On A Water Break

On a Water Break Podcast

On A Water Break is a weekly podcast for everyone in the marching arts. If you’re talking about it at rehearsal, on the bus ride home, or during a water break — we’re probably planning to talk about it on an upcoming episode. This show is built for performers, instructors, designers, adjudicators, and marching arts enthusiasts who want to stay connected to what’s happening across the activity — without the fluff or the filter. Each week, our rotating panel of experienced hosts dives into: Marching arts news and major stories shaping the activity Real conversations about band, color guard, drumline, drum corps, twirling, and parade performance Educational insights you can actually use in rehearsal Opinion, accountability, and culture conversations that reflect what people are really dealing with Community highlights and wins worth celebratingYou’ll hear recurring segments like: Marching Arts News — stories that matter, with context and discussion 60 Second Tech Block — focused, practical teaching ideas in under a minute Water We Doing?! — calling out habits, trends, and choices that deserve a second look Gush & Go — quick shoutouts to people, programs, and moments moving the activity forwardOn A Water Break isn’t about hot takes for clicks or recycled press releases. It’s about thoughtful conversation, lived experience, and sharing perspectives from people who have marched, taught, designed, judged, and produced at every level of the activity. Whether you’re in the middle of band camp, winter guard season, drum corps tour, or just missing rehearsal life — this podcast is your place to stay plugged in. 🎧 New episodes release weekly 🌐 Learn more at: https://www.onawaterbreak.com 📺 Watch on YouTube or listen on all major podcast platforms 💧 Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. 🎙️ A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes.

  1. 5d ago

    WGI 2027 Waitlists, BOA Color Guard Judging & WGI Percussion Changes | OAWB S4EP39

    WGI 2027: waitlists already? Color guard registration is already putting championship capacity in the spotlight. Whitney Stone, Jeremy Denzer, Sadie Wallace, Trish O’Shea and Garrett Lippie break down the early WGI waitlists, WGI percussion changes, European drum corps, whether BOA should judge color guard separately, and more. Garrett’s 60 Second Tech Block is all about why practice doesn’t make perfect — Practice Makes Permanent. CHAPTERS00:00 WGI 2027 Color Guard Tea02:02 Welcome + Recent OAWB Releases08:27 Quiet Spin Flagpole Test11:28 Derek Phillips Family Thanks the Marching Community16:15 Remembering Steve Vickers19:00 WGI 2027 Color Guard Registration + Waitlists25:15 WGI Percussion 2027: Quad Panel, Audio Theater + Regionals29:59 Scholastic Open Registration Check30:49 European Drum Corps Championships32:58 Guard Closet35:43 60 Second Tech Block37:27 Practice Makes Permanent43:46 Water We Doing?!51:21 Circuit Sound Systems53:48 Should BOA Judge Color Guard Separately?57:59 What Are We Going to Do About It?58:42 Who Actually Runs the Design?59:41 Gush & Go1:07:01 Bridgeland Wins BOA North Houston1:08:11 Whitney Shares a Personal Loss1:09:21 Closing Rehearsal ON THIS EPISODEWhitney Stone — @dancerwhitJeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzerSadie Wallace — @m.sadiewallaceTrish O’Shea — @trishdish1102Garrett Lippie — @g_lippie27Executive Producer: Jeremy Williams NEWS + RESOURCESDerek Phillips family/community support: https://www.kcci.com/article/family-of-derek-phillips-thanks-community-for-support/73859683University of Iowa remembrance: https://hawkeyemarchingband.uiowa.edu/news/2026/09/message-hawkeye-marching-band-and-school-musicSteve Vickers remembrance: https://www.dci.org/news/steve-vickers-longtime-publisher-of-drum-corps-world-dies-at-77/WGI July Board recap: https://www.wgi.org/26julyboardrecap/WGI Color Guard current entries: https://www.wgi.org/currententries/cg-current-entries/WGI Percussion calendar: https://www.wgi.org/percussion/p-calendar/European Drum Corps Championships preview: https://www.dci.org/news/ensembles-from-five-countries-will-be-represented-at-2026-european-drum-corps-championships/ MORE OAWBWebsite: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/Listen everywhere: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/linksNews: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/newsMeet the team: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/teamJoin us: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/join-usYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnawaterbreakInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onawaterbreakTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onawaterbreak RELATEDQuiet Spin Anchor System Quick Sip: https://youtu.be/2C5ubVbUOdkOAWB with Punk Rock Irving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY6RVI39mjc Presented by Guard Closet — https://www.guardcloset.com/ — @guardcloset

