05/20/2026
The "Mother of a Revolution" by Omar Thomas is a challenging piece of music honouring Marsha P. Johnson and the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Stonewall was a watershed moment in the struggle for LGBTIQA+ rights. Johnson was an important figure in that struggle, particularly in regards to transgender rights and advocacy for people living with AIDS. The piece is a tribute to transgender women of colour and their bravery in a transphobic world.
Recently the Watertown Unified School District Board in Wisconsin, USA, voted 7-1 to ban the high school wind symphony from performing this piece. The board justified the ban by claiming the music violated their 'controversial issues' policy, and that celebrating Johnson and Stonewall endorsed 'political violence' and was a form of indoctrination, stating that 'we should not be training little liberals'
This ridiculous ban has sparked debate around the world, and has seen the composer express deep support for the students and the piece.
The band performed this piece in 2022 under the baton of Tracy Videon. It's a truly complex piece, recognised for its immense difficulty, challenging musicians with complex harmonies and bold expansive swells. The piece shifts from quiet, resilient melodies to a triumphant pulsing disco section.
It was an incredibly challenging piece for the band to perform. However, the struggle of our small community band performing this piece also gave it weight and significance for us.
It's remarkable that 57 years after the events of Stonewall that we still find ourselves under siege by those who seek to practice prejudice and discrimination. The very thing the band was founded to provide a safe harbour from in 1995.
Performed at the Together We Are Heard concert, Saturday 22nd October at the Darebin Arts Centre. A partnership between the Melbourne Rainbow Band, conducted...
