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. 17h ago

    Evanston Band Reports Hate, Pitt's Golden Guy Makes History | OAWB S4EP43

    Marching band, color guard and winter guard news: Two stories from the marching arts community take center stage this week. At Evanston Township High School, marching band and color guard members report racist and homophobic harassment during a football game against New Trier, prompting an investigation. At the University of Pittsburgh, 18-year-old Dante Dew is making history as the first male member of the Golden Girls baton-twirling squad. Whitney Stone, Ricardo Robinson-Shinall and Sadie Wallace discuss what accountability should look like for the Evanston students and celebrate Dante's milestone alongside the history of male baton twirlers and rifle lines. Plus, Bands of America regional results from Waco, St. Louis, Memphis and California, WGI's 2027 Future Leaders Program, and new pep band competitions. Ricardo tackles upside-down color guard flags in the 60 Second Tech Block, then takes aim at unnecessary props in Water We Doing?! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Preview | 01:05 Welcome | 01:37 Evanston Band Reports Harassment | 08:02 WGI Future Leaders | 10:41 BOA Regional Results | 15:49 Pitt's Golden Guy | 21:51 Pep Band Competitions | 27:13 Previously on OAWB | 32:29 Guard Closet | 34:09 60 Second Tech Block | 36:56 Upside-Down Flags | 44:48 Water We Doing?! | 54:40 Gush & Go | 1:02:06 Closing HOSTS: Whitney Stone (@dancerwhit), Ricardo Robinson-Shinall (@ricardorrobinson), Sadie Wallace (@m.sadiewallace). Associate Producer: Jeremy Williams. SOURCES: Evanston/New Trier: https://www.newtrier.k12.il.us/p/~board/homepage-news/post/joint-statement-from-eths-and-nths | Pitt's Golden Guy: https://www.post-gazette.com/life/goodness/2026/10/19/pitt-golden-girls-baton-twirlers-marching-band-dante-dew/stories/202610130023 | BOA: https://marching.musicforall.org/ | WGI: https://www.wgi.org/futureleaders/ | Varsity: https://www.varsity.com/performing-arts/pep-band-regional-competitions/ Presented by Guard Closet: https://www.guardcloset.com/ | Listen: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/links | News: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/news | Team: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/team | Join: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/join-us | Follow @onawaterbreak, subscribe and share.

    Evanston Band Reports Hate, Pitt's Golden Guy Makes History | OAWB S4EP43
  2. 5d ago

    2027 WGI Percussion & Winds Preview: Staff Moves, WGI 50 & Grimsley Update | S4EP42

    2027 WGI Percussion & Winds Preview | S4EP42 Stephen McCarrick, Garrett Lippie and Bill “Woody” Woodward break down the 2027 WGI indoor season: 50th anniversary ceremonies, RCC/United/IMPACT/Atlanta Quest staffing, Infinity 2 and Obsidian Winds class moves, Pulse/Blue Devils connections, Winds rule changes and the Grimsley band story. Plus: respect for rehearsal facilities, member fitness, and Gush & Go. Chapters (source-transcript times; confirm against final edit): 00:00 Intro; 01:17 Welcome; 04:03 WGI history series; 07:50 Garrett’s segment-name debate; 08:25 Woody joins; 13:37 News; 14:04 WGI 50 ceremony; 15:05 RCC; 17:43 United; 27:01 IMPACT; 29:24 Atlanta Quest; 31:37 Infinity 2; 32:37 Pulse/Blue Devils; 35:07 WGI entries; 36:09 Obsidian Winds; 37:04 Winds updates; 40:45 Grimsley follow-up; 49:45 Water We Doing; 01:00:17 Member fitness; 01:05:04 Gush & Go; 01:09:44 Wrap-up. On mic: Stephen @stephenmccarrick • Garrett @g_lippie27 • Woody @remoking100. AP: Devin Rossey @devvvie96. Produced by Jeremy Williams and Christine Ream. Theme music: Josh Lyda. Presented by Guard Closet: guardcloset.com • @guardcloset OAWB: Listen everywhere • News • Hosts • Join us • @onawaterbreak • onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com Episode sources: WGI 50 • RCC staff • United staff • Stephen/United • IMPACT • Atlanta Quest • Infinity • Blue Devils • Pulse • Obsidian • WGI Winds rules • Entries • Grimsley reporting. The Grimsley segment includes attributed accounts that differ; details not independently confirmed by OAWB are described as claims.

