Renowned Boston Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Benjamin Zander once said, “The conductor of an orchestra doesn’t make a sound. The conductor’s job is to awaken possibility in other people.”
Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic Executive Director Lee Mills is all about creating possibilities in the Valley, praising a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation through the Elissa Hepner Donor Advised Fund, which allows the revered nonprofit to produce its upcoming season and more.
“We’re very happy that we get these grants,” Mills said. “Our orchestra series is incredibly expensive to produce. We can spend anywhere between $200,000 to $400,000 on a single concert, and we want to keep our tickets at a price range that is affordable.”
He added that ticket sales only cover about half of the organization’s costs during the year. 
“The entire remainder of our budget is provided through the generosity of our donors, including grants like the one we received from the Community Foundation,” he said. “It really makes our series possible, and for us to have these outstanding orchestras from around the world.”
Mills is referring to the upcoming performances in the stellar season ahead, which begins January 2026 with the Chicago Symphony coming and conductor Riccardo Muti, one of the world’s preeminent conductors and somebody known for his captivating performances.
“The Los Angeles Philharmonic is coming, too, with Gustavo Dudamel, which is a real boon for us,” Mills added. “This is his last year as music director in L.A. before he goes off to New York. So, it was nice to be able to get that [on Feb. 26].”
The lineup also includes Academy of St. Martin with violinist Joshua Bell coming from the UK (Feb. 24), San Diego Symphony Orchestra (March 8), and Dallas Symphony Orchestra (March 31).
Other future highlights include a January 2026 concert at the Cathedral City Amphitheater featuring the Mineria Symphony Orchestra from Mexico. The event is free and open to the public.
A master classes for local high school students with the conductor, Carlos Miguel Prieto, and Pacho Flores, a Venezuelan trumpet player, will be offered prior to the performance. Local arts organizations will also be featured.
“Our board of directors is focused on trying to increase access to orchestral music out here in the Valley and taking it outside of the walls of just the McCallum Theatre,” Mills said. “And outside of being limited to people who might not be able to afford tickets to our concerts.”
“Even though we charge half of what we need to, it can still be expensive for some people,” he added. “So, having this kind of support from the IECF, from our donors, is really improving the quality of life out here in the Coachella Valley and adding a lot of value to our community.”
Beyond performance, Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic also supports a myriad of educational activities in Coachella Valley. This year, the organization granted seven scholarships for Coachella Valley students studying music or music education or related musical field to attend college.
Additionally, the Philharmonic provides grants to locals, and middle school and high school students to attend summer camps in Arrowbear Music Camp in Arrowbear Lake and another camp in Idlewild.
“I’m glad we can support these students and foster this love of orchestral music out here in the Valley,” Mills said. “That kind of fostering has, time and time and again, proven to improve the quality of life for people, reduce stress, and also process difficult emotions and other issues.”
Mills has been with the organization for 18 months. He brings with him a fascinating depth of knowledge and success.
A five-time winner of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, he was named “New Artist of the Month” in March 2022 by Musical America magazine.
The publication praised the conductor’s “omnivorous musical temperament,” calling him somebody “eager to try out highly contrasting musical styles and approaches.”
When asked what he loved most about being on board the Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic, he was candid.
“The public,” he said. “I’m a conductor. I love music I love all these great orchestras that we can bring in, but what makes me the happiest in this position is how enthusiastic our subscribers and donors are about our mission.”
He also expressed appreciation for the Philharmonic’s board, which just finished a strategic planning process that took nearly a year to craft.
“We now have a really good idea about the next five years,” Mills said. “We have a very enthusiastic donor base that is supporting our mission, and I, personally, am very focused on education because that was such a big part of my life.
“I’m from a blue-collar family in Montana,” he added. “No big musicians in my family are in my immediate orbit. So, it’s wonderful to be exposed constantly to music because of organizations like ours, or like the Symphony Orchestra that was in my hometown, and to also go to music camps and study music. That really drove my passion for music.”
Learn more at psphil.org.
This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, September 2025.
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