WATERTOWN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Watertown Unified School District has banned a piece of music that the high school band was set to play in their upcoming concert. 

Hundreds of students at Watertown High School staged a walkout on Wednesday, May 13, to protest the decision made at a school board meeting Tuesday night. 

The piece, titled "Mother of a Revolution," is entirely instrumental with no lyrics. 

It drew criticism from some board members last week because the composer wrote the piece to celebrate Marsha P. Johnson, an activist for LGBTQ rights tied to the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. 

Earlier in the school year, band teacher Reid Ladew sent a letter to parents about using the piece to educate students about art and social change. Parents and students were able to opt out of learning the composition. 

However, the month of the concert, board members determined the piece didn't align with a district policy to refrain from controversial issues that could undermine religious beliefs. 

Tuesday night, dozens attended a public comment session with board members filled with contention. 

"Doing this less than a week before the piece is supposed to be performed is horribly unfair to all of the kids," said Layla Turner, Watertown High School student.

"You should be disappointed in your educator, that instead of educating you and picking a piece that wouldn't cause controversy, that he instead chose a piece that was going to incite controversy in our community," said Tammy Fournier, board clerk with the Watertown School District. 

"Stop wasting our time making problems out of things that aren't problems," said Sarah Zarling, who is against the board decision. 

"We should not be training little liberals," said Dan Voeltner, Watertown School District board member. 

Before the vote, the board president filed a motion to play the song but add a disclaimer statement to the playbill, saying the piece reflects only the composer's opinions, not those of the school district. 

Ultimately, that did not pass, and the board voted seven to one to eliminate the piece. 

The concert is scheduled for Monday, May 18.