Watertown School Board defends decision to pull song tied to LGBTQ+ history from spring concert

The Watertown School Board is defending its decision to remove an instrumental piece of music from the high school band’s spring concert.

Last week, the board voted 7-1 to pull “A Mother of A Revolution!” from the May 18 program, saying the piece violated the district’s controversial issues policy.

On Sunday, the board continued to defend the decision with a press release stating the board removed the song due to its “celebration of violence.”

“It is the responsibility of a public school to provide a strong, values-neutral education to all students,” the statement says. “As the encouragement of social violence continues to rise across the country, the Watertown Unified School District Board of Education stands firm on the principle that it is not the place of a public school to endorse or celebrate acts of violence.”

President Laurie Hoffman, who was the only school board member to vote against removing the song, posted the statement.

“A Mother of A Revolution!” was composed in 2019 by Omar Thomas for contemporary wind ensembles and does not have lyrics. 

Thomas dedicated the work to transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson, a key figure in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising against police raids in New York City.  The uprising is considered a milestone in the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement and its site is recognized with a national monument.

In October, Watertown Band Director Reid LaDew followed the district’s “controversial issues policy,” sending a note home to parents in October letting them know the class would be studying and preparing “A Mother of A Revolution!”

“The purpose behind studying Mother of a Revolution is not to provoke controversy, but to deepen students’ understanding of how music reflects the diverse experiences of humanity,”LaDew wrote. “Engaging with this piece helps foster empathy, cultural awareness, and respect for the stories and struggles that shape our shared history.”

At the time, one family objected. The school board didn’t object.

According to the statement on Sunday, concerned parents brought the upcoming performance to the attention of the public and the board this month.

“Based on the teachers’ description, the lesson was intended to persuade students toward emotional alignment with the events of the stonewall riot,” according to the statement from Hoffmann.

Hundreds of Watertown high school and middle school students walked out of class last week after the board’s decision to ban the piece of music.

On Monday, 775 alumni, staff or former staff, parents and other community members sent a letter to the school board saying LaDew followed the district’s controversial issues policy.

“Public schools exist to help every student learn, grow, and reach their full potential,” the letter says. “Decisions made by school leaders should always put students’ education, opportunities, and wellbeing first.”

Social Justice Watertown is planning to meet outside of the high school Monday evening to cheer the band students as they arrive for their concert.

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