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. Why “Believability” Is Winning WGI 2026 + Full Results Recap | Color Guard, Percussion & Winds | OAWB S4EP16

    11H AGO

    Why “Believability” Is Winning WGI 2026 + Full Results Recap | Color Guard, Percussion & Winds | OAWB S4EP16

    Why “Believability” Is Winning WGI 2026 + Full Results Recap Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. WGI 2026 is officially in the books, and one theme stood out across color guard, percussion, and winds: believability. This week, the On A Water Break panel breaks down championship results, performance quality, judging conversations, and what instructors need to rethink heading into next season. Joey Montes is joined by Jeremy Denzer, Haley Harrington, and guest Aaron Ferris for a full weekly episode covering WGI results, DCI Hall of Fame news, and a 60 Second Tech Block on what “performing” really means. Panel:Joey Montes — @marchingbymontesJeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzerHaley Harrington — @h_harrington14Aaron Ferris — @phunky.af Timestamps:00:00 – Intro + Panel Welcom02:45 – 32 Count Life Story: Aaron Ferris08:04 – News: Buc-ee’s Ohio Store Chaos at WGI10:05 – DCI Hall of Fame 2026 Announced11:29 – WGI 2026 Color Guard Results Breakdown14:34 – WGI 2026 Percussion Results Breakdown23:12 – WGI 2026 Winds Results Breakdown28:02 – 60 Second Tech Block: What Is Performance Quality?33:23 – Water We Doing: Judging + Social Media Rants47:50 – Gush & Go54:35 – Closing Thoughts + Where to Follow In This Episode: WGI 2026 Color Guard, Percussion, and Winds resultsWhy believability is separating top groupsDCI Hall of Fame Class of 2026Judging, social media, and educator responsibility60 Second Tech Block: Performance QualityLinks:WGI Scores Hub: https://www.wgi.org/scores/WGI Color Guard Scores: https://www.wgi.org/scores/color-guard-scores/WGI Winds Scores: https://www.wgi.org/scores/winds-scores/DCI Hall of Fame 2026: https://www.dci.org/news/five-to-be-inducted-into-dci-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026/Listen Everywhere: https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=pageOAWB Website: https://www.onawaterbreak.comAll Links: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak Sponsor:Guard Closet — https://www.guardcloset.comInstagram: @guardcloset Follow On A Water Break:Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @onawaterbreak #OnAWaterBreak #WGI2026 #ColorGuard #IndoorPercussion #Winds #MarchingArts

    58 min
  2. How Open March Is Changing Marching Band Drill Design Forever | Digital Drill Writing, Band Tech & Marching Arts Innovation | OAWB With

    1D AGO ·  BONUS

    How Open March Is Changing Marching Band Drill Design Forever | Digital Drill Writing, Band Tech & Marching Arts Innovation | OAWB With

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Marching band drill design is evolving—and OpenMarch is helping lead that change. In this episode of On A Water Break, we sit down with Alex Dumouchelle, Founder & Lead Developer of OpenMarch, and Aleksi Saario, OpenMarch’s Marketing Manager, to talk about how their free, open-source drill writing platform is changing access, collaboration, and creativity in the marching arts. This conversation digs into where OpenMarch started, why open-source matters, how real programs are already using it, and what the future of drill design could look like when more designers actually have access to the tools. In this episode: How OpenMarch got started Why open-source matters in the marching arts How the platform lowers barriers for designers and educators Real-world use in marching arts programs What’s next for OpenMarchFeatured Guests:Alex Dumouchelle — Founder & Lead Developer, OpenMarchAleksi Saario — Marketing Manager, OpenMarch Find OpenMarch:Website: https://openmarch.comTeam / About: https://openmarch.com/about/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openmarchappYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtDQuvHRnj-GQ_GrNbpNYhQ Hosts:Joey Montes — https://www.instagram.com/marchingbymontesRicardo Robinson-Shinall — https://www.instagram.com/ricardorrobinson Follow On A Water Break:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onawaterbreakFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/onawaterbreakTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onawaterbreak Listen Everywhere:https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=page Watch More OAWB:Weekly Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT4vhEIgopl8XDO-pU3YOR77OAWB With: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT5c48Q_cvR1ATvbaQ1QGcN4 Sponsor:Guard Closet: https://www.guardcloset.com Got a question or want to be on the show?Email: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com

    55 min
  3. DCI 2026 Ticket Issues, Band Directors Entering Politics & Summer Marching Camp Trends | Marching Band, Drum Corps & WGI News | OAWB S4EP15

