Pride Bands Alliance Denounces Watertown School District’s Removal of “A Mother of a Revolution”
May 14, 2026
Pride Bands Alliance expresses its profound disappointment in the decision by the Watertown Unified School District Board of Education in Wisconsin to remove “A Mother of a Revolution” from the upcoming performance by the Watertown High School Wind Symphony. This decision is a disservice to the students, to the art form, and to the broader community that music is meant to serve.
“A Mother of a Revolution” was commissioned by the Desert Winds Freedom Band—a proud member organization of the Pride Bands Alliance—to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. It is a work of profound artistic and historical significance, composed by Omar Thomas, a distinguished American composer, arranger, and educator celebrated for his contemporary jazz and symphonic compositions that illuminate Black American culture, the LGBTQ+ movement, and the lives of historical figures deserving of recognition. His music challenges audiences to think, feel, and connect more deeply with one another, which is one of the highest purposes of art.
In the composer’s own words, this piece is a celebration of the bravery of trans women—and in particular, Marsha “Pay It No Mind” Johnson, credited as one of the instigators of the Stonewall uprising of June 28, 1969, one of the most pivotal events of the LGBTQ+ liberation movement. To exist as a trans woman, and especially as a trans woman of color, daring to live authentically and creating space for oneself in a transphobic world, is an act of extraordinary courage. The piece honors that courage, the legacy of Stonewall, the lives of trans women lost to violence, and those who continue to demand to be seen.
We are deeply troubled by the mischaracterization of this work’s intent, expressed during the meeting. “A Mother of a Revolution” is not a piece of advocacy—it is a piece of history. To remove it is to suggest that some histories are not worthy of being told, and that some lives are not worthy of being honored through music. The Pride Bands Alliance firmly and unequivocally rejects that premise.
This is not provocative art. This is art that heals, that educates, and that honors. At a time when LGBTQ+ people, and particularly transgender individuals, continue to face hostility and erasure, we believe music remains a vital force for empathy, understanding, and humanity.
We also wish to acknowledge, with sadness, the impact of this decision on the students of the Watertown High School Wind Symphony, who have worked for months to prepare this piece. Their dedication, artistry, and investment deserve to be honored—not undone by a vote. We extend our admiration and gratitude to the students, educators, parents, and community members who spoke courageously at the school board meeting in defense of artistic freedom, inclusion, and educational integrity. Speaking publicly in support of marginalized communities requires bravery, and those voices deserve to be acknowledged and respected.
We stand with composer Omar Thomas. We stand with the Desert Winds Freedom Band. We stand with the students of Watertown High School Wind Symphony. And we stand for the principle that music—at its finest tells us the truth about who we are, and who we can become.
The Pride Bands Alliance will continue to champion the arts, to support our member organizations and the communities they serve, and to ensure that the music of the LGBTQ+ experience is heard—loudly, beautifully, and without apology.
About Pride Bands Alliance:
The Pride Bands Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting LGBTQ+ musical ensembles. Through performance opportunities, educational initiatives, and community outreach, the Alliance strives to create a world where all musicians, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can express themselves freely through music.
Pride Bands Alliance DEIAB Initiatives
Contact:
Board of Directors, Pride Bands Alliance
