Overview
- The school board, in a statement Sunday, said the instrumental work violates its controversial-issues policy and called it a “celebration of violence.”
- The board voted 7–1 on Tuesday to pull the piece from Monday’s spring concert, with President Laurie Hoffman the lone dissenter after her disclaimer proposal failed in a 4–4 tie, even though the band director had notified families in October with an opt-out that drew one objection.
- Minocqua Brewing Company scheduled the piece for Saturday, May 23 at its Madison taproom and is raising $20,000 for instruments after students were told school-owned ones could not be used.
- Composer Omar Thomas will conduct a community performance in Watertown on Wednesday at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church with local players, students, and a planned livestream.
- Hundreds of students walked out last week, and local groups planned to cheer band members before Monday’s concert at the high school.