    WGI 2027 Waitlists, BOA Color Guard Judging & WGI Percussion Changes | OAWB S4EP39
  2. Sep 25

    Nimitz Band Shirt Pulled, SoundSport 2027 & Color Guard Tech Advice with Marching Arts News, Advice, & More| OAWB S4EP38

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Marching band season is fully underway, winter guard planning is starting, and this week Chris Rutt, Dalton Stout, Cynthia Bernard, Jeremy Svoboda and guest Monica Drohan tackle the Nimitz High School marching band shirt pulled by Aldine ISD, heat concerns at the Sullivan Marching Band Festival, Indiana’s 2027 Teacher of the Year Jason Witzigreuter, SoundSport 2027 registration and more. In this episode: Nimitz High School’s marching band shirt is pulled after complaints about its imageryNine people are treated for heat-related concerns at the Sullivan Marching Band FestivalHomestead band director Jason Witzigreuter is named Indiana’s 2027 Teacher of the YearSoundSport opens registration for the 2027 seasonMonica Drohan shares her 32 Count Life StoryCynthia Bernard breaks down count sheets, tempo, contrasting tape and rifle vs. saber techniqueWater We Doing?! takes on field entrances, soundtrack selection, asking for help, weather plans, breathing and conditioningPanel:Christopher E. Rutt — @wildhornbrass1Dalton Stout — @SaltyDaltiCynthia Bernard — @cynthiabernJeremy Svoboda / Drum Corps Today — @drumcorpstodayGuest: Monica Drohan / Evoke Performance Collective — @evoke_pc Chapters:01:34 Nimitz High School Band Shirt Pulled06:14 Sullivan Marching Festival Heat Emergency10:12 Indiana Teacher of the Year11:49 SoundSport 202718:34 32 Count Life Story22:19 60 Second Tech Block33:32 Water We Doing?!49:43 Gush & Go59:02 Closing Rehearsal Presented by Guard Closet. Uniforms, flags, costumes, consignment and design services for the marching arts. GuardCloset.com | @guardcloset Find On A Water Break: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/ | Listen Everywhere: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak | YouTube: @OnAWaterBreak | Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @onawaterbreak | Be a guest: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com

    Nimitz Band Shirt Pulled, SoundSport 2027 & Color Guard Tech Advice with Marching Arts News, Advice, & More| OAWB S4EP38
  3. Sep 19

    Hawkeye Band Honors Derek Phillips, HBCU Band Fight & DCI’s 1,000 Middle Schoolers | OAWB S4EP37

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Joey Montes III, Jeremy Denzer and Courtney Coffey check in on the fall marching season, then break down the Hawkeye Marching Band’s tribute to Derek Phillips and what it means for marching-band heat safety; Penn State’s Blue Band and Morgan State’s Magnificent Marching Machine bringing Hamilton to MetLife Stadium; the NCCU Sound Machine altercation with North Carolina A&T staff over “breaking ranks”; and DCI’s record 1,000-student INpact + BANDtastic! Indy honors bands. Jeremy’s 60 Second Tech Block explains how to listen to judge commentary twice, identify repeated themes and walk into critique ready for a real conversation. Water We Doing?! takes on velvet costumes, color guard designers being left off design-team announcements and staffs that refuse to delegate. Gush & Go spotlights Color Guard Tea Break, Simply Colorguard Spin School and the start of fall competition season. CHAPTERS00:00 Where Is Your Marching Season?08:03 Welcome to On A Water Break08:34 Hawkeye Band Honors Derek Phillips09:07 Marching Band Heat Safety + WBGT16:31 Penn State + Morgan State Bring Hamilton to MetLife18:12 HBCU Band Altercation + Breaking Ranks22:36 DCI’s 1,000 Middle School Performers27:24 Guard Closet29:02 60 Second Tech Block31:10 How to Use Judge Commentary Before Critique40:11 Water We Doing?!40:32 Velvet Costumes43:02 Why Color Guard Designers Belong on the Design Team45:14 Delegate to Your Staff47:59 Gush & Go52:27 Closing Rehearsal PANELJoey Montes III — @marchingbymontesJeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzerCourtney Coffey — Simply Colorguard PRODUCTIONExecutive Producer: Jeremy WilliamsAssociate Producer: Devin Rossey NEWS & RESOURCESHawkeye Marching Band tribute to Derek PhillipsWet Bulb Globe Temperature / heat safetyHamilton halftime with Penn State + Morgan StateNCCU / NC A&T band altercationDCI INpact + BANDtastic! IndyNOAA El Niño update MORE OAWBOnAWaterBreak.com | Episodes | News | Listen Everywhere | Team | Join Us RELATEDS4EP36 — Derek Phillips, WGI jobs, JD Shaw + recruitingS4EP29 — marching band heat rules + WBGT PRESENTED BY GUARD CLOSETUniforms, flags, costumes, consignment and design for the marching arts. GuardCloset.com | @guardcloset Subscribe, follow, review and share. We’ll see you at the next rehearsal — On A Water Break.

