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 19th season, the band has grown to over 80 members who truly enjoy rehearsing, performing, and meeting new and interesting people 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. Besides our local/regional members, the band includes people from a number of states and several Canadian Provinces. 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, a Flute Ensemble, a Pep Band, and a Marching Band.
Desert Winds Freedom Band is a 501(c )(3) non-profit organization. We are members of LGBA (Lesbian and Gay Band Association) and we hosted their National Convention in November 2016 during Greater Palm Springs Pride week.
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, a Flute Ensemble, a Pep Band, and a Marching Band.
Desert Winds Freedom Band is a 501(c )(3) non-profit organization. We are members of LGBA (Lesbian and Gay Band Association) and we hosted their National Convention in November 2016 during Greater Palm Springs Pride week.
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 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.
2020-2021 SEASON
9/17/2020 Zoom performance of 'Land of Healing Waters' by Rossano Galante
12/16/2020 Zoom performance of 'Christmas from the 50's' arranged by Douglas Wagner
12/16/2020 Zoom performance of 'Christmas from the 50's' arranged by Douglas Wagner
2019-2020 SEASON
10/19/2019 2019 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/3/2019 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
11/23/2019 All Gershwin!, Fall Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
12/14/2019 Sounds of the Holidays, Holiday Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
2/23/2020 Isn’t It Romantic, Jazz Band Concert & Fundraiser, Palm Springs Pavilion
11/3/2019 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
11/23/2019 All Gershwin!, Fall Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
12/14/2019 Sounds of the Holidays, Holiday Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
2/23/2020 Isn’t It Romantic, Jazz Band Concert & Fundraiser, Palm Springs Pavilion
2018-2019 SEASON
10/20/2018 2018 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/4/2018 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade 11/17/2018 Myths + Legends, Fall Concert, Palm Springs High School 2/17/2019 Isn’t It Romantic, Jazz Band Concert & Fundraiser, Palm Springs Pavilion 3/30/2019 When We Rise!, Spring Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah 5/9/2019 Spring POPS Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah |
2016-2017 SEASON
10/22/2016 2016 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/3/2016 -11/6/2016 Hosted the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) Conference 11/3/2016 Steel Drum Band Performance at LGBA Conference, Hyatt Hotel, Palm Springs 11/5/2016 California Gold, LGBA 2016 Pride Concert, Palm Springs High School 11/6/2016 LGBA Marching Band at the Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade 11/13/2016 Grand Opening of the new LGBT Community Center, Jazz Sextet 11/17/2016 Steel Drum Band performs at the Palm Springs Street Fair, Palm Springs 12/4/2016 Home for the Holidays, Holiday Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah 1/11/2017 Isn’t It Romantic, Jazz Band Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah 3/19/2017 Opera Arts Band Concert, Palm Desert 3/26/2017 Music and the World of Dance, Spring Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah 4/9/2017 Sunday Brunch with the Desert Winds Fundraiser 4/29/2017 Thunderbird Country Club Concert, Palm Desert 5/20/2017 Our American Heritage, Armed Forces Day Concert, Palm Desert Civic Center Park |
2015-2016 SEASON
10/17/2015 2015 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
10/24/2015 Swing! Swing! Swing!, Jazz Band Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah, 12/6/2015 Holiday Magic, Holiday Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah, Palm Springs 1/23/2016 Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride 4/3/2016 Music of the Masters: Past & Present, Spring Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah 4/16/2016 Thunderbird Country Club Concert, Palm Desert 5/21/2016 Rancho Mirage Library Concert |
2014-2015 SEASON
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2013-2014 SEASON
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2012-2013 SEASON
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2011-2012 SEASON
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2010-2011 SEASON
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2008-2009 SEASON
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2007-2008 SEASON
- 9/22/2007 LaLaPOOLooza Benefit, Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs
- 10/27/2007 2007 Desert AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
- 11/3/2007 Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival
- 11/4/2007 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
- 12/9/207 Holiday Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
- 2/9/2008 Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride, SAG Stop Entertainment
- 4/6/2008 Spring Concert, Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
- 6/28/2008 Summer Concert, Rancho Mirage Library
- 7/3/2008 Summer Concert, Cathedral City Fountainworks! Celebration
2006-2007 SEASON
- 10/28/2006 2006 Desert AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
- 11/5/2006 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
- 12/9/2006 Holiday Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
- 2/10/2007 Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride, SAG Stop Entertainment
- 3/18/2007 Spring Concert, Indian Wells Theater, CSUSB, Palm Desert
- 7/1/2007 Summer Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
2004-2005 SEASON
- 10/23/2004 Fall Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
- 11/7/2004 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
- 11/14/2004 Walk-A-Thon, Stroke Activity Center, Palm Springs
- 12/11/2004 Holiday Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
- 2/24/2005 Desert Pride Center Light Up the Night Ceremony, Palm Springs
- 3/13/2005 2005 Desert AIDS Walk, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs
- 4/4/2005 Bits and Bites, Westin Mission Hiils, Rancho Mirage
- 6/4/2005 Spring Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
2003-2004 SEASON
- 10/14/2003 Concert in the Park, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs
- 11/1/2003 Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival Concert
- 11/2/2003 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
- 12/14/2003 Holiday Concert, Camelot Theatre, Palm Springs
- 2/15/2004 Celebrate Our Diversity, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs
- 3/21/2004 2004 Desert AIDS Walk, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs
- 5/29/2004 Spring Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
2002-2003 SEASON
- 10/5/2002 GAYFBLA Concert (Desert Winds Freedom Band participation)
- 10/20/2002 Festival of the Waters, Desert Hot Springs
- 11/2/2002 Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival Concert
- 11/3/2002 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
- 12/20/2002 Holiday Concert at Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
- 3/30/2003 2003 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
- 4/27/2003 Swing Into Spring Concert at UMC Palm Springs
- 6/1/2003 2nd Annual Wine Country Community Band Festival, Temecula
2001-2002 SEASON
- 11/28/2001 First rehearsal at Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce
- 12/13/2001 First rehearsal at Palm Regency Clubhouse
- 3/10/2002 Rainbow Festival of Flags, Cathedral City
- 4/5/2002 First Friday Festival, Palm Springs
- 4/14/2002 2002 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
- 4/27/2002 GAYFBLA Concert (Desert Winds Freedom Band participation)
- 6/8/2002 First Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
- 7/25/2002 Christmas in July with PS Front Runners & Walkers
2001
- 8/1/2001 An idea for a band
- 10/6/2001 First organizational meeting
- 11/3/2001 First booth at Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival
- 11/4/2001 Four Desert Winds Freedom Band members join GAYFBLA in Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
- 11/15/2001 Second organizational meeting