Mother of a Revolution!, A

From Wind Repertory Project

Omar Thomas

Omar Thomas


Subtitle: Honoring Marsha P. Johnson


General Info

Year: 2019
Duration: c. 4:10
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Omar Thomas
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $140.00   |   (digital) - $25.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion I-II, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos
  • Conga
  • Drum Set
  • Marimba
  • Ratchet
  • Snare Drum
  • Splash Cymbal
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Triangle
  • Waterphone
  • Whip


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This piece is a celebration of the bravery of trans women, and in particular Marsha "Pay It No Mind" Johnson. Marsha is credited with being one of the instigators of the famous Stonewall uprising of June 28, 1969 -- one of the pivotal events of the LGBTQ liberation movement of the 20th century -- which is commemorated annually during the worldwide Gay Pride celebrations. Existing as a trans woman, especially a trans woman of color, and daring to live authentically, creating space for oneself in a transphobic world, is one of the bravest acts I can imagine. Over 20 trans women were murdered in the United States in 2018 alone. There is no demographic more deserving and, frankly, long overdue for highlighted heroism and bravery. The disco vibe in the latter half of the piece is meant to honor club culture, a sacred space held amongst LGBTQ persons in which to love, live, mourn, heal, strategize, connect, disconnect, and dance in defiance of those outside forces who would seek to do LGBTQ persons harm simply for daring to exist and take up space.

We pump our fists to honor the life, heroism, activism, and bravery of Marsha P. Johnson, to honor the legacy of the Stonewall revolution, to honor the memory of the trans lives violently ended due to fear and hatred, and in honor of trans women worldwide who continue to exist unapologetically and who demand to be seen.

This piece was commissioned by the Desert Winds Freedom Band, under the direction of Dean McDowell, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

- Program Note by composer


Police raids of gay bars frequently occurred during the 1950s and 1960s. In the early hours of June 28, 1969, member of the New York City Police Department raided the Stonewall Inn. Patrons resisted arrest and a scuffle broke out. A crowd of protesters grew, and a clash between demonstrators and police ensued for several hours. Protests and riots continued for six days.

- Program Note from Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 12


On May 12, 2026, the Watertown (Wisc.) school board voted 7-1 to remove A Mother of a Revolution from an upcoming concert by the Watertown High School Wind Symphony, prompting an emotional public meeting filled with protests from students, parents and community members.

School board members argued that the composition violated the district’s controversial issues policy, with some accusing it of endorsing political violence. One board member said, "My concern is as I was reading about it, it's described specifically as a celebration of Marsha Johnson, who was a cross-dressing prostitute who threw a brick at a police officer." Several students, however, said the decision felt like a rejection of LGBTQ+ students and community members.

Composer Omar Thomas wrote before the decision:

"Despite what has come to be popular belief in some circles, empathy is not a weakness. I'm incredibly proud to be a part of a tradition that makes space for and highlights our shared humanity, and that chooses to exercise this most precious muscle. Our common human story is what we investigate every time we gather to prepare a piece of music, and it's what we radiate outwards to the audience every time we perform. It stays with us and changes us. Let these kids play this piece. Let them be the stewards for our shared humanity. Let them remind you of why it is that we're here. The Arts lead the way."

The Watertown community, with no school involvement, quickly organized a performance of the piece, and on May 20, only eight days after the school board's denial, an ad hoc community band, conducted by Omar Thomas, performed A Mother of a Revolution to a turn-away crowd in a local church, More than 3600 viewers watched the live stream.

Concert organizer Matt. Koscinski said, " When art is silenced, community speaks louder. You can't extinguish light by closing your eyes."

