Mountain Light Music Festival |
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MLMF 2025 Faculty
Brent Phillips has been professor of trombone at Baylor since 2004. He will be retiring in 2025 to pursue creative performance, festival development and other more focused teaching opportunities. He is the founding member and director of the Mountain Light Music Festival and is committed to seeing this festival become a multi week chamber and orchestral residency in Pagosa Springs Colorado.
In 2015 Mr. Phillips founded the Mountain Light Music Festival in Pagosa Springs Colorado which engages a cohort of professional performers, artists, faculty and students in a high altitude wilderness setting. This festival is the culmination of strenuous physical activity, intensive musical study and pedagogical exploration. This intensive one week music seminar serves as a creative cultural and professional mentoring endeavor with multiple faculty collaborating artistically, spiritually and academically. Fellows of the Mountain Light Music Festival are trained in creative business and executive arts leadership models by faculty currently leading non-profit development and performance.
Prior to his position at Baylor, Mr. Phillips was assistant principal trombone of “The President’s Own” US Marine Band in Washington DC and is currently principal trombone of the Abilene Philharmonic and the Waco Symphony Orchestra in Waco TX. He was the principal trombone of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra for 15 seasons while concurrently performing in the Marine Band.
Mr. Phillips has soloed with the “President’s Own” on thirty separate occasions and has been a featured soloist with the Harrisburg Symphony on five occasions. He continues to travel nationally and internationally as a featured soloist with orchestras.
In addition to performing as a soloist with the Marine Band, he has been invited to perform as a soloist at the 2005 and 2007 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington DC, the 2013 International Trombone Festival in Columbus GA and most recently was a featured performer at the American Trombone Workshop in 2025.
He has been an invited soloist and clinician around the world to include Ostend Belgium, Fasano Italy, Panama City Panama, and in prestigious universities and conservatories in the US and Europe. Mr. Phillips performed recitals and as an invited clinician and faculty in 2014 at “Trombonanza!” - a weeklong internationally renowned trombone festival and workshop in Santa Fe Argentina.
He is on the faculty at Round Top Festival Institute each summer and presents recitals, master classes and performs with other faculty in chamber music performances.
As trombonist with the “President’s Own” Mr. Phillips has gained extensive experience as a soloist. In the fall of 2000, Mr. Phillips was the soloist on the Marine Band’s fifty-two day national concert tour and has soloed numerous times with the Band at Wolf Trap Farm Park, Kennedy Center, and the National Mall. Mr. Phillips gave the world premiere of “Tarkus” by Scott McAllister, for trombone and orchestra with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra in May of 2007 and was an invited soloist at the prestigious Eastern Trombone Workshop performing “Tarkus” with the US Army Band in 2008. Mr. Phillips premiered “Tarkus” in Brussels and Ostend Belgium with the Belgium Radio Orchestra in 2009. The work received rave reviews and was featured in a recent New York Times article on trombone soloists and commissions along with works by Scott McAllister, Christian Lindberg, Melinda Wagner and Christopher Rouse.
Mr. Phillips performs regularly with the Dallas Symphony and has toured with the DSO to the Netherlands, Germany and Vienna in 2012 and performed with the DSO in the Vail Valley Music Festival. He also performs regularly with the Houston Symphony and has recent performances with the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Houston Grand Opera and Ballet. Additionally he has performed with the Dallas Opera, San Antonio Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, Fairfax Symphony and the Washington Symphonic Brass.
Mr Phillips has released three solo CDs on the Potenza Music label titled "Stepping Stones for Trombone" Volumes 1 and 2. “Stepping Stones for Trombone” is now available at Potenza Music and all major streaming platforms.
His most recent album "Meditations" is a tour de force of new repertoire and arrangements that has received stunning reviews and is available on all streaming platforms. He has also released and two chamber music CDs on the Albany Records label with Stentorian Consort. “Myths and Legends” features all premiere recordings by Stentorian Consort containing exclusive first recordings by Fisher Tull, Eric Ewazen, Charles Wourinen, Leslie Bassett and others. The Stentorian Consort’s second CD – “Diversions” is a highly acclaimed collaboration with Joseph Alessi (New York Philharmonic) and also features newly commissioned works for the trombone quartet and soloist. He can also be heard performing all of the trombone tracks on the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” and the Animal Planet’s “O’Shea’s Big Adventure.”
