On A Water Break

On a Water Break

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. 2d ago

    Fusion Winter Guard Pauses After WGI Championship, Texas Marching Band Heat Rules & Boise Gems | OAWB S4EP29

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Marching band heat safety, Fusion Winter Guard’s pause after winning the 2026 WGI Independent World Championship, and the future of regional DCI Open Class drum corps lead this week’s On A Water Break. Joey Montes III is joined by Nicole Younger, Ricardo Robinson-Shinall, Jeremy Denzer and Haley Harrington to discuss Fusion’s decision to pause beginning with the 2027 season, Boise Gems’ inaugural Open Class campaign, mandatory Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature monitoring for Texas marching bands, the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands moving to AT&T Stadium, marching arts performers at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and the legacy of Bands of America founder Larry McCormick. In this episode:• Fusion Winter Guard pauses after winning WGI Independent World• Boise Gems completes its first DCI Open Class affiliate season• The case for smaller corps and shorter regional tours• Texas mandates WBGT heat monitoring for marching band activities• HBCU marching bands head to AT&T Stadium in 2027• Remembering Bands of America founder Larry McCormick• Ricardo’s 60 Second Tech Block: performance is more than a smile• Respecting color guard equipment and putting flags on the pole correctly• Building shows around the performers you actually teach• Making room for rest, recovery and life outside rehearsal Featuring:Joey Montes III — @marchingbymontesNicole Younger — @o2bnpjsRicardo Robinson-Shinall — @ricardorrobinsonJeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzerHaley Harrington — @h_harrington14 Presented by Guard ClosetYour one-stop shop for color guard, marching band and the marching arts.GuardCloset.com | @guardcloset Find On A Water Break:WebsiteYouTubeListen Everywhere and Find All LinksBe a guest: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com Follow @onawaterbreak on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes. 00:00 Welcome and panel introductions05:53 Previous episode recap07:04 HBCU bands and the 2027 National Battle of the Bands12:23 Texas mandates WBGT monitoring for marching bands21:54 Boise Gems’ first DCI Open Class season24:12 The case for smaller corps and regional tours28:44 Marching arts performers at the MLB All-Star Game31:52 Remembering Bands of America founder Larry McCormick35:08 Fusion Winter Guard pauses after winning WGI40:04 60 Second Tech Block43:19 Performance is more than a smile49:46 Water We Doing?!50:14 Stop carrying rifles by the strap53:09 Design for the performers you actually have58:15 Respect your color guard equipment01:00:07 Please stop mounting flags upside down01:02:01 Removing stains from white uniforms01:06:40 Make time for yourself01:08:45 Gush & Go01:15:06 Closing rehearsal

    Fusion Winter Guard Pauses After WGI Championship, Texas Marching Band Heat Rules & Boise Gems | OAWB S4EP29
  2. Jul 17

    Marching Arts News: ICE Detention, DCI Debate & Baton Nationals

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes. Marching arts news moves fast, and this week the panel takes on two stories reaching well beyond the rehearsal field: the ICE detention of Maria Rosales after a trip to Boston with members of her performing team, and a packed national championship season for baton twirling. Ashlee Amos leads Bill “Woody” Woodward, Bobbey Biddle, Kim Webb and Haley Harrington through the news, a practical 60-Second Tech Block for band directors, and a Water We Doing?! conversation about DCI streaming, ensemble culture, burnout and the way performers are treated online. THIS WEEK’S PANELAshlee Amos — @famousamossss_Bill “Woody” Woodward — @remoking100Bobbey Biddle — @bobbeyboy107Kim Webb — @kimpossible413Haley Harrington — @h_harrington14 IN THE NEWS The detention of Maria Rosales at Boston Logan Airport and what the story means for educators traveling with performers, students who are afraid for their families and adults responsible for keeping young people safe.Inside baton twirling’s national championship season, including the U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships, America’s Youth on Parade, Miss Majorette of America, Grand National competition and international qualification for the Nations Cup, World Championships and Inspiration Cup. 60-SECOND TECH BLOCKKim Webb explains why singing and humming with your band can improve intonation, listening, intervals, phrasing and musicality. Her starting point is simple: if students cannot hear and sing the phrase, they are not ready to play it correctly. WATER WE DOING?! West Coast DCI shows that begin near bedtime for East Coast viewers.Leaving color guard and percussion outside the full ensemble culture.Educators who never make room for a life beyond marching arts.What the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders documentary gets right about performers as athletes.Adults who criticize performers online for design decisions the performers did not make. GUSH & GOBobbey celebrates a historic Miss Pennsylvania win for Miss Philadelphia, Haley finds a better way to stay hydrated, and Ashlee previews “Joyride,” her upcoming marching band production. NEWS & RESOURCESICE detention following a Boston concert trip — The Boston GlobeU.S. National Baton Twirling Championships — USTAAmerica’s Youth on Parade 2026 — NBTA PRESENTED BY GUARD CLOSETYour one-stop shop for color guard, marching band and the marching arts.Shop Guard Closet | @guardcloset FIND ON A WATER BREAKWebsite | Listen Everywhere | All Links | Be a GuestEmail: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.comFollow @onawaterbreak on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

