I strongly endorse and encourage all lovers of wind band as well as music education to get this book, read it, and act on it. The North American Wind Symphony, a concept conceived by Prof. Camphouse, is a daring idea whose time has come, and Mark Camphouse is just the person to bring it to fruition.

—H. Robert Reynolds
    Director Emeritus of University Bands, University of Michigan

From visionary conductor, composer, and music educator Mark Camphouse comes this unique volume with a bold vision for the future of wind band in North America and a thoughtful analysis of the role music education plays in bringing that vision to fruition.

In Part One, Camphouse presents a detailed and well-reasoned proposal for the founding of the North American Wind Symphony, North America’s first full-time professional (non-military) wind band in the twenty-first century. Four notable musicians and a former U.S. Secretary of State expand on this proposal with their own thoughts and endorsements of the idea.

Part Two provides a brief history of the National Band Association’s Young Composer/Conductor Mentor Project and its impactful legacy, with perspectives offered by three leaders with the project—Mark Camphouse, Paula A. Crider, and Col. Don Schofield. More than a dozen mentees also share their perspectives and experiences.

In Part Three, eleven wind band professionals bring into focus important issues facing music education today and in the future. Topics include educational philosophy, concert programming, racial diversity in school bands, curricula at the collegiate level, and the state of wind band composition, among others.

A one-of-a-kind text rooted in the experience, expertise, and imagination of leaders in the wind band field, The North American Wind Symphony is an inspirational and timely read for all music educators.

Mark Camphouse (editor) received his formal musical training at Northwestern University. His works for wind band have received widespread critical acclaim and are frequently performed in the U.S. and abroad. Camphouse is Professor Emeritus at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he conducted the wind symphony and taught courses in conducting and composition. He is a recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Faculty Award by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and of the Distinguished Service Award by the National Band Association. He retired in 2022 after forty-four years of full-time teaching in higher education.