Musician 1st Class William Camps

Bass

Musician 1st Class William A. Camps III is originally from Cleveland, North Carolina. He studied music at the University of Mount Olive and University of North Carolina at Pembroke. His primary teachers include Dr. Larry Arnold, Jim Lambie, Dr. Joseph Van Hassel, Dr. Tracy Wiggins, Dr. Tim Heath, Jane Hanrahan, and Daniel Trivette.

In 2017, Camps enlisted in the Navy and upon graduation from RTC Great Lakes, reported to the Naval School of Music at JEB Little Creek, VA. His subsequent duty stations included the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Navy Band Southwest in San Diego, California. In his time at these stations, he served as Unit Leader of the Jazz Combo, Command Fitness Leader, Percussion Section Leader, Building Manager, Wind Ensemble Concertmaster, and as an assistant in Travel and Public Affairs. While in Hawaii, he was a part of a three-month humanitarian deployment called the 2019 Pacific Partnership.

In August 2022, Camps auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band. He reported to Annapolis in April 2023 as bass instrumentalist with the Superintendent’s Combo, Blues & Gold, and the Wind Ensemble. His collateral duties include Superintendent's Protocol Band Leading Petty Officer, Awards Writer, and Command Career Counselor.

Camps’ awards include Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and the Navy Good Conduct Medal (two awards). He was also named the 2019 Pacific Fleet Band Bluejacket of the Year and 2022 Navy Band Southwest Junior Sailor of the Year.