    Marching Arts News: ICE Detention, DCI Debate & Baton Nationals
  3. Jul 10

    Greg Case on the Blue Devils Bus Fire, DCI Leadership Changes & Canceled Parades

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Blue Devils transportation team member Greg Case gives a firsthand account of the 2026 bus fire, how everyone got to safety, what members lost, and how the Loveland community helped the corps keep moving. Trish O’Shea, Nicole Younger, and Jeremy Williams also cover Brad Furlano’s appointment as DCI’s next CEO, Denise Bonfiglio becoming WGI Color Guard Chief Judge, and the marching bands that found new stages after America 250 parades were canceled by extreme heat. Then Greg takes the 60 Second Tech Block with a lesson on driving a sleeper bus while an entire support team is trying to sleep. In this episode: The Blue Devils bus fire and community responseDrum corps transportation, tour logistics, and driver responsibilityBrad Furlano’s appointment as DCI’s next CEODenise Bonfiglio’s appointment as WGI Color Guard Chief JudgePhiladelphia and Washington, D.C. parade cancellationsFriends of DCI seating, FloMarching access, and weather backup plans60 Second Tech Block: the art of driving a drum corps sleeper busChapters:00:00 Welcome • 02:07 Meet Greg Case • 04:37 Blue Devils bus fire • 11:51 Brad Furlano and DCI • 15:20 Denise Bonfiglio and WGI • 17:52 America 250 parade cancellations • 25:58 60 Second Tech Block • 31:57 Water We Doing?! • 42:58 Gush & Go • 50:22 Closing Guest and panel:Greg Case — YouTube @gregcase221 | TikTok @gregcase75Trish O’Shea — @trishdish1102Nicole Younger — @o2binpjsJeremy Williams — @guardcloset News sources:Blue Devils incident update • 9NEWS community coverage • DCI appoints Brad Furlano • WGI appoints Denise Bonfiglio • Philadelphia parade coverage • Bands perform after the cancellation • Farmington High School finds a new stage • Washington, D.C. parade cancellation Related episode:OAWB S4EP24: Blue Devils Bus Fire, WGI 2027 Calendar, DCI Houston Move & Marching Band Cuts Sponsored by Guard Closet:New and consignment color guard, winter guard, and marching band gear at GuardCloset.com and @guardcloset. Find On A Water Break:Website • Listen Everywhere • YouTube • Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @onawaterbreak • Be a guest • onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com

    Greg Case on the Blue Devils Bus Fire, DCI Leadership Changes & Canceled Parades
  4. Jul 4

    Drum Corps History, DCI Ticket Prices & 2026 Tour Model Debate | OAWB S4EP25

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes. Color guard, winter guard, marching band, drum corps, DCI 2026, and WGI are all on deck this week. Whitney Stone is joined by Sadie Wallace, Jeremy Svoboda from Drum Corps Today, and special guest P.A. Kelly / Patti Ann Rego for a Water Break Weekly episode connecting old-school drum corps history to the 2026 season. P.A. shares stories from the Bronx, Blessed Sacrament, Santa Clara Vanguard, the Blue Devils, rifle lines, inspection lines, the Bottle Dance, Blue Devils “Betties,” and the generational shift from early drum corps to today’s DCI and WGI world. The panel also talks Big, Loud & Live, FloMarching, DCI West, River City Rhapsody, the 2026 MLB All-Star Game field cast opportunity in Philadelphia, first DCI scores, ticket prices, the tour model, and the peak Backyard Betty conversation. Segments: Guest Spotlight: P.A. Kelly / Patti Ann Rego on Vanguard, Blue Devils, gold medals, rifle lines, and drum corps historyNews: Walnut Hills practice time, Blue Devils bus incident, DCI Houston relocation, WGI updates, Big Loud & Live, FloMarching, DCI scores, and MLB All-Star field cast opportunityWater We Doing?!: DCI ticket prices, smaller lineups, the tour model, and modern show designGush & Go: Momix, the Human Library, Govenaires, Blue Knights, moving, not moving, vintage rifles, Blue Devil Betties, and Backyard BettysPanel: Whitney Stone @dancerwhit • Sadie Wallace @m.sadiewallace • Jeremy Svoboda / Drum Corps Today @drumcorpstoday • Special Guest: P.A. Kelly / Patti Ann Rego Sponsored by: Guard Closet — guardcloset.com — @guardcloset Source Links: Walnut Hills: https://local12.com/news/local/cincinnati-marching-band-miss-season-after-practice-time-cut-walnut-hills-high-school-students-bands-marching-instruments-talent-controversy-controversial-frustrations-state-finals-performances | Blue Devils: https://bluedevils.org/news/article.php?ID=1291 | DCI Houston: https://www.dci.org/news/katy-isds-legacy-stadium-to-host-2026-dci-houston-event/ | WGI proposals: https://www.wgi.org/26adboardresults/ | WGI alumni casting: https://www.wgi.org/wgi-opening-ceremony-alumni-casting-call/ | Big Loud & Live: https://www.dci.org/cinema/ | DCI/FloMarching: https://www.flomarching.com/articles/16020294-subscribe-to-flomarching-to-watch-the-entire-2026-dci-season | DCI scores: https://www.dci.org/scores/ | BD Entertainment: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreBDE/ | MLB All-Star Week: https://www.mlb.com/phillies/fans/all-star-game | MOMIX: https://www.momix.com/ | Human Library: https://humanlibrary.org/ Find On A Water Break: Website: onawaterbreak.com | Listen Everywhere: linktr.ee/onawaterbreak | YouTube: @Onawaterbreak | Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @onawaterbreak | Be a guest: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com