His latest recordings on YouTube feature the works of Stjepan Šulek and Frank Martin.
Mr. Phillips has been a featured artist at the Alessi Seminars in 2005, 2007 and in Italy in 2010 and remains active as a soloist and clinician around the country. Most recently, Mr. Phillips was a semi-finalist for the assistant principal trombone position with the New York Philharmonic and a semi-finalist for principal trombone in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. During his tenure at Baylor, Professor Phillips' students have been selected as finalist and winners of national and international solo competitions, quartet competitions, and continue to win auditions in full time professional orchestras and teaching posts at major universities.
Mr. Phillips grew up in Houston Texas and attended Westfield High School under Director of Bands, Philip Geiger. His primary teachers were members of the Houston Symphony and the Houston Grand Opera and included Jim Pedigo, David Waters and David Kirk. He also studied briefly with Alan Barnhill and John McCroskey of the Houston Symphony as well as Per Brevig of the New York Metropolitan Opera and John Kitzman of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Phillips received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree in trombone performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.
In 2015 Mr. Phillips founded the Mountain Light Music Festival in Pagosa Springs Colorado which engages a cohort of professional performers, artists, faculty and students in a high altitude wilderness setting. This festival is the culmination of strenuous physical activity, intensive musical study and pedagogical exploration. This intensive one week music seminar serves as a creative cultural and professional mentoring endeavor with multiple faculty collaborating artistically, spiritually and academically. Fellows of the Mountain Light Music Festival are trained in creative business and executive arts leadership models by faculty currently leading non-profit development and performance.
Prior to his position at Baylor, Mr. Phillips was assistant principal trombone of “The President’s Own” US Marine Band in Washington DC and is currently principal trombone of the Abilene Philharmonic and the Waco Symphony Orchestra in Waco TX. He was the principal trombone of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra for 15 seasons while concurrently performing in the Marine Band.
Mr. Phillips has soloed with the “President’s Own” on thirty separate occasions and has been a featured soloist with the Harrisburg Symphony on five occasions. He continues to travel nationally and internationally as a featured soloist with orchestras.
In addition to performing as a soloist with the Marine Band, he has been invited to perform as a soloist at the 2005 and 2007 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington DC, the 2013 International Trombone Festival in Columbus GA and most recently was a featured performer at the American Trombone Workshop in 2025.
He has been an invited soloist and clinician around the world to include Ostend Belgium, Fasano Italy, Panama City Panama, and in prestigious universities and conservatories in the US and Europe. Mr. Phillips performed recitals and as an invited clinician and faculty in 2014 at “Trombonanza!” - a weeklong internationally renowned trombone festival and workshop in Santa Fe Argentina.
He is on the faculty at Round Top Festival Institute each summer and presents recitals, master classes and performs with other faculty in chamber music performances.
As trombonist with the “President’s Own” Mr. Phillips has gained extensive experience as a soloist. In the fall of 2000, Mr. Phillips was the soloist on the Marine Band’s fifty-two day national concert tour and has soloed numerous times with the Band at Wolf Trap Farm Park, Kennedy Center, and the National Mall. Mr. Phillips gave the world premiere of “Tarkus” by Scott McAllister, for trombone and orchestra with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra in May of 2007 and was an invited soloist at the prestigious Eastern Trombone Workshop performing “Tarkus” with the US Army Band in 2008. Mr. Phillips premiered “Tarkus” in Brussels and Ostend Belgium with the Belgium Radio Orchestra in 2009. The work received rave reviews and was featured in a recent New York Times article on trombone soloists and commissions along with works by Scott McAllister, Christian Lindberg, Melinda Wagner and Christopher Rouse.
Mr. Phillips performs regularly with the Dallas Symphony and has toured with the DSO to the Netherlands, Germany and Vienna in 2012 and performed with the DSO in the Vail Valley Music Festival. He also performs regularly with the Houston Symphony and has recent performances with the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Houston Grand Opera and Ballet. Additionally he has performed with the Dallas Opera, San Antonio Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, Fairfax Symphony and the Washington Symphonic Brass.
