On Thursday, Nov. 15, Mason’s Wind Symphony, under the direction of Mark Camphouse, performed a challenging program at the 2007 Virginia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Norfolk, Va. While many Music Education students and faculty annually attend the conference, Mason hasn’t played at VMEA since 2003.

VMEA is a nonprofit organization that provides leadership and professional development in music education. VMEA is an affiliated state unit of the Music Educators National Conference: The National Association for Music Education. The gathering is attended by over 1,400 faculty and student VMEA members.

The concert included: “Espirit de Corps (1985)” by Robert Jager, Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble (1997) by David Gillingham, “Easter Monday on the White House Lawn (1929)” by John Philip Sousa, and “Symphonic Metamorphosis (1943)” by Paul Hindemith, transcribed for band by Keith Wilson. Symphonic Band conductor Clyde Hughes led the Sousa, and Symphony Orchestra conductor Anthony Maiello approached the podium for Camphouse’s “A Dakota Rhapsody (2007),” commissioned by the South Dakota College Band Directors Association to commemorate the South Dakota Intercollegiate Band’s 25th anniversary.

At VMEA, Robert P. Carroll Jr., president of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Association, will guest conduct Mason student composer Vincent Oppido’s new work, “Under Skies So Blue: A Centennial Anthem (2007).” This piece was commissioned for the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Great Bridge High School Band Program in Chesapeake, Va., directed by Carroll and Frederick T. Gerhardt.

The ensemble also performed at the Naval Amphibious Base Theatre in Norfolk, Va. the night before, as well as a concert at Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Va. on Friday.

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