Professor Mark Camphouse served as host, coordinator, and composition mentor for the National Band Association Young Composer-Conductor Mentor Project,  June 13-16.  Camphouse conceived the Project in 2000.  It convenes every other year.  3 outstanding young composers and 3 outstanding young conductors are selected from a large national pool of applicants who come to study over an intensive 4-day period with 3 leading composer and 3 leading conductor mentors who donate their professional services for this tuition-free enterprise.  (Mason music professor Anthony Maiello served as a conducting mentor).     Project seminars, lessons, and masterclasses were held in Mason School of Music facilities.    Rehearsals, performance, and recording sessions were held at Joint Base Anacostia Boling with the Project's 2017 ensemble-in-residence, the famed United States Air Force Band. 

The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Joanne Haroutounian as founder and Executive Director of the MusicLink Foundation at the 2017 MTNA National Convention in Baltimore MD in March.  This award is the highest honor conferred by the MTNA Board of Directors to those who have made significant and lasting contributions to music and music making. It is only the second time the award has been given to an organization. MTNA Executive Director, Gary Ingles states: “It was me that MusicLink was one of the most important programs in music teaching. It has been a pleasure to watch the program grow under Dr. Haroutounian’s vision and leadership and to see it benefit thousands of at-risk and needy children across the country.”