Mr Phillips has released three solo CDs on the Potenza Music label titled "Stepping Stones for Trombone" Volumes 1 and 2. “Stepping Stones for Trombone” is now available at Potenza Music and all major streaming platforms.
His most recent album "Meditations" is a tour de force of new repertoire and arrangements that has received stunning reviews and is available on all streaming platforms. He has also released and two chamber music CDs on the Albany Records label with Stentorian Consort. “Myths and Legends” features all premiere recordings by Stentorian Consort containing exclusive first recordings by Fisher Tull, Eric Ewazen, Charles Wourinen, Leslie Bassett and others. The Stentorian Consort’s second CD – “Diversions” is a highly acclaimed collaboration with Joseph Alessi (New York Philharmonic) and also features newly commissioned works for the trombone quartet and soloist. He can also be heard performing all of the trombone tracks on the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” and the Animal Planet’s “O’Shea’s Big Adventure.”
His latest recordings on YouTube feature the works of Stjepan Šulek and Frank Martin.
Mr. Phillips has been a featured artist at the Alessi Seminars in 2005, 2007 and in Italy in 2010 and remains active as a soloist and clinician around the country. Most recently, Mr. Phillips was a semi-finalist for the assistant principal trombone position with the New York Philharmonic and a semi-finalist for principal trombone in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. During his tenure at Baylor, Professor Phillips' students have been selected as finalist and winners of national and international solo competitions, quartet competitions, and continue to win auditions in full time professional orchestras and teaching posts at major universities.
Mr. Phillips grew up in Houston Texas and attended Westfield High School under Director of Bands, Philip Geiger. His primary teachers were members of the Houston Symphony and the Houston Grand Opera and included Jim Pedigo, David Waters and David Kirk. He also studied briefly with Alan Barnhill and John McCroskey of the Houston Symphony as well as Per Brevig of the New York Metropolitan Opera and John Kitzman of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Phillips received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree in trombone performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.
Dr. Jonathan Whitaker has recently been appointed as Clinical Professor of Trombone at the University of Illinois. Whitaker joined the faculty of the University of Alabama in the fall of 2009. At Alabama, Whitaker’s students have been tremendously successful in national and international solo competitions as well as being placed in some of the nation’s top summer music festivals.
The University of Alabama Trombone Choir has given performances at the 2010 Eastern Trombone Workshop, the 2011 International Trombone Festival in Nashville, TN, the 2013 International Trombone Festival in Columbus, GA and the 2018 American Trombone Workshop. Whitaker has also appeared twice as a performer and clinician at the American Trombone Workshop and two International Trombone Festivals. Whitaker is in great demand as a guest artist and has appeared at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country including The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Yale University, Indiana University and many more.
As a soloist, Whitaker can be heard on numerous recordings including the 2018 release of his second solo recording entitled “Paceline” and his debut solo recording entitled “Nature’s Gift” with pianist Kevin Chance. He is a featured soloist on two recordings with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble that include Anthony Barfield’s “Red Sky” and David Maslanka’s Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble. These recordings are available at www.jonathanwhitaker.com.
Whitaker has been very active in commissioning new works for the trombone. In 2019, he gave the world premiere of Scott McAllister’s Atipa-Tcoba at the American Bandmasters Association National Conference with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble. Other notable commissions and premieres include Nicola Ferro’s Mega for solo trombone and wind ensemble (2016) and Jim Stephenson’s Three Bones Concerto (2013) commissioned for the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble along with Joseph Alessi and Peter Ellefson. He also performed the work at the 2013 Eastern Trombone Workshop with the United States Army Band “The Pershing’s Own.” He is also responsible for the commissioning of Eric Ewazen’s Visions of Light as well as several other compositions including music for trombone and piano, unaccompanied trombone and trombone choir. Whitaker also is the author of the trombone version of the popular method The Brass Gym and has several published arrangements with Alessi Publications.
