Program

The Star Spangled Banner - words by Francis Scott Key, music by Stafford Smith
arranged by Roderick Harkins

Apogee Fanfare for 8 Trombones - Chris M. Sharpe

Canzon Primi Toni from Sacrae Symphoniae 1597 - Giovanni Gabrieli

Cogent Caprice (Concerto for Tenor Trombone) - Tommy Pederson, Brent Phillips soloist

The "Hex Files" by James Kazik

America the Beautiful - by Sammuel Ward
arranged by Robert Elkjer

Armed Forces Medley - arranged for the Mountain Light Music Festival Trombone Choir in 2025
Army - Marines - Coast Guard - Navy - Air Force

Brief Intermission - 15 minutes

Strauss Fanfare - Richard Strauss

Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565 - J.S. Bach
transcribed by Ralph Sauer

Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber, op 11
arranged by Charles De Paolo

"The Godfather" Suite - Nino Rota and Carmen Copolla
arranged by Michael Johnson

Movie Magic (Theme from the Pink Panther, Ghostbusters, Arthur, Singing in the Rain, and Rocky)
arranged by Robert Elkjer

Imperial March from Star Wars the Empire Strikes Back - John Williams
arranged by James Nova

Star Wars Throne Room and Closing Tltles - John Williams
arranged by James Nova

Thank you for attending tonight's concert. If you would like to make a one time charitable contribution to help the MLMF provide mentoring, performing, and educational experiences to our young artists, please click on the link before.

On Saturday, July 25 at 7:00 PM, the Mountain Light Music Festival welcomes Windy City to the beautiful Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado for an evening celebrating some of the most iconic music ever written. Tickets are available at www.mountainlightmusicfestival.com.

​One of the most remarkable aspects of any successful musical ensemble is not simply the performance itself, but the relationships that make it possible. Every great band is a collection of unique personalities, talents, schedules, family commitments, and individual dreams that somehow align around a common purpose. Windy City is a perfect example of what can happen when that alignment occurs.

Founded in 2018 by drummer Jim Rosenthal, bassist Bob Rosen, and guitarist David Judson, Windy City grew out of a lifelong passion for the music of Chicago. With the addition of trombonist John Williams, an exceptional horn section, and a dedicated team of performers and crew, the group became far more than a tribute band. It became a brotherhood—a musical family united by a shared vision to faithfully recreate the timeless sound of one of America's most celebrated rock bands.
As Mountain Light Music Festival continues to expand, there is much we can learn from stories like Windy City's. Meaningful artistic endeavors are never built by one person alone. They emerge through trust, collaboration, sacrifice, and a willingness to pursue a common goal together. The same spirit fuels MLMF, where artists, students, faculty, volunteers, patrons, and community members come together to create something greater than themselves.

What makes Windy City's music so powerful is its ability to connect generations. Audience members frequently describe being transported back to high school dances, college memories, first loves, and defining moments of their lives. Songs become markers of personal history, allowing listeners to revisit treasured experiences through music. At the same time, younger audiences discover these songs for the first time and immediately connect with their extraordinary songwriting, musicianship, and unforgettable horn arrangements.

Music has a unique ability to be nostalgic without remaining stuck in the past. It can be healing, helping us reconnect with meaningful memories and relationships. Most importantly, it builds community. For a few hours, strangers become neighbors, singing the same words, sharing the same emotions, and experiencing the same joy.
"As the trumpet player for Windy City, I am very excited to be performing at the Mountain Light Music Festival! I started listening to Chicago on the radio in the mid-1970s, and the music really grabbed me. I remember hearing the trumpet player, and I honestly thought to myself, 'WOW! I will NEVER be able to play like that!' And now, here I am, playing with Windy City, performing my favorite songs LIVE. I never get tired of them, and I know that you will really enjoy hearing Windy City perform them for you too. I'm looking forward to seeing you there!"

​That reflection captures something profound about both Windy City and the Mountain Light Music Festival. Music has a way of planting seeds that may not blossom until years—or even decades—later. Young musicians are inspired by artists they admire, spend countless hours practicing, balancing careers and family responsibilities, and eventually find themselves sharing the very music that once inspired them. The journey from listener to performer is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the importance of community.

Adding another exciting dimension to this year's event will be acclaimed artist and speed painter Katie Von Kral (K.V.K.). Based in Arizona, Von Kral is a nationally recognized mixed-media artist whose work has been featured in major publications and commissioned by corporations and celebrities alike. She is particularly known for her energetic live speed-painting performances, creating dramatic works of art in minutes while performing before live audiences. Over the years, she has participated in fundraising events that have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes. Her work is deeply inspired by music, storytelling, faith, and a passion for bringing people together through creativity. [artbykvk.com]
During the concert, Katie will create a live painting inspired by the evening's music and atmosphere. Patrons will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a chance to take home her original artwork, making the evening a truly one-of-a-kind collaborative experience between visual art and live music.

​The partnership between Windy City, Katie Von Kral, and the Mountain Light Music Festival reflects a central belief at the heart of our organization: that the arts are ultimately about relationships. Whether through a song, a painting, a conversation, or a shared memory, the arts bring people together in ways few things can.
On July 25, audiences will experience more than a concert. They will witness what happens when musicians, artists, patrons, families, and a community unite around a shared vision. That vision—to inspire, connect, and enrich lives through extraordinary artistic experiences—remains at the core of the Mountain Light Music Festival.

Windy City
Saturday, July 25 | 7:00 PM
The Springs Resort | Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Featuring live speed painting by Katie Von Kral
Original artwork raffle benefiting the festival
Tickets: www.mountainlightmusicfestival.com