The Kids are Alright

I recommend listening to this performance while reading on:

UGA Wind Ensemble: A Mother of A Revolution! - Omar Thomas

The Watertown, Wisconsin school board voted to remove this song, “A Mother of a Revolution!”, from the spring concert. Why? Because the song was dedicated to Marsha P. Johnson, an important figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. And according to most of the board members’ bigotry, that must make it “indoctrination and radical curriculum.” 🙄

As TMJ4 News reports, the band director properly followed the board policy back in October, notifying families of the potentially controversial song and gave students the option to opt out. Only a few did.

Fast forward several months, and the board votes to remove the song just a week before the spring concert.

Students and family members spoke out at the board meeting:

“It is a band piece with no lyrics that is very technically challenging,” said Anderson. “We have worked so hard for months.”

“I don't think you guys understand how hard it is to listen to you guys not accepting,” one student told the board. “I know what it’s like to not be accepted.”

Students at the school and the middle school also staged walkouts. Good for them! I really hope the band will play the song anyway (surprise encore?) on May 18th.

Updates

A local church is hosting a community performance of the song by the school band and the composer, Omar Thomas, will be conducting! Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7:00PM Central. There will be a livestream as well: watertownimmanuel.org/concert

Watch:

Watertown, WI community members perform 'A Mother of a Revolution' following school ban