    2027 WGI Percussion & Winds Preview: Staff Moves, WGI 50 & Grimsley Update | S4EP42
  3. Oct 17

    Marching Band Ejected, Blessed Sacrament Turns 90 & Program Coordinator Responsibilities | OAWB S4EP41

    A marching band kicked out of a football game for playing music? Grimsley Senior High School's band was escorted out of a game against Varina in Virginia following a disagreement about playing while the ball was in play. Ashlee Amos, Bill “Woody” Woodward, Bobbey Biddle and Hayley Harrington discuss what happened and where the line falls between football rules and band traditions. In more marching arts news: a West Jordan police officer helps Tooele High School's marching band after an equipment trailer breaks down on I-80; Blessed Sacrament celebrates its 90th anniversary; and Music for All names Holly Blake, Matthew B. Carter, Cheryl Floyd and Dan Potter to its 2027 Hall of Fame class. 60-Second Tech Block: Woody tackles program coordinators, staff responsibilities, communication, budgets and program leadership. Water We Doing?! Why aren't more contests under the lights? Why so much Phantom of the Opera? Is fluttering replacing traditional drill? And are educators juggling too many teaching seasons? Plus Gush & Go. Chapters00:00 Preview00:56 Welcome01:45 Tooele Band Trailer Breakdown04:14 Grimsley Band Removed from Football Game11:47 Blessed Sacrament Turns 9015:10 Music for All Hall of Fame16:37 Previously on OAWB18:09 Guard Closet19:47 60-Second Tech Block21:50 What Does a Program Coordinator Do?23:55 Leadership & Accountability28:29 Budgets & Staff31:34 Communication34:57 Mentorship & Hiring41:50 Water We Doing?!42:23 Performing Under the Lights52:32 Phantom of the Opera58:49 Fluttering vs. Traditional Drill1:05:52 Teaching Multiple Seasons1:13:45 Gush & Go1:13:58 Bobbey1:20:18 Hayley1:25:07 Woody1:28:26 Ashlee1:31:19 Close Hosts: Ashlee Amos (@famousamossss_), Bill “Woody” Woodward (@remoking100), Bobbey Biddle (@bobbey107), Hayley Harrington (@h_harrington14). Sources:Grimsley — FOX8/WGHP syndicated report: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/grimsley-marching-band-kicked-high-150524211.htmlTooele — original KJZZ URL pending verification.Blessed Sacrament — https://www.wgi.org/blessedsacrament90/Music for All — https://musicforall.org/2027-hall-of-fame-inductees/ Presented by Guard Closet: https://www.guardcloset.com/ (@guardcloset) On A Water Break: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/ | Listen: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/links | News: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/news | Team: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/team | Join: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/join-us | @onawaterbreak Related: S4EP40 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtQreB75ItY

    Marching Band Ejected, Blessed Sacrament Turns 90 & Program Coordinator Responsibilities | OAWB S4EP41
  4. Oct 10

    Mandarins Return, Gold & Battalion Join DCI World Class + Color Guard Costuming | OAWB S4EP40

