Dates
June 4-June 10, 2024 (arrive June 4, depart June 11 or later evening June 10)
Application Material Deadlines:
March 15, 2024 - $40 -Early Deadline(you can apply early for this rate and still submit audition later by April 1)
April 1, 2024 - $50 -Final Deadline
Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by April 1.
Location
Montague, Michigan
The Retreat uses facilities all around the town including the St. James Lutheran Church, The Book Nook & Java Shop, the North Grove Brewery, the Nuveen Center of the Arts Council of White Lake, and the Montague Band Shell
Free shuttle service will be provided from Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids or Muskegon County Airport.
Description
The Third Coast Trombone Retreat is an 7-day trombone immersion welcoming talented college, high school, and amateur trombonists from across the country to the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.
The Retreat takes place in the charming small town of Montague, MI. Truly an escape from the distractions of everyday life, the festival is nestled in a dense forest along the coast where happening across roaming deer is a common occurrence. The Retreat utilizes facilities all over the town from churches to coffee houses to historic barns to the beach. We will perform not only for ourselves, but for the community.
A fulfilling life of being a musician does not simply begin and end with winning an orchestral or teaching position. Mastering the instrument is only the first step. Being an artist in the 21st century requires discovering one's unique voice and finding new ways to present the art-form to communicate and contribute to society.
Core to the retreat will be guest artist and faculty recitals, topical master classes including personal finance, performance anxiety and wellness as well as private lessons, orchestral section seminar, ensemble coachings, a trombone choir, a mock orchestral audition, and much more. In addition to the performance elements, the curriculum is expanded to include a talks about career-building, faculty bonfire Q&A, discussions on the mental approach to auditions and performances, wellness, meditation, and more.
There are two levels of enrollment including Participants and Auditors. Enrollment for the Participant level is highly selective and limited to ensure ideal faculty/student ratio. See below for more details:
Participants
A select number of advanced players will be selected into the Participant level. This intensive program entitles participants to two lessons with TCTR Faculty/Guest Artists as well as a performance in a Faculty and Guest Faculty masterclass. You can also sign up for optional additional lessons. Participants will be placed in a chamber group as well as perform in the Anthony P. Hopkins Memorial Trombone Choir which will perform the final afternoon. Participant tuition is $700 with FREE housing included. Limited scholarships will be available! Participants willing to help drive other participants to events during the week will receive a small gas honorarium.
Auditors
Anyone with an interest watching and attending any master classes, coachings or rehearsals can as an auditor. Whether you are a trombonist of any level, teacher, parent or simply love the trombone, you are welcome to observe. Auditors do not need to submit an application or audition recording. Simply register for prior to the day(s) you plan to audit by contacting tromboneretreat@gmail.com. We cannot guarantee housing for auditors but there are many hotels and airbnb’s in the town. Daily rates for Auditors will be $40/day or $30/day for 3 days or more.
Average day at the retreat
10-12 Group warm up and trombone choir rehearsal
12-1 Lunch
1-4 Master class
4-6 Breakout sessions (coached quartet rehearsals, lessons, individual down time/practice time)
6-7 Dinner
7-8:30 Recital or concert
830-10 Receptions, bonfires, jam sessions, talks
Other special events will include a mock audition, music business lecture/forum, collage concert, faculty round table Q&A,, meditation, and discussions on mental approaches to performance. Good chance we’ll get out on the boats at some point too!
Housing
Free home-stays in the upscale communities of Whitehall and Montague will be made available to accepted Participants and a possible limited number of auditors. There are also many affordable area hotels and bed and breakfasts.
Lake Michigan view from Duck Lake State Park - June 2014.
This program is supported by the George E Hilt and Betty J. Hilt Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
Special thanks to the generous support of the Arts Council of White Lake
