Our Purpose
Community - Desert Winds Freedom Band provides an opportunity for amateur musicians of all ages and experience who love to make music in a safe and friendly environment.
Achievement - Under the direction of Artistic Director Dean McDowell, band members perform music from pop to classical. Our musicians work hard learn and perform entertaining and challenging music for 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.
Harmony - Desert Winds Freedom Band values all of its members, volunteers and supporters. The Band is a supportive and fair organization where members make friends while making music.
Education - The Band has a strong focus on fostering musical development in our 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.
Achievement - Under the direction of Artistic Director Dean McDowell, band members perform music from pop to classical. Our musicians work hard learn and perform entertaining and challenging music for 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.
Harmony - Desert Winds Freedom Band values all of its members, volunteers and supporters. The Band is a supportive and fair organization where members make friends while making music.
Education - The Band has a strong focus on fostering musical development in our 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.
Our History
The Desert Winds Freedom Band is a large and diverse community musical group based in Palm Springs, California. Founded by Gary Moline in 2001 with just 17 members, the band has grown steadily both in membership and concert attendance. Now in its 22nd season, the band has grown to over 100 members who enjoy rehearsing, performing, and meeting new friends during our September through May season. A fabulous mix of Palm Springs diversity, the band has members who were former professional musicians as well as those who picked up their instruments again in retirement, young and old (age range 17 to 91), gay and straight, valley residents and seasonal visitors. If you think you might want to become a member of our band, check out the
Join Us link.
In addition to our Fall and Spring Concert performances, the Band plays a Holiday Concert and performs more informally at the Desert AIDS Walk, Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade, as well as other community events on request. Bedsides the Symphonic Band our organization includes a Jazz Band, Pep Band, and a Marching Band.
Desert Winds Freedom Band is a 501(c )(3) non-profit organization.
We are members of Pride Bands Alliance and we hosted their National Convention in November 2016 during Greater Palm Springs Pride week.
Join Us link.
In addition to our Fall and Spring Concert performances, the Band plays a Holiday Concert and performs more informally at the Desert AIDS Walk, Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade, as well as other community events on request. Bedsides the Symphonic Band our organization includes a Jazz Band, Pep Band, and a Marching Band.
Desert Winds Freedom Band is a 501(c )(3) non-profit organization.
We are members of Pride Bands Alliance and we hosted their National Convention in November 2016 during Greater Palm Springs Pride week.
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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
The scholarship application is HERE
Our Community Partners
