Symphonic Prelude

Mark Camphouse

Symphonic Prelude (The Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer) was premiered in 2005 in honor of the Northshore Concert Band which was celebrating a 50th anniversary at the time.

The composition was inspired by a visit to a Normandy cemetery. The composer writes,

"Normandy American Cemetery is situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel in Colleville-Sur-Mer, France. I found it to be an overwhelmingly moving landmark to the American people and our heritage. It is immaculately maintained, and the seemingly endless rows of white crosses and Stars of David are a powerful reminder of the staggeringly high cost of freedom."

Mark Camphouse (b. 1954) is an accomplished composer, conductor, trumpet player and educator. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, he studied trumpet with legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal, Adolph Herseth, and at Northwestern University with John Paynter, Vincent Cichowicz and Alan Stout. Camphouse began composing at an early age, with Colorado Philharmonic premiering his First Symphony when he was 17. He is currently Professor of Music and Director of the Wind Symphony at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Last updated on December 4, 2019 by Palatine Concert Band