Desert Winds Spring Concert 'A Portrait of America'
The Desert Winds Freedom Band performed it's spring concert on March 29 in the evening, and again the next day at a matinee performance. The Band performed music which evoked images of the beauty of our country, from coast to coast. The Jazz Band also performed, and a real treat was a performance by a flute choir. Our spring concert always includes a visit by a guest composer/conductor, and this year it was the charismatic Tyler Grant, who conducted the Band in two of his very exciting works. Besides the music, the Band awarded music scholarships to ten Coachella Valley high school grads who are currently in college pursuing a music major, or are new high school grads who will begin their college music degrees this fall. This is the most scholarships that the Band has awarded, and we are thankful for our donors who fund the scholarships, and the excellent music programs in our valley's high schools which produce such great candidates.
Desert Winds Jazz Band Concert & Gala Fundraiser
On February 9, 2025, the Desert Winds Jazz Band performed a concert at the Band's Gala Fundraiser. Again this year, the event was held at the beautiful Cascade Lounge in the Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. The 160 ticket event was sold out. While a fine brunch was served to guests, the Jazz Band performed it's concert titled 'The Great American Song Book'. Attendees were able to bid on a variety of items in a silent auction during the concert.
Desert Winds Special Chamber Music Concert
On Sunday, January 12, the Desert Winds performed a concert of chamber music and solo performances at the beautiful St. Margaret's Church in Palm Desert. The eclectic repertoire included works for brass and organ, a clarinet choir, a piano, clarinet and cello trio, a woodwind quintet, flute choir, and a low clarinet quartet. There were solo works performed on cello, organ, flute, and alto sax. Composers ranged from J.S Bach to Shostakovich, and the performances displayed the talent of over 40 Desert Winds members in a more intimate setting than usual.
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Downtown Palm Springs Christmas Concert
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On December 11 the Desert Winds performed a Christmas Concert in the plaza outside of Starbucks in downtown Palm Springs. This year about 55 band members performed. In addition to the full band, there were also performances by a flute choir, clarinet choir, saxophone choir and a 'Pops' combo. Despite the cool weather, a group of Band friends and downtown shoppers made for a great audience. |
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Desert Winds Season 23 Fall Concert 'Fiesta Latina'
'Fiesta Latina' was the theme for this years Fall Concert on November 23rd and 24th featuring the Symphonic Band and the Jazz Ensemble playing exciting music with Latin dance rhythms. While the Band performed, a large screen projected images relating to the music in each number. Audience favorites (actually band members, too) were Danzas Cubanas by Robert Sheldon and Havana NIghts by Randall Standridge.
During the concert, longtime band member and alto saxophone player Gary Bollard was awarded the Bob Montooth Spirit Award.
During the concert, longtime band member and alto saxophone player Gary Bollard was awarded the Bob Montooth Spirit Award.
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2024 Pride Parade
Sunday, November 3, 2024 was the annual Palm Springs Pride Parade. The Desert Winds Freedom Band was number 4 in the parade this year! With the color guard, twirlers, and all of the instrumental performers, the Band marched with 100 members. This year, besides our own members, we were joined by marchers from Los Angeles, North Hills, San Francisco, Mission Viejo, Anaheim, Altadena, San Diego, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Washington, and Florida.
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2024 DAP Health Equity Walk
On Saturday, October 26, 2024 the Desert Winds Freedom Band played the first performance of our 23rd Season playing for the DAP Equity Walk in the plaza beside Starbucks in downtown Palm Springs. It was a perfect day for the walk and a perfect day for an informal outdoor band concert.
May Beethoven and Small Group ConcertThis year our Artistic Director decided to end our season with a concert celebrating the music of Ludwig von Beethoven. In addition to the Concert Band performing, he asked for Band members to come forward with small group performances. and the Band rose to the occasion. Besides performing Beethoven's Egmont Overture, the Band also accompanied Band President Andy Nelson in the Weber Clarinet Concertino.
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Trumpet player Matt Richards performed the McKey's Concerto 'Centennial Horizon' with the Band later in the concert.
