The US Government Canceled a Youth Concert. Military Veterans Uncanceled It.

 
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The US Government Canceled a Youth Concert. Military Veterans Uncanceled It.

Rishab Jain, percussionist and high school senior

04-02-2025

Young musicians pose with Baltimore Symphony Music Director Jonathon Heyward. Photo: Equity Arc.

Editors’ Note: On February 24, 2025, the organization Equity Arc, which strives to “create a level playing field for BIPOC classical musicians in the United States,” was notified that a long-planned concert and learning intensive had suddenly been canceled. The concert was a unique one—a joint performance featuring members of the United States Military Band (USMB) and 30 young Black, Hispanic, Indian, and Asian students—and involved two years of coordination. But the Trump Administration’s sweeping shutdown of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives was forcing the USMB to cancel.

And then something remarkable happened: Equity Arc Director Stanford Thompson and his team reached out to retired members of the Armed Forces about reviving the idea, and they answered the call. (Retirees were outside of the Administration’s purview, since they are no longer active band members.) In a matter of days, the learning intensive and the concert were back on—with the organizational support of Equity Arc, and with retired veterans taking the place of the active USMB members. The concert was performed on March 16 on the CBS television show 60 Minutes.

One of the participating young musicians, Rishab Jain, shares his experience with us here.

As a child, I was surrounded by music. Both my mom and my sister were musicians, and our home was perpetually filled with singing or violin playing. When not making music ourselves, my family was listening to it; I would often hear different beats or grooves and think to myself, “How cool would it be to be able to play that!” When I first heard my best friend play a drum solo, I knew I wanted to play percussion.

Rishab (center, collared shirt) and his peers learn from Baltimore Symphony Music Director Jonathon Heyward. Photo: Equity Arc.

Growing up near the nation’s capital, I was always searching for live performances to attend. It seemed that no matter where I searched, I kept finding my way back to the fantastic concerts given by the premier “President’s Own” United States Marine Band (USMB). For years, I admired, analyzed, and dreamed of a chance to stand beside those world-class musicians. As I grew, many of the band’s musicians became my closest mentors, guiding me through hardships and celebrating my victories in both music and life.

When I learned that the organization Equity Arc was presenting a wind symphony concert and learning intensive that brought together under-represented youth musicians and the USMB, I was ecstatic. This was a chance to stand beside my idols, the individuals I’d looked up to since first discovering them. I prepared like never before. And, eventually, the hard work paid off: I was selected. It felt surreal; finally, a chance to perform with my heroes, my mentors, my friends.

The excitement grew for weeks…until February 24, when I received an email that stated: “In accordance with recent Executive Orders impacting DEI-related programming for federal agencies, the Marine Band has been instructed to cancel our collaboration.” In that moment, unfamiliar emotions took hold—rage, frustration, and profound disappointment. It wasn’t just that I wouldn’t get the chance to play with the Marine Band, or even that over 30 young musicians would be stripped of this chance, but also that they—our mentors, our heroes—wouldn’t get to play with us. The bond between teacher and student in music is unlike any other. These individuals become more than instructors; they become family. The idea that such a meaningful collaboration had been taken from all of us felt unjust. So really, I was upset for them, the legends in our field being held against their will and barred from playing with their own students.

And then, exactly seven days and six hours later, came the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to play side by side with retired military band musicians on 60 Minutes. The group comprised not only retired Marines but folks who had served in each branch of the Armed Forces—folks who believed strongly in our concert’s message. Here, finally, was an opportunity to both display our talents and make a statement about the state of our country. About how, no matter what, the power of artistic expression always transcends its oppressors.

Rishab behind his kettle drums during rehearsal. Photo: Equity Arc.

This was no small thing. These are musicians who spent decades serving their country, embodying the highest standards of artistry and discipline. And yet, in retirement, they were willing to take a stand and defy the administration. Their conviction reminded us that, when institutions falter, individuals must rise to defend what matters.

Just one week after receiving the email, 22 student musicians and 28 retired military band musicians from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. to kick off an ambitious weekend. The musical schedule was rigorous: score study with Musical Director Rodney Dorsey on Friday night, two rehearsals and a sectional on Saturday, and a dress rehearsal leading into our final concert on Sunday afternoon.

The first rehearsal was unforgettable. As we shuffled in, the military musicians greeted us with open arms and even a couple of warm hugs. The environment they fostered felt safe and inviting, a reflection of the very inclusivity we were fighting for. The first piece we rehearsed was Julie Giroux’s “One Life Beautiful.” Though we started there simply to understand each other’s sounds, the piece is so loaded with emotion that it felt fitting for a program honoring inclusion. As we played, I could see smiles rising throughout the ensemble, tears forming in many of our eyes. It was a moment of connection, of shared purpose. The retired musicians—whom we affectionately called “the pros”—offered inspiring guidance and support.

The most memorable moments, however, came not in rehearsal but over meals. The atmosphere was electric. Individuals from every different branch of the military sat together like lifelong friends. We shared stories of our musical journeys, debated our favorite repertoire, and laughed about why a percussionist marrying another percussionist might be a terrible idea. The connections we formed within these seemingly trivial interactions were especially touching, reinforcing just how heartless and shortsighted the decision to cancel the Marine Band collaboration had been.

As we prepared to play our first notes of our final performance the next day, my heart was racing—not simply because we had over 40 minutes of music ahead of us, but from the sheer significance of what we were about to do. This concert was more than a performance; it was a stand against systemic barriers that restrict access to the arts.

With the final notes of the concert came tears—of joy, of triumph, of victory. We had done it. Within a week, we had put together a group of over 50 musicians that represented the very values our country was built on.

In a world where arts experiences feel inaccessible to many, our volunteer ensemble proved that talent isn’t limited by opportunity. Making music in a space dedicated to breaking those barriers was powerful, proving what’s possible when equity is prioritized. The arts aren’t a privilege to be granted or revoked. They are a fundamental right. And whether individuals believe in their power or not, the arts will always shine through.

Watch the full concert on the 60 Minutes YouTube channel.

 

60 Minutes Concert, April 2025, Artistic Equity, artistic expression, Arts Accessibility, Arts and Activism, BIPOC Musicians, Cultural Advocacy, DEI Initiatives, Diversity in Classical Music, ensemble learning, Equity Arc, Inclusivity in Music, Intergenerational Music Collaboration, Military Veterans in Music, Music and Community, Music and Social Justice, Music as a Fundamental Right, Music as Resistance, Music Collaboration, Music Education, Music Mentorship, Overcoming Adversity, Performance and Protest, Representation in Music, Retired Military Musicians, Rishab Jain, social change through music, Stanford Thompson, Student Empowerment, Systemic Barriers in the Arts, U.S. Military Band, Wind Symphony, Youth Leadership in the Arts

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