Heinekamp said. “Especially in our ending tradition where all our 500 musicians perform together Leroy Anderson’s ‘Christmas Festival.’ Even the audience joins in singing Christmas carols. They love it when the show concludes with theatrical snow falling down.”

According to the school’s website, the Yorkville High School Music Department serves more than 500 students daily though three orchestras, six choirs, four concert bands, two jazz bands, chamber strings, volunteer marching band, pep bands, three general music courses, AP music theory, and numerous chamber ensembles.

The proceeds from ticket sales get channeled back into the music program to fund everything from new instruments, better lessons, to guest clinicians for the students. Each year Prism tends to raise about $20,000 for the music program.

Heinekamp said the proceeds and the district’s continued support reflects in the growth of the marching band every year. He said that growth across the entire department highlights the necessity for upgrading their facilities, including with a new performance auditorium.

“With any capstone performance, you want our kids to perform, participate, and compete in a space that makes them feel valued,” Heinekamp said. “We’re growing past the capacity that our rooms can hold. We currently only have six practice rooms for nearly 500 students. We have two rehearsal rooms split between three programs. Seeing our success and then seeing the district invest in that success will just bring more excitement and opportunity for our students.”

Heinekamp said investing in liberal arts brings a multitude of benefits for developing minds far outside just musical abilities.

“Music teaches responsibility, discipline and perseverance,” Heinekamp said. “Music is not asynchronous, people need to collaborate as one in real time. There’s an element of teamwork and relationship building that needs to occur. Music is hugely democratic. You have to listen to each other and help each other support one another.”