The small groups from the Band were quite varied, and included a Trio of Bass Clarinets, the entire saxophone section of the Band, a woodwind quintet and a piano quintet with most groups choosing music by Beethoven as well.
The Saturday Matinee Concert was well attended, with some patrons standing in the back of Temple Isaiah/Jewish Community Center.
The small groups from the Band were quite varied, and included a Trio of Bass Clarinets, the entire saxophone section of the Band, a woodwind quintet and a piano quintet with most groups choosing music by Beethoven as well.
The Saturday Matinee Concert was well attended, with some patrons standing in the back of Temple Isaiah/Jewish Community Center.
Desert Winds Freedom Band Spring Concert
The Desert Winds Freedom Band performed our Spring Concert on the 23rd and 24th of April at Temple Isiah/Jewish Community. The theme of the concert was 'It's a Wonderful World' and it certainly was wonderful for the large audience attending both performances. Both the Symphonic Band and the Jazz Band performed. This year we had not one, but two guest composer/conductors. Dr. Frank Ticheli conducted two of his works including the exciting 'Vesuvius'. Our other guest composer/conductor was band member Rossano Galante who conducted his work 'The Redwoods'.
Our Spring Concert is also when we award our Music Scholarships to graduates of Coachella Valley High Schools who plan to, or are currently enrolled in a college as a music major. This year the band awarded eight $1000 scholarships, and since the scholarship programs inception the Band has awarded $56,000. For more information go to Scholarship Awards. If you are interested in supporting our scholarship program please visit our Donate Page.
Spring is also time for Band Awards. The Bob Montooth Spirit Award is given to a band member who demonstrates the enthusiasm and spirit of the Award Namesake. This years recipient is Jim Boyer (Tuba player).
The second award is the Dencil White Leadership Award, given for major contributions of time and energy devoted to the success and growth of the Band. This years recipient is Julian DiCiurcio, a long time member of the Band and it's Board.
We hope you will enjoy a few photos from the Spring Concert.
Our Spring Concert is also when we award our Music Scholarships to graduates of Coachella Valley High Schools who plan to, or are currently enrolled in a college as a music major. This year the band awarded eight $1000 scholarships, and since the scholarship programs inception the Band has awarded $56,000. For more information go to Scholarship Awards. If you are interested in supporting our scholarship program please visit our Donate Page.
Spring is also time for Band Awards. The Bob Montooth Spirit Award is given to a band member who demonstrates the enthusiasm and spirit of the Award Namesake. This years recipient is Jim Boyer (Tuba player).
The second award is the Dencil White Leadership Award, given for major contributions of time and energy devoted to the success and growth of the Band. This years recipient is Julian DiCiurcio, a long time member of the Band and it's Board.
We hope you will enjoy a few photos from the Spring Concert.
Desert Winds Annual Jazz Band Concert and Gala Fund Raiser 'Dream'n'
On February 18, 2024 the Desert Winds Freedom Band presented it's Annual Jazz Band Concert and Gala Fundraiser at the Cascade Lounge in the Aqua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Led by Artistic Director Dean McDowell, the Jazz Band and guest artists Estee Graham and Patrick Barnitt entertained while atendees enjoyed an excellent brunch and bid on silent auction items and a wall of wine. You can see some more images from this concert below!
Wednesday evening Christmas Music at the Plaza
beside Starbucks, Downtown Palm Springs
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On Wednesday, December 6, the Desert Winds Freedom Band, lead by Artistic Director Dean McDowell, performed an al fresco concert of Holiday Music on the plaza beside the Starbucks in downtown Palm Springs. In addition to the large band, there were also performances by a saxophone choir, a flute ensemble and a trombone quartet. It was truly a great way to welcome in the Season! |
Palm Springs Pride-2023
Palm Springs Pride was on a perfect Sunday and a huge crowd was present to celebrate Pride and enjoy the parade. The Desert Winds Freedom Band fielded perhaps its largest group to date, including color guard, twirler, banner carriers, our artistic director, Dean McDowell and support personnel. Besides our regular band members, we were joined by other Pride Band Alliance members from Los Angeles, Florida, Ohio and New Mexico.
