Watertown Community to Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Through Music
In a turn of events, Watertown High School band students were initially prohibited from performing a significant piece of music tied to LGBTQ+ history. However, the community will still have the chance to experience “A Mother of A Revolution!” performed live this week.
Renowned composer Omar Thomas will be at the helm, conducting his piece at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church on Wednesday. The event will begin at 7 p.m., featuring musicians from the local community and student performers.
According to the church’s website, the gathering aims to immerse attendees in the music brought to life by individuals deeply connected to the Watertown community. It is emphasized that the performers do not seek the spotlight, and the event is not intended as a protest.
After the performance, Thomas will engage with the audience, sharing insights in a session that will be available via livestream.
The decision for this separate performance came after the Watertown School Board’s recent prohibition of the piece in the high school’s spring concert. The board cited the district’s controversial issues policy as the reason for the ban, a decision made just days before the scheduled student performance.
Thomas, an associate professor at the University of Texas-Austin, composed the piece in 2019 for modern wind ensembles. It is dedicated to Marsha P. Johnson, a pivotal figure in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, recognized as a key event in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
Reid LaDew, the Watertown Band Director, had adhered to the district’s controversial issues policy by informing parents in October about the inclusion of “A Mother of A Revolution!” in the curriculum. Initially, there was no objection from the school board, and students have been diligently preparing the piece throughout the academic year.
In a recent interview with WTMJ-4, Thomas expressed his intention to honor the courage of trans individuals, particularly highlighting Marsha P. Johnson as a Black trans woman. He commended the Watertown students for their exemplary conduct amid the situation.