In 2012, Whitaker made his Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist at the New York Wind Band Festival. He has appeared as a soloist with all the wind groups at Indiana University, the Augustana College Symphonic Band, the Purdue University Symphony Orchestra, the Henderson State University Wind Ensemble and performed a premier performance of John Mackey’s Harvest: Concerto for Trombone with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble in the fall of 2010. He also performed the American premier of Johan de Meij’s T-Bone Concerto with the Murray State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Whitaker has performed with the New York Philharmonic on three separate occasions including the orchestra’s 2012 Opening Gala that was broadcast on Live from Lincoln Center on PBS with music director Alan Gilbert. He performs regularly with the Alabama Symphony and has also held positions and performed with the Harrisburg Symphony (PA), Mobile Symphony (AL), Arkansas Symphony, Pine Bluff Symphony (AR), Shreveport Symphony (LA), South Arkansas Symphony, Duluth-Superior Symphony (MN), Owensboro Symphony (KY), Evansville Philharmonic (IN), Richmond Symphony (IN), Jackson Symphony (TN) and the Paducah Symphony (KY).
Whitaker holds degrees in trombone performance from Murray State University and the University of Minnesota and the Doctor of Music degree in Brass Pedagogy at Indiana University. Dr. Whitaker’s primary teachers include Ray Conklin, Tom Ashworth, M. Dee Stewart, Peter Ellefson and Joseph Alessi with additional studies with Arnold Jacobs, Edward Kleinhammer, Michael Mulcahy, Charlie Vernon and Douglas Wright.
Jonathan Whitaker is an Edwards Artist and performs on Griego Mouthpieces.
The University of Alabama Trombone Choir has given performances at the 2010 Eastern Trombone Workshop, the 2011 International Trombone Festival in Nashville, TN, the 2013 International Trombone Festival in Columbus, GA and the 2018 American Trombone Workshop. Whitaker has also appeared twice as a performer and clinician at the American Trombone Workshop and two International Trombone Festivals. Whitaker is in great demand as a guest artist and has appeared at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country including The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Yale University, Indiana University and many more.
As a soloist, Whitaker can be heard on numerous recordings including the 2018 release of his second solo recording entitled “Paceline” and his debut solo recording entitled “Nature’s Gift” with pianist Kevin Chance. He is a featured soloist on two recordings with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble that include Anthony Barfield’s “Red Sky” and David Maslanka’s Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble. These recordings are available at www.jonathanwhitaker.com.
Whitaker has been very active in commissioning new works for the trombone. In 2019, he gave the world premiere of Scott McAllister’s Atipa-Tcoba at the American Bandmasters Association National Conference with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble. Other notable commissions and premieres include Nicola Ferro’s Mega for solo trombone and wind ensemble (2016) and Jim Stephenson’s Three Bones Concerto (2013) commissioned for the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble along with Joseph Alessi and Peter Ellefson. He also performed the work at the 2013 Eastern Trombone Workshop with the United States Army Band “The Pershing’s Own.” He is also responsible for the commissioning of Eric Ewazen’s Visions of Light as well as several other compositions including music for trombone and piano, unaccompanied trombone and trombone choir. Whitaker also is the author of the trombone version of the popular method The Brass Gym and has several published arrangements with Alessi Publications.
In 2012, Whitaker made his Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist at the New York Wind Band Festival. He has appeared as a soloist with all the wind groups at Indiana University, the Augustana College Symphonic Band, the Purdue University Symphony Orchestra, the Henderson State University Wind Ensemble and performed a premier performance of John Mackey’s Harvest: Concerto for Trombone with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble in the fall of 2010. He also performed the American premier of Johan de Meij’s T-Bone Concerto with the Murray State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Whitaker has performed with the New York Philharmonic on three separate occasions including the orchestra’s 2012 Opening Gala that was broadcast on Live from Lincoln Center on PBS with music director Alan Gilbert. He performs regularly with the Alabama Symphony and has also held positions and performed with the Harrisburg Symphony (PA), Mobile Symphony (AL), Arkansas Symphony, Pine Bluff Symphony (AR), Shreveport Symphony (LA), South Arkansas Symphony, Duluth-Superior Symphony (MN), Owensboro Symphony (KY), Evansville Philharmonic (IN), Richmond Symphony (IN), Jackson Symphony (TN) and the Paducah Symphony (KY).
