Instrumental Piece Tied to LGBTQ+ History Removed from Concert; Students Stage Walkout
A Wisconsin school board voted to ban a wordless wind ensemble piece, titled 'A Mother of a Revolution,' from a student concert, sparking widespread student protests and a walkout. The board cited vague concerns about the piece "endorsing violence," despite its lack of lyrics or spoken content. This decision, made just six days before the scheduled concert, has drawn sharp criticism from students and a segment of the community.
The ban, which passed with a 7-1 vote on Tuesday night, specifically targets a composition with acknowledged ties to the 'Stonewall movement' and LGBTQ+ history. Students involved in the Watertown High School Wind Symphony had been practicing the piece for months, preparing for the spring concert scheduled for Monday. Board members who supported the ban articulated a stance that political violence should not be a theme in school performances, a sentiment met with boos and vocal opposition from the audience, largely comprised of students, parents, and community members.
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Board President Laurie Hoffmann was the lone dissenting vote against the removal, emphasizing her opposition to the ban. In contrast, Board Vice President Sam Ouweneel stated that the decision aligns with the platform board members campaigned on. The controversial nature of the piece and the board's actions have divided the community, with students expressing disappointment and a sense of being misrepresented.
"The board's decision does not represent the student body," said Watertown High School senior Cooper Wood, who participated in Wednesday's walkout.
Students organized a walkout from classes on Wednesday to voice their opposition to the board's decision. The protest saw significant turnout from various student groups, signaling a broad discontent. Connor Sandvick, a member of the wind symphony, described his disappointment with what he termed censorship of a piece his peers had dedicated significant time to.
The context of the ban emerged from a board meeting on May 12th, which was reportedly tense and packed. Audience members frequently shouted or booed at board members during discussions about the music. Some board members, like Christina DeGrave, characterized the instrumental piece as potential "indoctrination" that could incite violence. The composer of the piece has also reportedly spoken out against the ban.
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The controversy first surfaced publicly in early May, when some school board members began questioning the suitability of the musical piece for the concert. Students involved in the wind symphony, such as senior Charlie Pliska, expressed surprise at the sudden debate over a piece they viewed as historically significant. The outcome of the protest and the board's potential reconsideration of its decision remain uncertain, with the concert proceeding without the banned song as of current reports. Board members have largely declined to comment to the media following the vote.
