Abstract: A portable music stand includes a panel assembly composed of hinged elongate panel sections, two spaced-apart elongate walls or shelves running along one of the panel sections, and opposed end walls mounted to that same panel section and to the shelves, thus to form a container with one open side. The music stand also includes a mounting assembly with a base, a telescoping column extending upwardly from the base, and a brace at the top of the column and releasably coupled to the panel assembly. When in an open, flat configuration, the panel assembly cooperates with the shelves to provide a desk to support sheet music and accessories. Alternatively, the panel sections can be pivoted to a closed position in which the panel sections are wrapped about the container to close it. The mounting assembly is collapsible into a configuration that fits inside the container, and thus can be carried within the closed container.