Whitaker holds degrees in trombone performance from Murray State University and the University of Minnesota and the Doctor of Music degree in Brass Pedagogy at Indiana University. Dr. Whitaker’s primary teachers include Ray Conklin, Tom Ashworth, M. Dee Stewart, Peter Ellefson and Joseph Alessi with additional studies with Arnold Jacobs, Edward Kleinhammer, Michael Mulcahy, Charlie Vernon and Douglas Wright.
Jonathan Whitaker is an Edwards Artist and performs on Griego Mouthpieces.
Bradley White, trombone, joined the Houston Symphony in the fall of 2001 as Associate Principal and Second Trombone. He is a native Houstonian and earned his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in 1993. He went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he received a Master of Music in 1997. White has performed with Ambient Brass, the Houston Ballet and Grand Opera Orchestras, and the San Antonio and Hawaii Symphonies.
Dr. Steve Wilson is Professor of Trombone at the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. Wilson received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and holds both a Master’s degree and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Dr. Wilson has been active nationally and internationally as a soloist, as a member of the Continental Trombone Quartet, and as a member of the Jim Widner Big Band. He has given recitals and master classes at the Midwest Clinic, the Jazz Educators Network National Conference, the International Association of Jazz Educators National Conference, the International Trombone Festival in Brazil and China, the American Trombone Workshop in Washington, D.C., the International College Music Society Conference, the International Vernacular Congress, the Texas Band Masters Association Convention in San Antonio, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the Brazilian National Trombone Association, and at numerous universities across the United States. His most recent collaborations have been with Bruce Adolphe, Director of Family Concerts for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Mike Block, Kaoru Watanabe, and Shane Shannon of The Silk Road Ensemble, in a new chamber music work for bass trombone, piano, cello, shinobue, and percussion in a series of performances at the Off the Hook Arts Festival in Colorado, Princeton University, and a sell-out performance at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.
Dr. Wilson's article, "Bringing Out the Inner Animal: How to Get the Most Out of Your Bass Trombonist" has been published in the Texas Bandmaster's Review and reprinted in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine.
Dr. Wilson has been active nationally and internationally as a soloist, as a member of the Continental Trombone Quartet, and as a member of the Jim Widner Big Band. He has given recitals and master classes at the Midwest Clinic, the Jazz Educators Network National Conference, the International Association of Jazz Educators National Conference, the International Trombone Festival in Brazil and China, the American Trombone Workshop in Washington, D.C., the International College Music Society Conference, the International Vernacular Congress, the Texas Band Masters Association Convention in San Antonio, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the Brazilian National Trombone Association, and at numerous universities across the United States. His most recent collaborations have been with Bruce Adolphe, Director of Family Concerts for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Mike Block, Kaoru Watanabe, and Shane Shannon of The Silk Road Ensemble, in a new chamber music work for bass trombone, piano, cello, shinobue, and percussion in a series of performances at the Off the Hook Arts Festival in Colorado, Princeton University, and a sell-out performance at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.
Dr. Wilson's article, "Bringing Out the Inner Animal: How to Get the Most Out of Your Bass Trombonist" has been published in the Texas Bandmaster's Review and reprinted in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine.
In Partnership with Voice of Wilderness
The primary goal of Voice of Wilderness is to communicate the reality of Jesus Christ and the practical application of the teachings found in the books of the Bible. In a complex society such as ours, man has virtually ignored this vital part of an educational process. We use the wilderness setting as a tool to relate Biblical principles to the everyday needs of the individual. God used the wilderness to deal with His people; Moses, Elijah, David, John the Baptist, and Jesus were all led into the solitude of their natural environments to reflect and develop.
Where life is basic, man is more likely to realize his need for dependence on his Creator. Here, an individual can see God's creation and understand more of His power. Free from day to day distractions, one can clearly examine the life Christ claimed to give.
The wilderness is truly a voice that declares God's "invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature." (Romans 1:20)
Where life is basic, man is more likely to realize his need for dependence on his Creator. Here, an individual can see God's creation and understand more of His power. Free from day to day distractions, one can clearly examine the life Christ claimed to give.
The wilderness is truly a voice that declares God's "invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature." (Romans 1:20)
Founders, History, and Vision
Mission - An exclusive chamber music festival located in Pagosa Springs CO featuring musicians of the highest caliber. Based at the Mountain Light Lodge, this week long festival of chamber music seeks to inspire and engage audiences in Pagosa Springs CO. Students will discover their true musical identity and find purpose in their creative pursuits while working alongside world class faculty.