    Hawkeye Band Honors Derek Phillips, HBCU Band Fight & DCI’s 1,000 Middle Schoolers | OAWB S4EP37
  4. Sep 12

    WGI Jobs & Judging, JD Shaw Retires, Marching Band Recruiting + New Hosts | OAWB S4EP36

    WGI Jobs, JD Shaw Retires & Marching Band Recruiting | OAWB S4EP36Haley Harrington welcomes new OAWB team members Garrett Lippie and Devin Rossey for WGI opportunities, DCI offseason changes, marching band and color guard recruiting, JD Shaw’s Phantom Regiment retirement and Garrett’s 60 Second Tech Block on staying engaged through every hold. The panel also remembers Hawkeye Marching Band member Derek Phillips and asks why students still struggle to find a clear path into marching band.CHAPTERS00:00 Haley Takes the Host Chair00:34 Meet Garrett Lippie & Devin Rossey01:04 32 Count Life Stories06:23 Melanin Mosaic NYC Color Guard Casting08:18 Remembering Derek Phillips11:28 WGI Color Guard Event Manager12:54 WGI 2027 Judge Applications14:39 Blue Devils Percussion Staff Discussion17:23 JD Shaw Retires from Phantom Regiment20:12 Guard Closet21:51 60 Second Tech Block24:47 Stay Off Your Heels & Stay Engaged28:00 Water We Doing?!28:35 Why Is Marching Band So Hard to Join?32:02 Put the Sticks in Their Hands33:56 Color Guard Recruiting & Open Gyms34:56 Bringing Drum Corps Back to the Big Screen38:16 Stay Humble as Educators44:01 Gush & Go44:23 Jeremy Welcomes the New OAWB Team46:12 Garrett’s Gush & Go47:59 Devin Teases What’s Coming Next48:44 Haley’s Gush & Go50:59 Closing RehearsalPANELHaley Harrington — @h_harrington14Garrett Lippie — @g_lippie27Devin Rossey — @devvvie96Executive Producer: Jeremy WilliamsNEWS & RESOURCESMelanin Mosaic NYC castingRemembering Derek PhillipsWGI Color Guard Event ManagerWGI 2027 Judge ApplicationsBlue Devils StaffPhantom RegimentMORE OAWBOnAWaterBreak.com | Episodes | News | Listen Everywhere | Team | Join Us | BlogYouTube, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @onawaterbreakRELATEDQuietSpin Quick Sip: Spotify | YouTubePRESENTED BY GUARD CLOSETUniforms, flags, costumes, consignment & design for the marching arts. GuardCloset.com | @guardclosetEDITOR’S NOTE: The episode describes John Mapes as replacing Scott Johnson as Blue Devils percussion caption head. The current Blue Devils staff listing identifies Scott Johnson as Arranger/Caption Head and John Mapes as Arranger/Caption Manager.Subscribe, follow, review and share. We’ll see you at the next rehearsal—On A Water Break.

