William Camphouse composer

William Camphouse is engaged in music making with student, community-based and professional performing ensembles throughout a career that continues to provide inspiration, enjoyment and an opportunity to work with similarly motivated people. Throughout his professional life he has been influenced by music educators that served as effective role models, by supportive colleagues, by a family always engaged in music making and by a belief that meaningful music is a powerful communicative device for the enlightenment and pleasure of humankind. In addition to service as a public school music educator, Camphouse developed and led a comprehensive music program at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Illinois preparing students in foundation level music coursework as well as making a vital contribution to the cultural life of the community. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois, was awarded a Morris Doctoral Fellowship from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and studied conducting with John Paynter (Northwestern University) and Katherine Comet (St. Louis Symphony).

His interest in composition and arranging has been ongoing and has resulted in a number of commissioned and published works for orchestra and concert band with many based on regionally inspired themes. He was awarded the Illinois Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters’ Fraternity Outstanding Composition Award, appears as a festival clinician throughout the mid-west, is a frequent presentor at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State conference and maintains an active schedule of performing and conducting activities. Extra-musical interests include service as Village President of Perry, Illinois where he and his wife, Kristine, are restoring their Civil War era family home. They are the parents of three sons and grandparents of three active children.