Desert Winds Holiday Concert Sunday December 14th @ Annenberg December 14, 2008

THE DESERT WINDS FREEDOM BAND PRESENTS A HOLIDAY CONCERT
Rejoice and be glad. The Desert Winds Freedom Band is pleased to announce its winter concert, "A Holiday Celebration: Seasons of Change." Under the direction of Artistic Director, Dean McDowell, the festivities will take place on Sunday, December 14th, at 2 PM, in the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Nothing is more Christmas-y than a brass choir of trumpets, trombones, French horns, euphoniums and tubas, joined by flutes, oboes, clarinets and saxes, harmonizing to the joyful rhythms of drums and cymbals. It makes the holidays come alive.
"This year, as a special holiday gift, we've invited members of the Caballeros Gay Men's Chorus to sing with the band," comments McDowell. "What's more, our own jazz-band-within-the-band will add to the good times."
The concert program offers a wide range of music, from traditional, inspirational carols to more contemporary songs of the season -- from a lush John Swearingen arrangement of everyone's favorite "Silent Night" to the fun of "A Home Alone Christmas" by John Williams and Alan Menken.
The medley "It's The Holiday Season" features Irving Berlin's Happy Holidays, Jule Styne's The Holiday Season and Kay Thomson's Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let it Snow! "A Family Christmas Spectacular" includes Over the River and Through the Woods, Up On the House Top, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas and Jingle Bells.
In John Fannin's unique "A Winter's Dawn" the season comes to life through the skillful use of bells, chimes and even the icy ring of crystal water glasses, then is driven to an exciting climax by an assortment of percussion instruments.
The captivating rhythms of "Christmas in ¾ Time" and Robert W. Smith's arrangement of "Latin Bell Carol" promise to keep the pace lively, while the reflective composition "Holding Close The Memories" by Richard Saucedo offers a touching tribute to holidays past.
From the first fanfare to the "Finale For A Winter Festival" by James Curnow, you won't want to miss this cornucopia of holiday pleasures. Now in its eighth season, the Desert Winds Freedom Band is a not-for-profit, volunteer group of more than 45 gay and gay-friendly musicians dedicated to providing cultural, social and educational enrichment to its audiences and its members.

Tickets are $30 and $20. Order online 24/7 at www.annenbergtheater.org Or phone 760/325-4490. The Annenberg Theater Box office is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and for extended hours during performances. It is closed holidays. Your concert ticket also gives you admission to the museum for the day!

Official Website: http://www.DesertWindsFB.org