Desert Winds Freedom Band

The Desert Winds Freedom Band is proud to be part of the Coachella Valley's LGBTQ+ community, in addition to being a member of the international organization, Pride Bands Alliance. Through performances and varied outreach opportunities in and around Palm Springs, the Band engages in vital educational, cultural, and social activities for its members and the greater Palm Springs area.

The Desert Winds welcomes all musicians regardless of skill level, and its membership represents a wide range of musical experiences, including current and retired music professionals, as well as some who have not played since high school or college. The Band welcomes those who identify as LGBTQ+, but membership is open to all. We are a family that gathers weekly, united in our love for making music, to prepare interesting and varied concerts to present to our audiences. We are proud that members of our Band are of different genders, orientations, ages, and ethnicities. Annually, we award up to $5000 in scholarships to local high school students who will pursue an undergraduate music degree. Additionally, we sponsor a visiting composer/conductor to conduct workshops with local band programs. We march in the PS Pride parade, perform for the DAP Equity Walk, entertain shoppers in downtown PS during the holidays, and our Jazz Band plays during Tour de Palm Springs.