Please DONATE to help with maintenance and upkeep of the Wind Repertory Project!

Mother of a Revolution!, A

From Wind Repertory Project
Jump to navigation Jump to search
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


Media


State Ratings

  • MusicFest Canada: B400


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • 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
  • University of Kentucky (Lexington) Concert Band (Ashley Shoupe, conductor) - 17 October 2022
  • Cornell College (Mt. Vernon, Iowa) Symphonic Band (Joshua W. Neuenschwander, conductor) - 13 October 2022
  • Appalachia: A Southeastern Wind Symphony (Knoxville, Tenn.) (Logan Campbell, conductor) - 3 September 2022
  • Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts (Murfreesboro) Wind Ensemble (Denny Hawkins, conductor) – 18 June 2022
  • University of Utah (Salt Lake City) Wind Ensemble (Tim Sexton, conductor) - 1 March 2022
  • National Youth Band of Canada (Darrin Oehlerking, conductor) - 13 May 2022
  • Luther College (Decorah, Ia.) Symphonic Band (Cory Near, conductor) - 13 April 2022
  • Oklahoma City (Okla.) University Wind Philharmonic (Matthew Mailman, conductor) - 1 March 2022
  • University of Tulsa (Okla.) Wind Ensemble (Andrew Anderson, conductor) - 28 February 2022
  • The Ohio State University (Columbus) Symphonic Band (Dustin Farr, conductor) - 20 February 2022
  • California All-State High School Concert Band (Vu Nguyen, conductor) – 20 February 2022 (2022 CASMEC Conference, Fresno)
  • Mundelein (Ill.) High School Wind Ensemble (Jerry Shelato, conductor) - 29 January 2022 (Illinois Music Education Conference, Peoria)
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Symphony Band (Brian Taylor, conductor) - 21 October 2021
  • University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Wind Ensemble (Adam Friedrich, conductor) - 15 November 2021
  • Syracuse (N.Y.) University Wind Ensemble (Paula Crider, conductor) - 19 October 2021
  • Metropolitan Music Community (Brooklyn, N.Y.) Symphonic Band (Jasmine Britt, conductor) - 31 July 2021
  • University of Texas (Austin) Wind Symphony (Scott Hanna, conductor) – 5 April 2019 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

Retrieved from "https://www.windrep.org/index.php?title=Mother_of_a_Revolution!,_A&oldid=404266"