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. DCI’s 2027 World Class field is getting bigger. Chris Rutt, Grantis Peranda and Jeremy Svoboda break down the Mandarins’ approved return after a one-year hiatus and Gold and The Battalion moving from Open Class into DCI World Class beginning in 2027. The panel also remembers longtime Drum Corps World publisher and DCI Hall of Fame member Steve Vickers. Grantis takes the 60 Second Tech Block with practical fall color guard costuming advice: choose something that serves the show, survives the field, fits performers well and helps them feel confident. Water We Doing?! tackles recycled and overcomplicated show concepts, copyright and licensing frustrations, and performing in extreme weather. CHAPTERS00:00 DCI 2027 Headlines00:41 Welcome + News01:17 Mandarins Return to DCI03:08 Remembering Steve Vickers07:10 Gold + The Battalion Join World Class12:52 What You May Have Missed14:29 Guard Closet16:08 60 Second Tech Block17:17 Fall Color Guard Costuming29:23 Water We Doing?!33:04 Copyright & Marching Arts35:55 Extreme Weather + Performer Safety40:50 Gush & Go46:42 Final CTA + Closing Rehearsal PANELChris Rutt — @wildhornbrass1Grantis Peranda — @grantisimo_pJeremy Svoboda / Drum Corps Today — @drumcorpstoday NEWS & RESOURCESMandarins approved to return to the DCI Tour in 2027Remembering Steve Vickers — Drum Corps InternationalGold + The Battalion approved for DCI World Class in 2027 RELATED OAWBS4EP39 — WGI 2027 Waitlists, Percussion Changes + Practice Makes PermanentS4EP38 — Marching Arts News + Color Guard Tech Advice MORE OAWBOnAWaterBreak.com | Listen Everywhere | Marching Arts News | Meet the Team | Join Us | YouTubeInstagram / Facebook / TikTok: @onawaterbreak PRESENTED BY GUARD CLOSETGuardCloset.com | @guardcloset

    Mandarins Return, Gold & Battalion Join DCI World Class + Color Guard Costuming | OAWB S4EP40
  5. Oct 9 ·  Bonus

    WGI 50th Anniversary Series: Denise Bonfiglio | OAWB With

    WGI’s new Color Guard Chief Judge Denise Bonfiglio joins Trish O’Shea and Sadie Wallace for a special installment of the WGI 50th Anniversary Series — looking back at nearly 50 years of winter guard history and ahead to what comes next. Denise has been part of WGI since its earliest years as an instructor, designer, adjudicator and educator. She revisits the programs that transformed color guard, explains why WGI’s promotion system is working, discusses growing championship waitlists and venue capacity, and takes us inside the process that led to her becoming WGI Color Guard Chief Judge. She also traces her role in WGI’s adjudication philosophy, mentoring judges, and the challenge of coordinating roughly 380 judging assignments for the season. CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome — Denise Bonfiglio joins OAWB00:36 Trish, Denise & Sadie reconnect01:22 WGI’s 50th anniversary05:33 Color guards that changed WGI14:44 Could anyone have imagined 50 years?16:39 Scholastic World growth20:09 Why the promotion system works22:48 Waitlists & championship venue capacity23:58 Denise’s road to WGI Color Guard Chief Judge26:36 WGI adjudication philosophy28:58 Mentorship and training judges30:54 What the Chief Judge job requires31:24 Roughly 380 judging assignments33:39 Dale Powers & Emerald Marquis memories35:51 Looking toward WGI 202739:09 Closing GUESTDenise Bonfiglio — WGI Color Guard Chief Judge HOSTSTrish O’Shea — @trishdish1102Sadie Wallace — @m.sadiewallace WATCH MORE WITH DENISEDenise Bonfiglio’s first OAWB interview + 32 Count Life Story OFFICIAL WGI RESOURCESDenise Bonfiglio Named Color Guard Chief JudgeWGI 50th Anniversary Opening Ceremonies2027 WGI Color Guard Calendar RELATED OAWBGreg Case — includes OAWB’s earlier coverage of Denise’s appointment MORE ON A WATER BREAKWebsite | Listen Everywhere | Marching Arts News | Meet the Team | Join Us Follow @onawaterbreak on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok. Presented by Guard Closet — uniforms, flags, costumes, consignment and design for the marching arts.

    WGI 50th Anniversary Series: Denise Bonfiglio | OAWB With
  6. Oct 2

    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
  7. 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
  8. 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
4.5
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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