It was truly a fun, colorful and entertaining event to celebrate PRIDE weekend!
It was truly a fun, colorful and entertaining event to celebrate PRIDE weekend!
2023 DAP Health Equity WalkThe Desert Winds Pep Band performed on Saturday, October 29 on the plaza next to Starbucks in downtown Palm Springs with our valley's famous perfect weather. The Pep Band performed some lively marches and popular music for the fundraising walkers and the downtown Palm Springs crowd. It was great fun, and a great event.
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Desert Winds Freedom Band -Season 22
On September 7, 2023, the Desert Winds Freedom Band began it's Twenty-Second Season of music. We have quite a few new musicians this year, enough that it appears we will have about 110 performing on stage for our Fall Concert, 'Music in Motion'. We are happy to say that our members this season include a number of musicians from local valley middle and high schools.
Concerto, Sonata and small group Concert
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On April 29th the Band performed a unique matinee concert featuring soloists and smaller groups of band members. Band member Sherri Marmon performed the Chaminade Concertino for Flute and Band member Randall Creighton performed the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, First Movement. Besides these major works, there were small group performances by the entire brass section, clarinets, low reeds, a bassoon trio, low brass and solo trombone.
We were thrilled to have all four of our Season 21 Scholarship winners performing with the band for this event, where a formal presentation of their $1000 scholarship checks was made. A reception followed in the front hall of the concert venue. |
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Special Awards at the Season 21 Spring Concert
Bob Montooth Spirit Award
This year's winner of the Bob Montooth Spirit Award is Bryon Wirth. The award honors the memory of a long time band member and late husband of our Artistic Director Dean McDowell by recognizing a Band member who demonstrates Bob's spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm in contributing to the organization.
Bryon is a trumpet player who plays in both the Concert Band and the Jazz Ensemble. He is also the music librarian for the Jazz Ensemble and the Pep Band, responsible for making certain that all the musicians have the correct parts for each musical number and also for ongoing storage and maintenance of the Jazz Ensemble music. Besides all of this, Bryon is a go-to person for whatever needs to be done, such as concert set-up or takedown, or driving a moving truck to a gig.
Thank You Bryon, and Congratulations!
This year's winner of the Bob Montooth Spirit Award is Bryon Wirth. The award honors the memory of a long time band member and late husband of our Artistic Director Dean McDowell by recognizing a Band member who demonstrates Bob's spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm in contributing to the organization.
Bryon is a trumpet player who plays in both the Concert Band and the Jazz Ensemble. He is also the music librarian for the Jazz Ensemble and the Pep Band, responsible for making certain that all the musicians have the correct parts for each musical number and also for ongoing storage and maintenance of the Jazz Ensemble music. Besides all of this, Bryon is a go-to person for whatever needs to be done, such as concert set-up or takedown, or driving a moving truck to a gig.
Thank You Bryon, and Congratulations!
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The Dencil White Leadership Award
This year the Board of Directors of the Desert Winds Freedom Band created a new award to honor our outgoing Band President, Dencil White. Dencil was a founding member of the Washington D.C. band, DCs Different Drummers. When he moved to Palm Springs he joined the Desert Winds Freedom Band where he plays trumpet, was on the Board as Secretary, and currently is finishing his unprecedented 6th year as President of the Band. Dencil's list of accomplishments is too long to list here. But consider that the Band has grown by 30% during his time as President and he helped the Band navigate and survive COVID (a difficult problem for a non-profit band that couldn't perform concerts for 18 months). To honor the legacy of Dencil's sustained leadership, dedication, and welcoming, inclusive spirit, the Board has created the 'Dencil White Leadership Award' with Dencil as the first recipient. The award will be given to Band Members who emulate Dencil White and his sustained commitment to music, performance, leadership, and the welfare of our organization. Thank You Dencil, and Congratulations! |
Dencil White receives the award named in his honor from Band President-elect Andrew Nelson
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