​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 21st 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.
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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 Pride Bands Alliance 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.

Chronology of Desert Winds Freedom Band Performances

2021-2022 SEASON

09/11/2021 Jazz Quartet Performance at 20th Anniversary  9/11 Event. Mary Pickford Theater
11/07/2021 Marching Band, Palm Springs Pride Parade, Downtown Palm Springs
11/20/2021 Fall Concert, "A Night on Broadway", Temple Isaiah
02/27/22 Jazz Band Concert and Gala Fund Raiser, 'Isn't it Romantic?', Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
03/26/2022 Spring Concert, 'Infinite Hope', Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
03/27/2022 Spring Concert Matinee, 'Infinite Hope', Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
5/1/2022 Pops Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah

2020-2021 SEASON

07/2021 Zoom performance of 'Appalachian Legacy' by  Robert Sheldon
09/17/2020 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

2019-2020 SEASON

10/19/2019  2019 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/03/2019  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
02/23/2020  Isn’t It Romantic, Jazz Band Concert & Fundraiser, Palm Springs Pavilion

2018-2019 SEASON

10/20/2018  2018 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/04/2018  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
11/17/2018  Myths + Legends, Fall Concert, Palm Springs High School
02/17/2019  Isn’t It Romantic, Jazz Band Concert & Fundraiser, Palm Springs Pavilion
03/30/2019  When We Rise!, Spring Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
05/09/2019  Spring POPS Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah

2017-2018 Season

10/21/2017  2017 AIDS Walk. Palm Springs
11/05/2017  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
11/19/2017  United in Music-The World in Harmony, Fall Concert at Palm Springs H.S.
02/10/2018  Isn't It Romantic?, Jazz Band Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
03/28/2018  Hear Me Roar, Spring Concert, Palm Springs H.S.
04/08/2018  Sunday Brunch with the Desert Winds, Fundraiser
04/21/2018  Thunderbird Country Club Concert, Rancho Mirage

2016-2017 SEASON

10/22/2016  2016 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/03/2016 -11/6/2016 Hosted the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) Conference
11/03/2016   Steel Drum Band Performance at LGBA Conference, Hyatt Hotel, Palm Springs 
11/05/2016   California Gold, LGBA 2016 Pride Concert, Palm Springs High School
11/06/2016   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
12/04/2016  Home for the Holidays, Holiday Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
01/11/2017   Isn’t It Romantic?, Jazz Band Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
03/19/2017   Opera Arts Band Concert, Palm Desert
03/26/2017   Music and the World of Dance, Spring Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
04/09/2017    Sunday Brunch with the Desert Winds Fundraiser
04/29/2017    Thunderbird Country Club Concert, Palm Desert
05/20/2017    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,
12/06/2015  Holiday Magic, Holiday Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah, Palm Springs
01/23/2016  Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride
04/03/2016   Music of the Masters: Past & Present, Spring Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
04/16/2016   Thunderbird Country Club Concert, Palm Desert
05/21/2016   Rancho Mirage Library Concert​

2014-2015 SEASON

08/07/2014  Hot Desert Night, Bloom in the Desert Ministries Benefit, Jazz Combo at Azul
09/23/2014  5th Annual Band Mixer, CRAVE, Palm Springs
10/18/2014  2014 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
10/25/2014  All That Jazz, Jazz Band Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
10/29/2014  Stonewall Gardens Grand Opening, Jazz Combo
11/09/2014  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/07/2014   Joy: A Holiday Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah, Palm Springs
03/22/2015   Music for the Silver Screen, Spring Concert, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah
05/30/2015   An American Portrait, Rancho Mirage Library Concert
06/25/2015   From Moses to Gershwin, Jewish Community Center/Temple Isaiah, Palm Springs

2013-2014 SEASON

09/17/2013  4th Annual Band Mixer, Tropicale, Palm Spring
10/19/2013  2013 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/03/2013  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
11/18/2013  Concert: DWFB & CCHS Symphony Band, Rancho Mirage High School
12/07/2013  Holiday Concert, Palm Springs High School Auditorium
02/08/2014  Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride
03/22/2014  Spring Concert, Helene Galen Performing Arts Center, RMHS
03/27/2014  Goodbye Marilyn (Farewell to Marilyn Statue)
04/13/2014  Jazz In the Afternoon Fundraiser
05/31/2014  Rancho Mirage Library Concert

2012-2013 SEASON

09/25/2012  3rd Annual Band Mixer, Tropicale, Palm Springs
11/04/2012  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
11/18/2012  Aloft with Classics Benefit, Michael H Lord Gallery, Palm Springs
12/09/2012  Holiday Concert, Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
02/09/2013  Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride
03/07/2013   Rancho Casa Blanca Americana Concert
03/23/2013   Spring Concert, Palm Springs High School Auditorium
04/07/2013   Jazz in the Afternoon Fundraiser
06/08/2013   Rancho Mirage Library Concert