History:
This is the fifth year of the Mountain Light Music Festival. The festival was featured as a trombone summit in 2015 with students and faculty from SMU, Rice, University of Houston, Houston Grand Opera, Baylor, University of Texas El Paso, University of Alabama and more. We are excited to present the Mountain Light Festival Trombone Choir at Keyah Grande on Friday August 6th, 2021. We needed to stay home in 2020 but can't wait to be back in the mountains this August.
The Baylor Brass was in residency in 2017 and 2018 and performed concerts for the Cade Mountain Community at the Mountain Light Lodge and performed to a sold out audience at the Wyndham Resort, Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association Club House and Community United Methodist Church. We are grateful to our sponsors: Pagosa Springs Sun, Choke Cherry Tree, Click Printing, Three Chicks and a Hippy, Voice of Wilderness, Bookends, Pagosa Springs Area Chamber, and Airport Self-Storage. We are looking for long-term underwriters to help this festival continue its growth and bring other instrumental genres to Pagosa.
Vision:
I sincerely believe that with your help, we can build a world class venue in Pagosa Springs and host a uniquely intimate and inspiring summer long music festival. Pagosa will be the summer home of world class faculty and students who will live here and perform in our homes, at the Mountain Light Lodge, Keyah Grande, the Springs, and ultimately on a newly built summer stage! Imagine sponsoring a string quartet or a jazz trio, or underwriting a symphony orchestra and top tier soloist, and being a part of this exciting startup here in Pagosa!
We believe in mentoring students and building community at Mountain Light Music. I have been fortunate to teach many talented young musicians who have gone on to great success. MLMF is unique because our mission is one of spiritual value. Students discover how to place their trust in what is eternal, rather than a position or a title. We play music because we are inspired - not because we want attention. Help me share these truths about performance, art, community, and the gift of music with these wonderful students.
Founder, Director
This is the fifth year of the Mountain Light Music Festival. The festival was featured as a trombone summit in 2015 with students and faculty from SMU, Rice, University of Houston, Houston Grand Opera, Baylor, University of Texas El Paso, University of Alabama and more. We are excited to present the Mountain Light Festival Trombone Choir at Keyah Grande on Friday August 6th, 2021. We needed to stay home in 2020 but can't wait to be back in the mountains this August.
The Baylor Brass was in residency in 2017 and 2018 and performed concerts for the Cade Mountain Community at the Mountain Light Lodge and performed to a sold out audience at the Wyndham Resort, Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association Club House and Community United Methodist Church. We are grateful to our sponsors: Pagosa Springs Sun, Choke Cherry Tree, Click Printing, Three Chicks and a Hippy, Voice of Wilderness, Bookends, Pagosa Springs Area Chamber, and Airport Self-Storage. We are looking for long-term underwriters to help this festival continue its growth and bring other instrumental genres to Pagosa.
Vision:
I sincerely believe that with your help, we can build a world class venue in Pagosa Springs and host a uniquely intimate and inspiring summer long music festival. Pagosa will be the summer home of world class faculty and students who will live here and perform in our homes, at the Mountain Light Lodge, Keyah Grande, the Springs, and ultimately on a newly built summer stage! Imagine sponsoring a string quartet or a jazz trio, or underwriting a symphony orchestra and top tier soloist, and being a part of this exciting startup here in Pagosa!
We believe in mentoring students and building community at Mountain Light Music. I have been fortunate to teach many talented young musicians who have gone on to great success. MLMF is unique because our mission is one of spiritual value. Students discover how to place their trust in what is eternal, rather than a position or a title. We play music because we are inspired - not because we want attention. Help me share these truths about performance, art, community, and the gift of music with these wonderful students.
Founder, Director
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Over 30 years ago, Chet Russell had the vision of adding a music component to Voice of Wilderness programing. Raised by a mother who studied as a concert pianist, Chet was keenly aware of the power of music to the soul.
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Brent Phillips has been on the faculty at Baylor since 2004 and prior to that was a soloist and trombonist with the "President's Own" US Marine Band - Washington DC. As a young boy, he began backpacking and rock climbing as a participant on VOW trips with Chet.
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