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


Media


State Ratings

  • MusicFest Canada: B400


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Sacramento (Calif.) Symphonic Winds (Matthew Morse, conductor) - 8 October 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
  • 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
  • Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ont., Can.) Wind Orchestra (Colin Clarke, conductor)- 12 November, 2022
  • Millersville University (Penn.) Wind Ensemble (Joe Cernuto, Conductor) - 23 October 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
  • North Carolina 9-10 All State Honor Band (Margaret Underwood, conductor) - 1 May 2022
  • Appalachian State University (Boone, NC) Concert Band (T.j. Anderson, conductor) - 20 April 2022
  • 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

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