Young Composer & Conductor Mentor Projects

Young Composer/Conductor Mentor Project (YCCMP)

The next YCCMP Project is in June 2024
in Washington, D.C. with Frank Ticheli
and the
The United States Air Force Band
Col. Don Schofield, Commander and Conductor

History of the Young Composer and Young Conductor
Mentor Projects

In 2000, the National Band Association launched the first of its two Mentor Projects, the Young Composer Mentor Project.  The brainchild of composer/conductor and George Mason University Professor Emeritus , Mark Camphouse, the idea was to pair young aspiring composers with working veteran composers for an intense three-day collaboration.  This soon led to the implementation of the Young Conductor Mentor Project in 2004 under the leadership of project director Paula Crider, Professor Emerita, University of Texas at Austin.  The young conductor component was added at the suggestion of mentor Frank Ticheli, following the first two young composer events.  Over the past 20 years, more than 75 young composers and conductors have distinguished themselves through participation in both projects (YCCMP), which now place a strong emphasis on the importance of composer-conductor interaction. The young composers and conductors work in collaboration to present public performances of the composers’ compositions conducted by the conductors.

Since the Projects’ inception, most all composition and conducting mentors have donated their professional services, thereby directly helping to keep the event tuition-free for student participants. Student participants pay for their own travel expenses, only. Special gratitude, admiration, and respect is accorded to the mentors who, over the years, have provided insights that may take these talented young students to that elusive “next” level of musical excellence far sooner than a solitary musical journey might provide. Of the mentors, Mark Camphouse notes: “They donate their professional services. They serve as mentors because they are genuinely committed to encouraging and nurturing future generations of especially promising and gifted young composers and conductors. They, too are making a difference.” The list of NBA Composer and Conductor Mentors is a veritable “Who’s Who” in the world of wind bands:

• Composer Mentors have included Jack Stamp, Timothy Mahr, David Gillingham, Frank Ticheli, Donald Grantham, David Maslanka, David Holsinger, Julie Giroux, James Curnow, Robert Sheldon, Andrew Boysen, Thomas Duffy, Joseph Turrin, Carter Pann, Dana Wilson, Brian Balmages,  Viet Cuong, Kevin Day, and Ryan Nolan (U.S. Marine Band).
• Conductor Mentors have included Frederick Fennell, Frank Wickes, James Keene, Thomas Fraschillo, Steve Steele, David Gregory, Gary Sousa, Robert Ponto, Anthony Maiello, David Waybright, Stephen Peterson, Terry Austin, Tom Dvorak, David Whitwell, John Culvahouse, Gary Hill, Frank Battisti, Richard Good, H. Robert Reynolds, Linda R. Moorhouse, Col. Jason Fettig, Col. Larry Lang, Col. Don Schofield, Rebecca Phillips, and Scott Tobias.

During the three-day event, composer participants have their works rehearsed, performed, and recorded with the conductor participants conducting. All rehearsals and the performance are attended and supervised by all composer and conductor mentors. Many alums of this joint Project have gone on to have highly successful careers as conductors, composers, and educators at the high school and college-university level, and with professional military bands. Previous Mentor Projects have been hosted by The Texas Bandmasters Association in San Antonio, Illinois State University, Arizona State University, the United States Marine Band, and the United States Air Force Band.

Mark Camphouse points out that a great number of previous YCCMP winners have “gone on to become published, widely performed composers . . . and are serving our profession with distinction.” [they are] “proving to be a true lifeline to the future of our wind band repertoire. They are making a difference,” as are the many young conductors who are proving to be the leaders in the “next” generation of wind band conductors.

Young Composer/Conductor Mentor Project History

(2000 Project)
Project Ensemble: 323rd U.S. Army Band (San Antonio, Texas)
Composer Mentors: Mark Camphouse • Timothy Mahr • Jack Stamp

Young Composer Participants and their compositions
Jay Glossup – Thoughts From Europe
Geoffrey Goodwin – Crusade
Kyle Kindred – Prestidigitato
Christopher Tucker – Urban Divertimento
Matthew Schoendorff – Cloak and Dagger

(2001 Project)
Project Ensemble: 323rd U.S. Army Band (San Antonio, Texas)
Composer Mentors: Mark Camphouse • David Gillingham • Frank Ticheli

Young Composer Participants and their compositions
Robert Ash – Glory
Mark Fredericks – Soft Self-Portraits
Eric Knechtges – Broken Silents
Daniel Montoya – Danse Moods
Ben Stonaker – While We Were Yet Sinners
Anthony Suter – Dance Fragments

(2002 Project)
Project Ensemble: 323rd U.S. Army Band (San Antonio, Texas)
Composer Mentors: Mark Camphouse • Frank Ticheli

Young Composer Participants and their compositions
Cormac Canon – Divertimento for Band
Rebecca Culp – A New Day
Cory McBride – Perilous Voyage
Justin Nielsen – Jam
Shawn Okpebholo – Ritual Dances

(2004 Project)
Project Ensemble: Air Force Band of Mid America
Composer Mentors: Mark Camphouse • Donald Grantham • Dana Wilson
Conductor Mentors: Thomas Fraschillo • James Keene • Frank Wickes

Young Composer Participants and their compositions
Daniel Boothe – Trinitas
Roy Magnuson – Harvest Moon
Carl Schroeder – Agora

Young Conductor Participants
Travis Cross, Brian Dell, and Andre Feagin

(2005 Project)
Project Ensemble: Prairie Winds (Normal, Illinois)
Composer Mentors: Jack Stamp • David Maslanka • David Holsinger
Conductor Mentors:  Paula Crider • David Gregory • Stephen Steel

Young Composer Participants and their compositions
Christopher Renk – Metropolis Dawn
Royce Cole – Light
Craig Fitzpatrick – A Changed Anthem

(2019 Project)
Project Ensemble: United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.)
Composer Mentors: Mark Camphouse • Frank Ticheli • Brian Balmages
Conductor Mentors: Paula Crider • H. Robert Reynolds • Col. Don Schofield • Linda R. Moorhouse

Young Composer Participants and their compositions
Ben Justis – Carving the Painted Wall for Wind Ensemble (2018)
Tyler Mazone – Symphony No. 3 – A Guide Through Dreams for Wind Band (2018) (mvts. 2&3)
Ben Robichaux – As the Lights Go Out for Wind Ensemble & Electronics (2018)

Young Conductor Participants
Giovani Estefano Briguente, Seth Davis, and Keith Griffis

(2022 Project)

Project Ensemble: United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.)
Composer Mentors: Mark Camphouse • Tom Duffy • Viet Cuong • Kevin Day
Conductor Mentors: Rebecca Phillips • Scott Tobias • Col. Don Schofield • Linda R. Moorhouse

Young Composer Participants and their compositions
Henry Dickson – Witching Hour for Wind Ensemble (2022)
Trevor Smith – Palette and Spectrum for Wind Band (2022)
Michael Standard – Five Frames for Redemption for Wind Ensemble (2020)

Young Conductor Participants
Tyler Ehrlich, Ben Pouncey, and Ceon Rumphs