- Program Note from WTMJ-TV, Omar Thomas and Wind Repertory Project


Media


State Ratings

  • MusicFest Canada: B400


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Alberta Summer Band (Edmonton, AB) (Joel Forth, conductor) - 1 July 2026
  • Watertown (Wisc.) ad hoc community group (Omar Thomas, conductor) - 20 May 2026
  • Ohlone Symphonic Band (Fremont, Calif.) (Tony Clements, conductor) - 17 May 2026
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Symphony Band (Joshua W. Neuenschwander, conductor) – 7 May 2026
  • Baden-Württemberg (Ger.) Youth Wind Ensemble (Alexander Beer, conductor) - 6 January 2026
  • Anne Arundel Community College (Arnold, Md.) Concert Band (Paul Dembowski, conductor) - 23 November 2025
  • Randolph Macon College (Ashland, VA) Wind Ensemble (Brian Coffill, conductor) – 3 October 2025
  • Missouri State University (Springfield) Wind Ensemble (Brad Snow, conductor) – 29 April 2025
  • University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) Wind Symphony (Cy Curtis, conductor) - 22 April 2025
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Symphony Band (Malcolm Jones, guest conductor) - 15 April 2025
  • Texas A&M University-Kingsville Concert Band (Kyle Aufderhar, conductor) - 12 March 2025
  • Ohio University (Athens) Wind Symphony (Nathan Wise, conductor) – 7 March 2025
  • San Antonio Community Wind Ensemble (Texas) (Albert Aguilar, conductor) - 9 February 2025
  • Northshore Concert Band (Evanston, Ill.) (Mallory Thompson, conductor) – 20 November 2024
  • Northshore Concert Band (Evanston, Ill.) (Mallory Thompson, conductor) – 10 November 2024
  • Smith College (Northampton, Mass.) Wind Ensemble (Meghan MacFadden, conductor) - 2 May 2024
  • Fort Lewis College (Durango, Colo.) Symphonic Band (Justin Hubbard, conductor) – 18 April 2024
  • Lexington (Mass.) High School Wind Ensemble (Jared Cassedy, conductor) --15 April 2024 (Washington D.C. International Music Festival)
  • Florida State University (Tallahassee) Symphonic Band (Ashley Deane, conductor) - 2 April 2024
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's) Wind Ensemble (Carter Gaus, conductor) - 17 March 2024
  • Texas Community College Band Directors Association (TCCBDA) All-State Wind Symphony (Tamey Anglley, conductor) – 10 February 2024 (2024 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • Toronto (Ont., Can.) Youth Symphonic Winds (Dan Horner, conductor) - 1 December 2023
  • Southeastern Louisiana University Wind Symphony (Hammond) (Robert Schwartz, conductor) - 14 November 2023
  • Rouge River Winds (Toronto, Ont., Can.) (Pratik Gandhi, conductor) - 10 November 2023
  • Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Tamey Anglley, conductor) - 17 October 2023
  • Sacramento (Calif.) Symphonic Winds (Matthew Morse, conductor) - 8 October 2023
  • California State University, Los Angeles Wind Ensemble (Peter Bement, conductor) - 6 October 2023
  • Metropolitan Wind Symphony (Boston, Mass.) (Meghan MacFadden, conductor) - 10 June 2023
  • ACB 2023 Massed Pride Band (Orlando, Fla.) (David Triplett-Rosa, conductor) – 20 May 2023 (ACB 2023 Annual Convention (Orlando, Fla.))
  • Toronto (Ont., Can.) Youth Wind Orchestra (Mark Caswell, conductor) - 30 April 2023
  • Christopher Newport University (Newport News, Va.) University Band (Mark P. Johnson, conductor) - 17 April 2023
  • Morningside University (Sioux City, Ia.) Wind Ensemble (Martin I. Gaines, conductor) - 2 April 2023
  • Manhattan Wind Ensemble (New York City) (Sarah Fernandez, conductor) - 11 March 2023
  • Cleveland (Ohio) Youth Wind Symphony Group I (Daniel Crain, conductor) – 5 March 2023
  • National Concert Band of America (Alexandria, Va.) (Adrian Holton, conductor) - 5 March 2023
  • West Virginia University (Morgantown) Symphonic Band (Cheldon R. Williams, conductor) - 26 February 2023
  • Brooklyn (N.Y.) Wind Symphony (Cynthia Johnston Turner, conductor) - 19 December 2022 (2022 Midwest Clinic)
  • Sacramento (Calif.) State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Matthew Morse, conductor) - 7 December 2022
  • Metropolitan Winds of Toronto (Ont., Can.) (Kevin Vuong, conductor) - 26 November 2022
  • Syracuse (N.Y.) University Wind Ensemble (Bradley Ethington, conductor) - 15 November 2022
  • Keokuk (Iowa) High School Symphonic Band (Jesse Deese, conductor) - 10 May 2022
  • Luther College (Decorah, Ia.) Symphonic Band (Cory Near, conductor) - 13 April 2022
  • University of Texas (Austin) Wind Symphony (Scott Hanna, conductor) – 5 April 2019 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

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Resources

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