    Drum Corps History, DCI Ticket Prices & 2026 Tour Model Debate | OAWB S4EP25
  5. Jun 28

    Blue Devils Bus Fire, WGI 2027 Calendar, DCI Houston Move & Marching Band Practice Cuts | Color Guard, Winter Guard, Drum Corps, Marching Band & Marching Arts News on OAWB

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Color guard, winter guard, and marching band news are moving fast as DCI 2026 gets rolling and WGI 2027 starts coming into view. Nicole Younger hosts Stephen McCarrick and Jeremy Svoboda for a Water Break Weekly episode covering Walnut Hills High School marching band rehearsal access, the Blue Devils travel incident, DCI Houston’s move to Katy ISD’s Legacy Stadium, and the newly released WGI 2027 Color Guard, Percussion, and Winds regional calendars. In this episode: Walnut Hills marching band practice-time concerns and why rehearsal access mattersBlue Devils members and staff reported safe after a tire-related bus fireDCI Houston moving to Katy ISD’s Legacy Stadium for the 2026 tourWGI 2027 regional calendars for color guard, percussion, and winds60 Second Tech Block: Stephen on training technique through muscle awarenessWater We Doing?!: late DCI show announcements, rehearsal leaks, copyright realities, and respecting admin teamsNicole highlights the African American Legacy Corps and its 2027 DCI plansGush & Go: Eastern University, Phantom Regiment, Colts percussion, Eagles Drumline, and FIFA performance lifeRelated Episodes: S4EP23: Summer Color Guard Training, WGI Rule Changes & DCI Houston Relocation | Color Guard & Marching Band Design Analysis | Pro Tip Besties This week’s panel: Nicole Younger @o2binpjs • Stephen McCarrick @stephenmccarrick • Jeremy Svoboda / Drum Corps Today @drumcorpstoday Sponsored by: Guard Closet. Find On A Water Break: Website | Listen Everywhere | YouTube | Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @onawaterbreak | Be a guest: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com

    Blue Devils Bus Fire, WGI 2027 Calendar, DCI Houston Move & Marching Band Practice Cuts | Color Guard, Winter Guard, Drum Corps, Marching Band & Marching Arts News on OAWB
  6. Jun 12 ·  Bonus

    Color Guard & Marching Band Design Analysis | Pro Tip Besties with Nicole Younger + Dalton Stout

    Color Guard, Winter Guard & Marching Band Design AnalysisDesign analysis does not have to feel like a mystery. In this special Pro Tip Besties episode of On A Water Break, Nicole Younger and Dalton Stout dig into the Design Analysis caption with real questions from real color guard, winter guard, and marching band programs. This conversation originates on On A Water Break and is presented in collaboration with Guard Closet and the Design Closet. Nicole and Dalton are joined by Preston Copas, Annie Stegall, and Jordan Fontana for a practical conversation about writing smarter shows, designing for the performers in front of you, and building visual programs that are achievable, clear, musical, and effective. In this episodeDesigning for beginner color guard performers without making the show boringHow marching band guard writing reads from the standsWhy simple choreography can still create effectBuilding a Plan B before rehearsal pressure hitsWhat judges may mean when they ask for “more variety”How to avoid split focus in color guard and marching band stagingWriting for mixed skill levelsFinishing phrases and strengthening transitionsAvoiding midseason “science fair project” rewritesTeaching performance without just saying “smile”Quick fixes for common design problemsFeaturingNicole Younger — Guard Closet / Design Closet — Instagram: @o2bnpjsDalton Stout — Instagram: @saltydaltiPreston Copas — University at Albany Winterguard — Instagram: @ualbanyguard / @heylookitsprestonAnnie Stegall — Corbin High School / University of the Cumberlands — Instagram/TikTok: @corbin.colorguard / Instagram: @whatthefawkbroJordan Fontana — Lecanto Emeralds — Instagram: @lecanto.emeraldsLinksLearn more about Guard Closet’s Design ClosetVisit Guard ClosetFollow On A Water BreakFollow Guard Closet on InstagramFollow On A Water Break on InstagramOn A Water Break WebsiteFind On A Water Break: Website: onawaterbreak.com | Listen Everywhere: linktr.ee/onawaterbreak | Be a Guest: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com #ColorGuard #WinterGuard #MarchingBand #DesignAnalysis #MarchingArts

    Color Guard & Marching Band Design Analysis | Pro Tip Besties with Nicole Younger + Dalton Stout
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.