Dear Friends, Patrons, and Supporters,
We hope this message finds you enjoying a pleasant summer and looking forward to the upcoming season in Palm Springs. We appreciate your continued support and want to share how it makes a significant impact on our Band and the community we serve.
The Desert Winds Freedom Band thrives because of the generous contributions from individuals like you—our members, friends, families, and fans. Your support helps us keep music and the arts accessible throughout the Coachella Valley, allowing us to offer diverse performances, educational programs, and community outreach.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE VALLEY
COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES We support community engagement through participation in local events such as the DAP Health Equity Walk, the Tour de Palm Springs, and the Palm Springs Pride Parade. We also perform at various smaller public and private events, bringing music and joy to our community and celebrating our shared diversity.
EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS Your contributions enable us to invite renowned composers to lead our March concert and visit local middle and high schools for hands-on workshops. These clinics, initiated by our Artistic Director, Dean McDowell, offer students the chance to learn about the creative process directly from the composer. This program is a cornerstone of our community outreach, benefiting local students and teachers, and fostering a love for music among the youth.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Since 2010, our scholarship program has supported aspiring musicians pursuing higher education in music. Funded initially by the estate of Band member clarinetist, James Hobart Davidson, and supplemented by generous donors, the Blackburn Fingerle Education Trust, and the Davidson Fund, we have awarded over $56,000 in scholarships. Your donations help us continue this vital program, supporting the next generation of musicians and ensuring music education is accessible to all.
COMMISSIONING NEW MUSIC Contributions from supporters like you through the Thorsten Fund/Gift allow us to commission new works for our Symphonic and Jazz Bands. These compositions often highlight LGBTQ+ themes or are created by LGBTQ+ composers. We are excited to announce a major new work by composer and Band member Rossano Galante, commissioned for our 25th Anniversary Season in 2026-2027. This initiative helps us celebrate diversity and bring new, innovative music to our community.
LOOKING AHEAD: OUR 2024-2025 SEASON
We are excited to present our 23rd Concert Season, beginning with “Fiesta Latina” on November 23 and 24 at the Jewish Community Center in Palm Springs. Following this, our annual Jazz Band Concert and Gala Fundraiser, “The Great American Songbook,” will be held on February 9 at the Cascade Lounge, Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. Our Spring Concert, “A Portrait of America,” featuring guest conductor and composer Tyler Grant, will take place on March 29 and 30. Our season will conclude with “Pop, Rock, and Swing” on May 4.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT
Your support is crucial for us to continue delivering great music and community programs. It helps us cover essential costs and maintain our high standards of performance. By directing your gift to our General Fund (our area of greatest need), the Davidson Education Fund, or the Thorsten Commissioned Music Gift/Fund, you ensure that we can continue to enrich our community with music and provide opportunities for engagement, education, and personal growth.
We look forward to our 23rd Season and continuing to offer you great music in and around Palm Springs.
Dean McDowell, Artistic Director
Andy Nelson, Board President
We hope this message finds you enjoying a pleasant summer and looking forward to the upcoming season in Palm Springs. We appreciate your continued support and want to share how it makes a significant impact on our Band and the community we serve.
The Desert Winds Freedom Band thrives because of the generous contributions from individuals like you—our members, friends, families, and fans. Your support helps us keep music and the arts accessible throughout the Coachella Valley, allowing us to offer diverse performances, educational programs, and community outreach.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE VALLEY
COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES We support community engagement through participation in local events such as the DAP Health Equity Walk, the Tour de Palm Springs, and the Palm Springs Pride Parade. We also perform at various smaller public and private events, bringing music and joy to our community and celebrating our shared diversity.
EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS Your contributions enable us to invite renowned composers to lead our March concert and visit local middle and high schools for hands-on workshops. These clinics, initiated by our Artistic Director, Dean McDowell, offer students the chance to learn about the creative process directly from the composer. This program is a cornerstone of our community outreach, benefiting local students and teachers, and fostering a love for music among the youth.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Since 2010, our scholarship program has supported aspiring musicians pursuing higher education in music. Funded initially by the estate of Band member clarinetist, James Hobart Davidson, and supplemented by generous donors, the Blackburn Fingerle Education Trust, and the Davidson Fund, we have awarded over $56,000 in scholarships. Your donations help us continue this vital program, supporting the next generation of musicians and ensuring music education is accessible to all.
COMMISSIONING NEW MUSIC Contributions from supporters like you through the Thorsten Fund/Gift allow us to commission new works for our Symphonic and Jazz Bands. These compositions often highlight LGBTQ+ themes or are created by LGBTQ+ composers. We are excited to announce a major new work by composer and Band member Rossano Galante, commissioned for our 25th Anniversary Season in 2026-2027. This initiative helps us celebrate diversity and bring new, innovative music to our community.
LOOKING AHEAD: OUR 2024-2025 SEASON
We are excited to present our 23rd Concert Season, beginning with “Fiesta Latina” on November 23 and 24 at the Jewish Community Center in Palm Springs. Following this, our annual Jazz Band Concert and Gala Fundraiser, “The Great American Songbook,” will be held on February 9 at the Cascade Lounge, Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. Our Spring Concert, “A Portrait of America,” featuring guest conductor and composer Tyler Grant, will take place on March 29 and 30. Our season will conclude with “Pop, Rock, and Swing” on May 4.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT
Your support is crucial for us to continue delivering great music and community programs. It helps us cover essential costs and maintain our high standards of performance. By directing your gift to our General Fund (our area of greatest need), the Davidson Education Fund, or the Thorsten Commissioned Music Gift/Fund, you ensure that we can continue to enrich our community with music and provide opportunities for engagement, education, and personal growth.
We look forward to our 23rd Season and continuing to offer you great music in and around Palm Springs.
Dean McDowell, Artistic Director
Andy Nelson, Board President
Last year, in Season 22 the Band
- Marched in the Palm Springs Pride Parade and performed at other public events across the valley
- Performed four major concerts to over 1500 attendees
- Played 42 major works
- Gave EIGHT $1000 college scholarships to Coachella Valley HS grads majoring in music in college
- Sponsored 5 Middle and High School Workshops in the Valley with our Guest Composer before the Spring Concert
- Provided 110 local amateur musicians with a high quality community band program