MLMF Musician Info - Trombone Summit 2026 - July 26 - August 1
Info coming soon!
Please fill out the MLMF survey ASAP so we have your contact info, medical info, dietary considerations, and travel schedules.
May 30 update!
We welcome you to this elite trombone summit. We have been doing this since 2015 and there have been many illustrious alumni and faculty. The mission of the MLMF began here, with the Trombone Summit. It has evolved, over these past 11 years to something much bigger yet the vision remains.
"At the core of our mission are four guiding pillars: Music, Adventure, Mentorship, and Purpose. Mountain Light Music Festival hosts world-class artists, professional music faculty, and passionate student fellows to create a community devoted to artistic discovery. As they soar toward future careers, fellows explore their truest musical identity while learning from mentors who value curiosity, authenticity, and expressive depth.
But Mountain Light is more than a festival—it’s an experience shaped by the land itself. Adventure is woven into our artistic process, inviting participants to engage with the natural world through guided excursions, quiet moments in the meadow, and the shared experience of making music in a place untouched by distraction. Here, art and nature are not separate; they inform, challenge, and inspire one another.
Every performance, workshop, and conversation is designed with purpose—to cultivate meaningful artistry, build connections across generations of musicians, and reimagine what a music festival can be when creativity is allowed to roam freely in the wild. At Mountain Light Music Festival, we believe the mountains help reveal who we are as artists—and who we can become."
The MLMF Survey has been a challenge but I think it is updated and everyone should be able to access and submit now!
We need three things from you:
1) headshot and very brief bio for the website and program
2) upload your medical coverage ID cards and complete registration.
Those should now be options to upload in the above survey.
3) Social Media
Please like and share all MLMF FB and IG posts to your personal pages. This will help us in many ways.
As you are aware, we do not charge tuition for our fellows to participate. All revenue for MLMF is generated through private donors, sponsorships, and ticket sales. It would mean a great deal to me if you would consider posting something to this effect on your social media pages:
"I can't wait to be a part of the MLMF Trombone Summit this summer in Pagosa Springs Colorado. I will be participating as a fellow in master classes, rehearsals, concerts at the Liberty Theatre and working alongside amazing friends, and great faculty. Funding for fellows do not pay tuition and are sponsored through private donations. Please consider making a donation in my name to the MLMF. Thank you!"
Include this link in your posts:
https://www.mountainlightmusicfestival.com/store/p43/MLMFcharitablecontribution.html
Last year's schedule is posted below, we will change some things, adding in more quartet coaching, more or less fishing, new meals, with similar performances at Riff Raff, Liberty Theatre, Mountain Light Lodge, and an open rehearsal at the Pagosa Springs sculpture gardens.
Schedule
Rooming list will be available soon. Repertoire and part assignments are coming. All new music this year.
Keep checking back here for bi-weekly updates.
We welcome you to this elite trombone summit. We have been doing this since 2015 and there have been many illustrious alumni and faculty. The mission of the MLMF began here, with the Trombone Summit. It has evolved, over these past 11 years to something much bigger yet the vision remains.
"At the core of our mission are four guiding pillars: Music, Adventure, Mentorship, and Purpose. Mountain Light Music Festival hosts world-class artists, professional music faculty, and passionate student fellows to create a community devoted to artistic discovery. As they soar toward future careers, fellows explore their truest musical identity while learning from mentors who value curiosity, authenticity, and expressive depth.
But Mountain Light is more than a festival—it’s an experience shaped by the land itself. Adventure is woven into our artistic process, inviting participants to engage with the natural world through guided excursions, quiet moments in the meadow, and the shared experience of making music in a place untouched by distraction. Here, art and nature are not separate; they inform, challenge, and inspire one another.
Every performance, workshop, and conversation is designed with purpose—to cultivate meaningful artistry, build connections across generations of musicians, and reimagine what a music festival can be when creativity is allowed to roam freely in the wild. At Mountain Light Music Festival, we believe the mountains help reveal who we are as artists—and who we can become."
The MLMF Survey has been a challenge but I think it is updated and everyone should be able to access and submit now!
We need three things from you:
1) headshot and very brief bio for the website and program
2) upload your medical coverage ID cards and complete registration.
Those should now be options to upload in the above survey.
3) Social Media
Please like and share all MLMF FB and IG posts to your personal pages. This will help us in many ways.
