Dear Patron,
We hope that this e-mail finds you safe and healthy during this difficult time for our Country. While we had to end our 2019-2020 concert season early, the Board of Directors still meets on a monthly basis (virtual format) to handle the business of the Band. One of our important tasks this Spring was to review the scholarship applications received from eight Coachella Valley High School students.
About eight years ago, Dean McDowell, our Artistic Director, suggested broadening the Band’s education outreach to Coachella Valley Middle and High Schools. While we were not able to bring in a guest composer/conductor this Spring to work with local school bands, we were still able to offer our scholarship program.
We are very excited to announce that as a result of a very generous donation from the Ralph Fingerle Education Trust Fund, funds raised at the February 2020 Jazz Band Concert & Gala Fundraiser, and the very generous donations received from you, our Patrons, we were able to fund all eight scholarships this year for a total of $8,000. Since the inception of the program, we have awarded scholarships totaling $25,000.
2020 Scholarship Recipients
Judith Aguilar – Indio High School, Instrument: Flute, plans to attend Riverside College and major in Music Education.
Jose Becerra – Cathedral City High School, Instrument: Clarinet, plans to attend Manhattan School of Music in NYC and major in Music Performance.
Natalie Hushaw – Palm Desert High School, Instrument: Saxophone, plans to attend University of California Los Angeles, or California Baptist University and major in Music Education.
Angelie Mae Ilustrisimo – Cathedral City High School, Instrument: French Horn, plans to attend either Northwestern University (IL), or University of Redlands, and major in Music Performance.
Eddie Patino – Shadow Hills High School, Instrument: Trombone, plans to attend Cal State Fullerton and major in Music Performance.
Eric Rodriquez – Indio High School, Instrument: Percussion, plans to attend College of the Desert and major in Music Performance.
Erin Nicole Shen – Palm Desert High School, Instrument: Piano, Violin, and Clarinet, plans to attend Rice University (TX) or University of Redlands and major in Music Performance and Biomedical Engineering.
Nicholas Washburn – Palm Desert High School, Instrument: Trumpet, plans to attend UCLA or Cal State University and major in Music.
If you would like to donate to our scholarship program you can donate by mailing a check made payable to the Desert Winds Freedom Band (please indicated scholarship program in the Memo section) and mail it to us at:
Desert Winds Freedom Band
P.O. Box 4732
Palm Springs, CA 92263
You can also donate on our website at www.desertwindsfb.org. Just go to the “SUPPORT US” tab and click on Angel Donor. You will be able to designate your donation for our Scholarship Fund or for our Education Outreach Fund.
2020-2021 Concert Season Schedule -Mark Your Calendars Today!
Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm – Broadway Themed Concert, Jewish Community Center of Palm Springs
Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 7:00 pm. – California Dreamin’ Concert, Jewish Community Center of Palm Springs
Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 4:00 pm – Jazz Band Concert & Gala Fundraiser, Palm Springs Pavilion
Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm – Spring Concert, Jewish Community Center, Palm Springs
Best regards,
Dencil White, President
Desert Winds Freedom Band
dwfbpresident@gmail.com
760-413-8711
