Director Glen Hemberger conducts the Southeastern Wind Symphony as
they perform for their spring concert, titled “We Shall Overcome.”  
The Lion's Roar / Melanie Mann

Students of the East Ascension High School Symphonic Winds were invited to play alongside Southeastern’s Wind Symphony and guest composer Mark Camphouse for the performance titled, “We Shall Overcome.” 

The symphony performed Friday, March 20 at the Columbia Theatre. East Ascension Symphonic Winds musicians were given the opportunity to meet the composer of a piece they performed, titled “Anthem.” Composed by Camphouse, “Anthem” blended the national anthems of Iraq and the United States as a commentary on the conflict. 

The high school students began by performing the Iraq national anthem, followed by the United States national anthem. Both pieces held a dignified and triumphant tone, but when blended together, the two anthems created a much more somber melody. 

“It’s not a war piece. It’s a look at the conflict as seen through the eyes of an Iraqi civilian and through the eyes of an American serviceman,” said Camphouse. “It looks at the conflict from two different perspectives. It’s neither an anti-war piece or a pro-war piece. It tries to be a very honest portrayal of how these two people view the conflict. It ends very starkly because it was written in 2007 when the war was raging at a very high point.” 

Camphouse explained his love for history as an inspiration for many of his pieces. 

After the East Ascension Symphonic Winds performance, the Southeastern Wind Symphony opened with Camphouse’s piece, “A Movement for Rosa.” The piece was dedicated to Rosa Parks, who Camphouse had met in person. 

“It was extraordinary to have the opportunity to meet her,” said Camphouse. “We held a press conference together, and we had dinner together. Even though she was a very tiny lady physically, you could not help but recognize the great courage and strength that she possessed. It was an amazing opportunity to get that close to someone of that stature. It was one of the most remarkable moments of my life as a musician and an American.”

The piece began with a carefree tone, a tribute to Rosa Parks’ childhood in Tuskegee, Alabama. As the piece continues, the tune becomes increasingly tense and dramatic to represent the racial tension in the United States during the civil rights movement. The music slowly fades to signify the lingering racial inequality in modern times. 

“I have very strong feelings about racism,” said Camphouse. “It’s been in the media a lot lately. I wanted to remind the listener that one person can make a difference, just like Rosa Parks did. I think it’s important to tie together music with other subject areas in the curriculum, whether literature or history or even science. That’s what’s neat about being a composer: I am able to communicate through sound how I feel about these issues.”

Camphouse perfomed as a guest conductor with the Southeastern Wind Symphony, in 2003. Camphouse offered praise for the wind symphony and music faculty. 

“I think the Southeastern Wind Symphony plays at a very, very high collegiate level,” said Camphouse. “They obviously have very good teachers and a very fine director. Dr. Hemberger is a wonderful director. I was just so impressed, not only with their musical talents, but with their obvious work ethic. The students are very dedicated, and I believe every student there has a very bright future to look forward to.”

Director of the Southeastern Wind Symphony Glen Hemberger (middle) acknowledged
guest as fellow conductor of East Ascension High School Symphonic Winds,
Patti Roussel (left), and guest composer Mark Camphouse (right) joined him on stage.
The Lion's Roar / Melanie Mann