    WGI Jobs & Judging, JD Shaw Retires, Marching Band Recruiting + New Hosts | OAWB S4EP36
  5. Sep 6

    A Salute to Dolly Parton: Tennessee Roots & Marching Arts Legacy | OAWB S4EP35

    On A Water Break celebrates the life and legacy of Dolly Parton through her Tennessee roots, her connection to music education, and an unexpected part of her story: the marching arts. Ricardo Robinson-Shinall, Jeremy Denzer and Alicia Sharp are joined by Bri Eskenazi, Assistant Band Director with the Sevier County High School Band, Dolly Parton’s alma mater. Bri shares what Dolly’s legacy still means inside the school and Sevier County community, stories that have been passed down through generations, Dolly’s support of young people and education, and how her example continues to influence students walking the same halls where Dolly once dreamed of becoming a musician.Then it’s time for Dolly Takes the Field. Alicia brings Gates Chili Independent Winter Guard’s 2023 “Dolly,” Jeremy shares Sonnor Cadet CPEC’s unforgettable Tooth Fairy concept built around “9 to 5,” Bri revisits the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland’s Dolly Parton halftime production, and Ricardo closes the showcase with Dobyns-Bennett Winter Guard’s 2022 “Jolene and Diane.” The episode finishes with a special Gush & Go: Dolly Edition, including Alicia’s deeply personal connection between Dolly, her grandmother and growing up in East Tennessee.CHAPTERS00:00 A Salute to Dolly Parton02:49 Meet the Panel04:55 Meet Bri Eskenazi06:55 Bri’s 32 Count Life Story09:59 Sevier County High School & Its Community12:25 Dolly’s Legacy at Her Alma Mater18:20 The SCHS Concert, Buddy Program & Local Stories22:41 Dolly’s Philanthropy & the Band Uniforms27:00 What Dolly’s Example Teaches Young Musicians28:18 Dolly Parton in 32 Counts30:35 Water Break32:40 Dolly Takes the Field34:16 Gates Chili 2023 — Dolly39:06 Sonnor Cadet CPEC — The Tooth Fairy Works 9 to 542:18 Pride of the Southland’s Dolly Show44:50 Dobyns-Bennett — Jolene and Diane48:08 Gush & Go: Dolly Edition55:50 Supporting Sevier County High School56:49 Closing RehearsalGUESTBri Eskenazi — Assistant Band Director, Sevier County High School BandInstagram: @briannachristine12Sevier County High School Band: https://www.schs.sevier.org/27479_2Sevier County High School: https://www.schs.sevier.org/PANELRicardo Robinson-Shinall — @ricardorrobinsonJeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzerAlicia Sharp — @aliciaoninsta2VIDEOS FEATURED IN DOLLY TAKES THE FIELDAlicia — Gates Chili Independent Winter Guard 2023 “Dolly”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-EpYdl84E0Jeremy — Sonnor Cadet CPEC — Tooth Fairy / “9 to 5”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3zH-9PUeH0Bri — University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Dolly Parton Halftime Show: https://vimeopro.com/dollyparton/dollyparton/video/142027178Ricardo — Dobyns-Bennett Winter Guard 2022 “Jolene and Diane”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZsLo2HzSW4EPISODE RESOURCESDolly Parton Official Website: https://www.dollyparton.com/The Dollywood Foundation: https://dollywoodfoundation.org/Gates Chili Independent Winter Guard — WGI: https://www.wgi.org/23iareview/Dobyns-Bennett “Jolene and Diane” — WGI: https://www.wgi.org/dbfeature/ON A WATER BREAKWebsite: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/Listen Everywhere: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/linksMarching Arts News: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/newsMeet the Team: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/teamJoin Us: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/join-usYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnawaterbreakInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onawaterbreakTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onawaterbreakOn A Water Break is presented by Guard Closet: https://www.guardcloset.com/

    A Salute to Dolly Parton: Tennessee Roots & Marching Arts Legacy | OAWB S4EP35
  6. Sep 2 ·  Bonus

    Quiet Spin Anchor System Fixes Rattling Color Guard Flagpoles | OAWB Quick Sip

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes. That rattling weight inside your color guard flagpole? Bob from SouthEnd Precision 3D decided there had to be a better solution. In this OAWB Quick Sip, Trish O’Shea and Nicole Younger talk with Bob about the Quiet Spin Anchor System, a flexible 3D-printed insert designed to center a standard carriage-bolt weight inside a flagpole and eliminate the metal-on-metal movement that creates that familiar rattle. Jeremy Williams puts the Quiet Spin through a real flagpole test, and Bob explains how years as a guard dad—and roughly 45 revisions, including an early prototype his daughter promptly reported had shattered—led to the finished product. They also get into electrical tape, changing flagpole weights, guard glove clips, saber tips, hair-tie holders and the other hyper-specific marching arts problems SouthEnd Precision 3D is tackling. Featuring:Bob — SouthEnd Precision 3DTrish O’Shea — @trishdish1102Nicole Younger — @o2binpjsJeremy Williams — Quiet Spin demonstration Find SouthEnd Precision 3D: https://southendprecision3d.com/Quiet Spin Anchor System: Available through Guard Closet Quiet Spin Anchor Review: Guard Closet Review Presented by Guard ClosetYour one-stop shop for color guard, marching band and the marching arts.https://www.guardcloset.com/ | @guardcloset On A Water Break:Website: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/Listen Everywhere: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/linksHosts: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/hostsMarching Arts News: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/newsYouTube: @OnAWaterBreakInstagram, Facebook & TikTok: @onawaterbreak

