The trombones have landed! Program notes

Thursday Liberty Theatre program order:

National Anthem
Fanfare - James Kazik
Sancta Maria - Giovanni Gabrieli
Canzona for Eight Trombones - Walter Hartley
Ave Maria, from Vespers Op. 37 no 6 - Sergei Rachmaninoff
Giant's Tale - Stephen Verhelst
El Capitan, Manhattan Beach, Stars and Stripes Forever - J. Philip Sousa
America the Beautiful - Samuel Ward
Arms Forces Medley 

Intermission - specialty mocktails and drinks, Riff Raff Brewing, popcorn and treats before the movies begin!!

Planet Krypton from Superman - Williams
Parade of the Charioteers from Ben Hur - Miklos Rozsa
Star Trek 2009 - Michael Giacchino
Closing Credits from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - Williams
Star Wars!
Star Wars Main Title: The Battle Over Coruscant - Williams
The Flag Parade
Mandalorian
Emperor's Theme
Imperial March
Yoda's Theme
Star Wars Throne Room and Closing Titles

Your favorite movie scores, popular tunes and patriotic songs are coming to Pagosa Springs this summer!
The Mountain Light Music Festival returns for two special live concerts at Liberty Theater and the Mountain Light Meadow, July 31 and August 1, 2025. Take in the power of live music performed by top musicians, in Pagosa’s own unique, summery settings.

We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about this annual local favorite:

Where Music Meets the Outdoors
Now in its 10th season, the Mountain Light Music Festival (MLMF) is an exclusive chamber music festival that makes its home in Pagosa Springs, CO. For two weeks in the summer, top musicians from around the country trade in the concert hall for the for the fresh air and breathtaking views of Colorado.

The visionary festival was founded in 2015 trombonist Brent Phillips, who is on faculty at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. As a boy, Phillips visited Pagosa each summer to participate in Voice of the Wilderness (VOW) outdoor adventures led by Chet Russel, backpacking through the glorious San Juan mountains and forests. When the former “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band trombonist became a professor at Baylor University, Pagosa kept calling him back, and he launched MLMF through VOW in a fruitful, decade-long partnership.

Directed by Phillips and faculty Jon Whitaker, MLMF accepts an elite pool of collegiate musicians to participate each summer. The group is frequently joined by professional guest artists from University Texas El Paso, the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Baylor University and more.

Thursday, July 31: Trombone Summit at Liberty Theatre
What better place to hear movie music than the classic Liberty Theatre? Cool off with music from big screen favorites like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Star Trek, Ben Hur, and get in the summer spirit with American patriotic themes. Join us for a tribute to our armed forces and our America the Beautiful with the magnificent festival Trombone Choir. Top off your evening with beverages in the lobby sold by Riff Raff Brewing. Bring the whole family—this two-hour concert with one intermission is a great way to engage young ears.
Meet and greet following the concert. Be sure and join us up at the lodge tomorrow night (August 1st 6PM)

Concert: 7 p.m.
Doors open: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Liberty Theatre (418 Pagosa Street Pagosa Springs, CO 81147)
Tickets are $28.52 on Eventbrite >

Friday, August 1: Friends of Mountain Light Music Festival Concert at the Meadow FREE
Your stage is a meadow and your backdrop is the mountains for this free evening of music. Grab your picnic, drinks and camp chairs to take in the luminous sunset and music in a spectacular alpine setting. Hop in your ATV and side-by-side or take a vehicle up to trek up to the meadow, then stay for a reception with light bites. All are welcome to this free outdoor event.

Concert: 6 p.m.
Meadow opens: 5 p.m.
Where: 300C Columbine Court Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Map and turn by turn directions provided on the Eventbrite link below.
Tickets are not required, but charitable gifts are welcomed on Eventbrite >
​
2025 Artists
Faculty
Jonathan Whitaker
Professor of Trombone, University of Illinois
Steve Wilson
Professor of Trombone, University of Texas El Paso
Brad White
Associate Principal Trombone, ​Houston Symphony
Brent Phillips
Affiliate Artist, University of Houston
​Professor of Trombone, Baylor University (retired)
Collin Williams - special guest 
Associate Principal Trombone, New York Philharmonic
John Williams - special guest, 
Windy City Chicago Tribute Band trombonist, Mountain Light Music Festival consultant, mentor, development

Young Artists
Kizer Brown University of ​Arkansas
Adam Almeter University of Illinois
Jonathan Kirchem University of Illinois
Jackson Parker University of Illinois
Nolan White University of Illinois
Matt Williamson University of Illinois
Isiah Vasquez Rice University
Gannon Allen Baylor University
Matthew Willingham Baylor University
Grace Lipscomb Baylor University
Tayton Crutsinger Baylor University
Santi Amieva Baylor University
​Wyatt Bond Baylor University