I never played in a large trombone ensemble and it felt amazing!
-2022 Camper Testimonial
I loved meeting new people who play the same instrument
-2022 Camper Testimonial
I did two solos in the jam session and I crushed both of them. I had such a great time.
-2022 Camper Testimonial
June 11 @ 2:00 pm - June 16 @ 7:00 pm
For students completing grades 6-12; Adult Registration as commuter only and with instructor consent.
Final Concert:
Friday, June 16, 2023 at 5pm at the Shell Lake Band Shell. (Darrell Aderman Auditorium in case of inclement weather)
Trombone Workshop is a fun, transformational experience aimed at increasing musicianship in any trombonist-from beginner to advanced player. It is an opportunity for middle and high school students to play and study trombone with professional trombonists Dr. Phil Ostrander and a staff of amazing trombonists from the Upper Midwest. Trombone students play in large and small trombone ensembles, study privately and perform together in a final concert. Students that play Bass Trombone will be provided instruction as well. We also practice and perform a wide variety of musical styles including chamber music and jazz improvisation.
Afternoon sessions are spent exploring Shell Lake with fellow campers, visit the beach and swimming in Shell Lake, shops, and hiking on our beautiful hiking trails behind the lodges.
"Slide" into Shell Lake this summer with "Trombone Workshop!"
Placement Screening:
Participants should be prepared to play a selection of their choosing. For students that do not have a solo piece prepared, they should be able to play a concert Bb, Eb and Ab scales.
Daily Schedule
7:15 Wake Up
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Group Warm Up
9:45 Large Group Rehearsal
10:30 Octet Rehearsals (Groups of 8 Trombonists with like abilities and skills)
11:00 Roundtable Discussions (Equipment, Quartets, Question and Answer Sessions)
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Jazz Improvisation (grouped by like abilities and skills)-No Experience needed
2:00 Trombone Quartet Rehearsals
3:00 Free Time/Private Lesson (each participant receives a private lesson during the course of the week)
5:00 Dinner
7:00 Evening Concerts/Camp Activities
10:30 Lights Out
Phil Ostrander is Professor of Trombone and Bands at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he conducts the Symphony Band, teaches private trombone, and trombone ensemble. Dr. Ostrander completed his doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Ostrander received master’s degrees in both trombone and wind conducting from the New England Conservatory, as well as a bachelor’s and Performer’s Certificate from Eastman. Dr. Ostrander champions diversity in repertoire with the UWEC Symphony Band. The band performs music composed by under-represented composers in every concert, and since 2017, the ensemble’s first concert of the year celebrates music written by female…
Learn More
John Tranter
University of Minnesota, Minnesota Opera Orchestra
Carson King-Fournier
St. Benedict/St. Johns, Carleton College, Minnesota Orchestra
Joshua Becker
South Metro ISD. 196
Chris Caine
Freelance Trombonist, Twin Cities
Questions? Feel free to contact us for any additional information.
Accommodations ~ Lodges are available for the duration of the camp session. They are supervised by a professional counseling staff on duty 24 hours each day and meals are prepared under the supervision of a state-approved dietitian.
Commuter students are expected to remain at camp until the day's activities are completed (Typically 9:am-8pm).
Registrations ~ Online registrations are accepted until the camp is full. Students may be placed on a waiting list if desired. A camp registration form is sent after payment is received. All cancellations must be made in writing and received 3 weeks in advance of the start of camp for a full refund. A $75.00 fee will be deducted from your refund. Refunds less than three weeks before camp will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Residential Tuition~Our student tuition is $725 per student and includes instructional fees, room and board and a camp t shirt which will be worn at the final performance. Please refer to the registration materials found on our registration site at Ultracamp for complete details. A $100 down payment is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance can be paid at the time of registration or in equal monthly installments. All Tuition must be paid before arrival at camp.
Commuter Tuition~This option is for campers that want to attend our camps but not stay in our dorms, The $400 tuition covers instructional fees, a camp T-Shirt which will be worn at the final performance, meals, and evening activities. Commuters arrive for their first class by 9AM, and can be picked up any time after evening activities conclude (usually around 8pm).
Scholarships ~Each year, the Arts Center raises funds for the scholarship program. If you are interested in applying for an Arts Center scholarship, please visit our website
Check-in/Check-out~Check in begins at 2pm on Sunday of the week your camp begins. All medical, dietary, and consent forms must be completed in UltraCamp before arriving at camp. Additional information will be emailed to you approximately 4 weeks before camp begins.
Additional Information ~ To request disability accommodations, or other special requests, please contact the Arts Center at least two weeks in advance of camp. More information about camp and all of the opportunities available at the Shell Lake Arts Center can be found on our website.
Participants are admitted without regard to race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. The Shell Lake Arts Center is an inclusive organization, and we accept all artists and musicians.