    Quiet Spin Anchor System Fixes Rattling Color Guard Flagpoles | OAWB Quick Sip
  7. Aug 28

    Wanda Conway on George Zingali, Color Guard History, Fundamentals & Performer Safety | OAWB S4EP34

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Color guard educator, choreographer and adjudicator Wanda Conway joins Whitney Stone, Sadie Wallace and Jeremy Svoboda / Drum Corps Today for a conversation connecting decades of color guard history to the activity today. Wanda shares stories from growing up near George Zingali, Quasar and the 27th Lancers to teaching the Cavaliers as a teenager, working with the Cadets, teaching marching band in Indonesia, judging across the country and her current work with Onyx. The panel also digs into color guard fundamentals, writing choreography to music and drill, women in marching arts leadership, performer safety, physical preparation and the lifelong friendships built through the activity. Marching Arts News: Southern University's Human Jukebox x Gap; BGSU's 600-member Falcon Marching Band; Barberton's Student Opportunity to Participate Fund; Cody Fry feat. The Blue Devils on “Magic in You.” Chapters:00:00 Meet Wanda Conway02:06 Welcome04:13 Human Jukebox x Gap05:04 BGSU Hits 60008:07 Barberton Participation Fund09:33 Cody Fry x Blue Devils13:14 Wanda's 32 Count Life Story17:36 Teaching the Cavaliers19:17 Teaching in Indonesia24:17 Career Highlights26:02 Choreography with Sadie31:54 Fundamentals Still Matter34:23 What Are We Doing?!34:40 Women in Leadership38:26 Writing to Music and Drill40:54 Performer Safety46:11 Physical Preparation50:11 Gush & Go54:40 Banana Ball Meets Marching Band01:04:31 Closing Rehearsal Panel: Whitney Stone @dancerwhit | Sadie Wallace @m.sadiewallace | Jeremy Svoboda / Drum Corps Today @drumcorpstoday Guest: Wanda Conway Presented by Guard Closet. Listen everywhere, explore Marching Arts News, meet the hosts and find more On A Water Break.

    Wanda Conway on George Zingali, Color Guard History, Fundamentals & Performer Safety | OAWB S4EP34
4.5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

On A Water Break is a weekly podcast for everyone in the marching arts. If you’re talking about it at rehearsal, on the bus ride home, or during a water break — we’re probably planning to talk about it on an upcoming episode. This show is built for performers, instructors, designers, adjudicators, and marching arts enthusiasts who want to stay connected to what’s happening across the activity — without the fluff or the filter. Each week, our rotating panel of experienced hosts dives into: Marching arts news and major stories shaping the activity Real conversations about band, color guard, drumline, drum corps, twirling, and parade performance Educational insights you can actually use in rehearsal Opinion, accountability, and culture conversations that reflect what people are really dealing with Community highlights and wins worth celebratingYou’ll hear recurring segments like: Marching Arts News — stories that matter, with context and discussion 60 Second Tech Block — focused, practical teaching ideas in under a minute Water We Doing?! — calling out habits, trends, and choices that deserve a second look Gush & Go — quick shoutouts to people, programs, and moments moving the activity forwardOn A Water Break isn’t about hot takes for clicks or recycled press releases. It’s about thoughtful conversation, lived experience, and sharing perspectives from people who have marched, taught, designed, judged, and produced at every level of the activity. Whether you’re in the middle of band camp, winter guard season, drum corps tour, or just missing rehearsal life — this podcast is your place to stay plugged in. 🎧 New episodes release weekly 🌐 Learn more at: https://www.onawaterbreak.com 📺 Watch on YouTube or listen on all major podcast platforms 💧 Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. 🎙️ A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes.

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