Desert Winds Freedom Band is currently on summer break, but we hope you will join us this Fall
for our Twenty-second Season.
Check this page later in summer
for our 2023-2024 performance schedule.
for our Twenty-second Season.
Check this page later in summer
for our 2023-2024 performance schedule.
Our Purpose
- Community - Desert Winds Freedom Band provides an opportunity for amateur musicians of all ages and experience who love to make music with others for their enjoyment in a safe and friendly environment.
- Achievement - Under the direction of Artistic Director Dean McDowell, band members are presented with music from pop to classical. Our musicians work hard together to learn and perform entertaining and challenging music to delight our audiences and to attain their own satisfaction.
- Inclusion - Although the Band has a focus on the LGBTQ community in Palm Springs, our membership is diverse and broadly representative of our valley's population and seasonal visitors. Although members are assessed dues annually, assistance is available for those with need. In some cases donated instruments may be available.
- Harmony - Desert Winds Freedom Band values all of it's membership, volunteers and supporters. We strive to make the band a supportive and fair organization where members not only make music, but friends.
- Education - The Band has a strong focus on fostering musical development in our local community through scholarship and workshops at local middle and high schools. Each year the Band awards a number of $1000 scholarships to deserving local High School seniors who plan to pursue a major in music, music education or composition in college. Each spring, the band supports a series of workshops at local schools with our Artistic Director and a guest composer/conductor which gives students an opportunity to achieve a deeper understanding of the music they are playing while having a unique glimpse at the process and inspiration behind the creation of a musical composition.
OUR ENSEMBLES
Desert Winds Concert Band before the 2023 Spring Concert
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band plays a fall, spring and holiday concert each year. Rehearsals are Thursday nights from 7 to 9:30. The band season runs from September through May.
Jazz BandThe Jazz Ensemble rehearses on Thursday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center in Palm Springs, California. In addition to a spot on the stage for our Symphonic Band Concerts, the Jazz Ensemble performs at a variety of events around Palm Springs. Each year the Jazz Ensemble is the featured group at a Desert Winds fund raising gala.
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Marching/Pep BandThe Marching Band has a spot each year in Palm Springs' famous Gay Pride Parade, while the Pep Band performs at special events around Palm Springs such as the Aids Walk
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Mailing Address:
Desert Winds Freedom Band PO Box 4732 Palm Springs, CA 92263-4732 760.776.2700 |
Applications for the Desert Winds High School Senior music scholarships will be accepted between November 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024
Our Community Partners