As you are aware, we do not charge tuition for our fellows to participate. All revenue for MLMF is generated through private donors, sponsorships, and ticket sales. It would mean a great deal to me if you would consider posting something to this effect on your social media pages:
"I can't wait to be a part of the MLMF Trombone Summit this summer in Pagosa Springs Colorado. I will be participating as a fellow in master classes, rehearsals, concerts at the Liberty Theatre and working alongside amazing friends, and great faculty. Funding for fellows do not pay tuition and are sponsored through private donations. Please consider making a donation in my name to the MLMF. Thank you!"
Include this link in your posts:
https://www.mountainlightmusicfestival.com/store/p43/MLMFcharitablecontribution.html
Last year's schedule is posted below, we will change some things, adding in more quartet coaching, more or less fishing, new meals, with similar performances at Riff Raff, Liberty Theatre, Mountain Light Lodge, and an open rehearsal at the Pagosa Springs sculpture gardens.
Schedule
Rooming list will be available soon. Repertoire and part assignments are coming. All new music this year.
Keep checking back here for bi-weekly updates.
Personnel 2026:
Adam Almeter
Jonathan Kirchem
Jackson Parker
Nolan White
Matt Williamson
Logan Thurman (intern)
Rayvon Allen - bass
Judith Olivas
Faculty:
Brent Phillips - Professor of Trombone - University of Houston
John Whitaker - Professor of Trombone - University of Illinois
Steve Wilson - Professor of Trombone - University of Texas El Paso
Brad White - Associate Principal Trombone - Houston Symphony
Staff:
Chet Russell - Explorer/VOW founder
Tim Cagle - guide
Marcos Omelanczuk - guide
Adam Almeter
Jonathan Kirchem
Jackson Parker
Nolan White
Matt Williamson
Logan Thurman (intern)
Rayvon Allen - bass
Judith Olivas
Faculty:
Brent Phillips - Professor of Trombone - University of Houston
John Whitaker - Professor of Trombone - University of Illinois
Steve Wilson - Professor of Trombone - University of Texas El Paso
Brad White - Associate Principal Trombone - Houston Symphony
Staff:
Chet Russell - Explorer/VOW founder
Tim Cagle - guide
Marcos Omelanczuk - guide
What to bring:
- Towel for use during the week
- Hiking shoes or sturdy tennis shoes
- Rain jacket, fleece
- Flashlight or headlamp.
- Music, mutes and instruments - bring you iPad if you like but have a backup. I will not have parts for you!
- Any other personal items, games, books, no TV or internet. We will make frequent trips into town. There is a landline. If you need to get email Monday or Tuesday, we can drive down the mountain to a special spot that gets a great signal.. Let me know.
- Hat
- Swimsuit for the Hot Springs
- Water bottle - drink as much as you possibly can all day
- Bug spray - flies and mosquitos are troublesome at times.
- Journal with pen and paper
- You may download a printable checklist here but this is for extended backcountry trips.
Climate and what to wear:
Concert Dress:
- We will be at 9,400 feet so it will be pleasant and cool in the evenings
- Bring a rain jacket or poncho for a possible day hike
- We provide day packs for day hikes
- Shorts and t-shirts during the day and jeans at night, you will need a fleece every night by 5PM
Concert Dress:
- Wednesday at Riff Raff Brewing - fishing day, casual
- Thursday at Liberty Theatre - black pants, colorful long sleeve shirt with collar, not white or black (faculty will wear black if desired). This is a new update!
- Friday at Mountain Light Lodge - jeans and colorful polo for photo opp.
Voice of Wilderness Trip Registration and Medical
VOW is the non profit parent organization that hosts the Mountain Light Music Festival. The MLMF is part of the "Partnership Series" hosted by VOW. There are two more steps in addition to the above application:
Complete VOW registration process
Complete VOW registration process
- Registration form - trip price is free.
- Please complete the medical release form - this is absolutely necessary for us to run day trips and operate in the San Juan National Forest and Weminuche Wilderness areas. Required by the US Forest Service and for us to maintain official guide service status through Voice of Wilderness
- Trip Preparation and VOW checklist
Musician Survey - please complete by July 1st
Daily schedule
Concert information and Tickets
Repertoire - a link to part assignments will be sent by email
Thursday Liberty Theatre program order:
TBA
TBA
Directions to the Lodge
Mountain Light Lodge: 970-264-2961
Brent Phillips: 254-644-7605
When to arrive:
Brent Phillips: 254-644-7605
When to arrive:
- We will meet you at the Subway sandwich shop in Pagosa on Sunday at 3 and 5 PM.
- The lodge is a 20 minute drive from the Subway deli downtown at the corner of Main Street and North 5th. The gate combination code is 3030