2011-2012 SEASON

09/20/2011  2nd Annual Band Mixer, Tropicale, Palm Springs
10/22/2011  2011 Desert AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/06/2011  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/10/2011  Holiday Concert, Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
02/11/2012  Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride
03/24/2012   Spring Concert, Palm Springs High School Auditorium
4/15/2012     Jazz in the Afternoon Fundraiser
06/09/2012   Summer Concert, Rancho Mirage Library

2010-2011 Season

09/21/2010  1st Annual Band Mixer, Tropicale, Palm Springs
10/23/2010  2010 Desert AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/07/2010  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/02/2010  Cathedral City Tree Lighting Ceremony
12/11/2010  Holiday Concert, Annenburg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
02/12/2011  Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride, SAG Stop Entertainment
03/06/2011  Gay Softball League, Demuth Park, Palm Springs
03/26/2011  Spring Concert, Palm Springs H.S. Auditorium
04/10/2011  Jazz in the Afternoon, Fundraiser
05/07/2011  Gay Veteran's Ceremony, desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City
06/11/2011  Summer Concert, Rancho MIrage Lobrary

2009-2010 SEASON

10/31/2009  2009 Desert AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/08/2009  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/13/2009  Holiday Concert, Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
02/13/2010  Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride, SAG Stop Entertainment
03/07/2010   Palm Springs Gay Softball League, Season Opening Ceremonies
03/21/2010   Spring Concert, Palm Springs High School Auditorium
06/06/2010   Palm Springs Power Baseball Game, Palm Springs Stadium
06/19/2010   Summer Concert, Rancho Mirage Library

2008-2009 SEASON

09/20/2008  LaLaPOOLooza Benefit, Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs
10/25/2008  2008 Desert AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/02/2008  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/14/2008  Holiday Concert, Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
02/14/2009  Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride, SAG Stop Entertainment
03/02/2009  Rancho Casa Blanca Americana Concert
03/29/2009  Spring Concert, Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
06/01/2009  Summer Concert, Sun City, Palm Desert
06/20/2009  Summer Concert, Rancho Mirage Library

2007-2008 SEASON

09/22/2007  LaLaPOOLooza Benefit, Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs
10/27/2007  2007 Desert AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/03/2007  Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival
11/04/2007  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/09/2007   Holiday Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
02/09/2008   Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride, SAG Stop Entertainment
04/06/2008   Spring Concert, Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
06/28/2008   Summer Concert, Rancho Mirage Library
07/03/2008   Summer Concert, Cathedral City Fountainworks! Celebration

2006-2007 SEASON

10/28/2006  2006 Desert AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
11/05/2006  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/09/2006  Holiday Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
02/10/2007  Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride, SAG Stop Entertainment
03/18/2007  Spring Concert, Indian Wells Theater, CSUSB, Palm Desert
07/01/2007  Summer Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs

2005-2006 Season

10/02/2005  Walk-A-Thon, Stroke Activity Center, Palm Springs
10/04/2005  Concert in the Park, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs
11/05/2005  LGBA Concert, Palm Springs H.S.
11/06/2005  LGBA Combined Marching Band, Greater Palm Springs Pride
12/09/2005  Holiday Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
03/26/2006  Spring Concert, Cathedral City H.S. Theater
04/20/2006  Reel Pride Film Festival, Cinemas Palme d'Or, Palm Desert
05/06/2006  Gay Veteran's Ceremony, Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City
07/02/2006  Summer Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
07/15/2006  Participation in Opening Ceremonies, Gay Games VII, Chicago
07/18/2006  Participation in Millennium Park Concert, Stepping Out

2004-2005 SEASON

10/23/2004  Fall Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
11/07/2004  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
02/24/2005  Desert Pride Center Light Up the Night Ceremony, Palm Springs
03/13/2005  2005 Desert AIDS Walk, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs
04/04/2005  Bits and Bites, Westin Mission Hiils, Rancho Mirage
06/04/2005  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
11/01/2003  Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival Concert
11/02/2003  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/14/2003  Holiday Concert, Camelot Theatre, Palm Springs
02/15/2004  Celebrate Our Diversity, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs
03/21/2004  2004 Desert AIDS Walk, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs
05/29/2004   Spring Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs

2002-2003 SEASON

10/05/2002  GAYFBLA Concert (Desert Winds Freedom Band participation)
10/20/2002  Festival of the Waters, Desert Hot Springs
11/02/2002  Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival Concert
11/03/2002  Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
12/20/2002  Holiday Concert at Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
03/30/2003  2003 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
04/27/2003  Swing Into Spring Concert at UMC Palm Springs
06/01/2003  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
03/10/2002  Rainbow Festival of Flags, Cathedral City
04/05/2002  First Friday Festival, Palm Springs
04/14/2002  2002 AIDS Walk, Palm Springs
04/27/2002  GAYFBLA Concert (Desert Winds Freedom Band participation)
06/08/2002   First Concert, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
07/25/2002   Christmas in July with PS Front Runners & Walkers

2001

08/01/2001  An idea for a band
10/06/2001  First organizational meeting
11/03/2001  First booth at Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival
11/04/2001  Four Desert Winds Freedom Band members join GAYFBLA in Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
11/15/2001  Second organizational meeting