    APR 17

    DCI 2026 Ticket Issues, Band Directors Entering Politics & Summer Marching Camp Trends | Marching Band, Drum Corps & WGI News | OAWB S4EP15

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. DCI 2026 tour tickets are live, a Minnesota band director is stepping into politics, and summer marching camps are already making noise. This week on On A Water Break, Ashlee Amos, Bobbey Biddle, Bill “Woody” Woodward, and Haley Harrington break down four timely stories from across the activity, then jump into a 60 Second Tech Block that turns into a very real conversation about last-minute packing, freezing bus rides, and surviving tour prep. The panel also unloads in Water We Doing?! with hot takes on winter activities running into May, spring concerts happening way too early, not drinking enough water, and the pressure of cleaning championship performances. Gush and Go closes things out with love for WGI teams, travel wins, live event coverage, and local programs building momentum. Panel:Ashlee Amos — @famousamossss_Bobbey Biddle — @bobbeyboy107Bill “Woody” Woodward — @remoking100Haley Harrington — @h_harrington14 In this episode: Band director Christoph Dundas runs for public office DCI 2026 tour tickets go on sale BOA Summer Camp and Director Academy discussion USBands summer clinics conversation 60 Second Tech Block: packing for tour and cold bus rides Water We Doing?! Gush and GoListen everywhere:https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreakhttps://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=page Watch more:Weekly Episodes PlaylistBonus Episodes Playlist Referenced in this episode, coming soon:WGI 2026 Color Guard RecapWGI 2026 Percussion Finals Preview Sponsored by Guard Closet:https://www.guardcloset.comSell with Guard ClosetDesign with Guard Closet

    1h 3m
  4. Why Color Guard Performers Panic + Recovery Training Tips, FJM Legacy & Marching Band News | WGI, DCI, Drum Corps & Instructor Insights | OAWB S4EP14

    APR 10

    Why Color Guard Performers Panic + Recovery Training Tips, FJM Legacy & Marching Band News | WGI, DCI, Drum Corps & Instructor Insights | OAWB S4EP14

    Why do color guard performers panic in performance—and how should we actually be training recoveries? Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. This week on On A Water Break, Alicia, Dalton, Grantis, and Jeremy break down major marching arts news while tackling one of the most overlooked performance skills: recovery training. In this episode: A marching band trailer theft in Orlando and what programs can learn from itThe legacy of Marlene Miller, co-founder of FJM, and her impact on the activityHawthorne Caballeros celebrating 80 years of drum corps historyWGI + BOA Instructor Academy expansion and what it means for instructors60 Second Tech Block:Recovery training — why performers panic, how to fix it, and why recovery skills matter in real performance. Water We Doing?! Performers losing confidence in front of audiencesThe lack of high-energy “banger” shows this seasonDrum corps still hiring staff late into springPerforming with hair in your faceGush & Go: Program growth and championship successPerformer development and confidence winsLooking ahead to the summer seasonListen everywhere:https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=page Watch full episodes:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT4vhEIgopl8XDO-pU3YOR77 Follow us:Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @onawaterbreak Presented by Guard Closet:https://www.guardcloset.com CHAPTERS 00:00 – Cold Open & Introductions03:16 – News: Trailer Theft in Orlando05:18 – News: Hawthorne Caballeros 80th Anniversary06:33 – News: Marlene Miller & FJM Legacy08:27 – News: WGI Instructor Academy10:59 – 60 Second Tech Block: Recovery Training16:34 – Water We Doing?!25:03 – Gush & Go30:16 – Closing

    32 min
  5. WGI 2026 Color Guard Talk: Paramount, Fusion, Fantasia, Vox, Avon & The Woodlands

    APR 4

    WGI 2026 Color Guard Talk: Paramount, Fusion, Fantasia, Vox, Avon & The Woodlands

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. This week on On A Water Break, Trish O’Shea is joined by Whitney Stone, Justin, and first-time guest Sha’Tara Robinson for a live WGI 2026 conversation packed with late-season energy, controversy, and real talk. The panel digs into the biggest story still hanging over the activity — the Paramount situation and Independent Open waitlist fallout — before shifting into who has real momentum right now in Independent World and Scholastic World. Fusion gets major love, Vox Artium gets praised for a bold design turn, and the crew talks through Fantasia, AMP, Juxtaposition, Arcadia, Avon, The Woodlands, Center Grove, and more. Later in the episode, Justin delivers a timely 60 Second Tech Block on the mental side of preparing for WGI week, and Water We Doing?! turns into one of the strongest segments of the episode with rants on petal tosses at the tarp edge, low volume at contests, costume shipping chaos, rewriting shows at the last minute, and valuing flash over technique. In this episode: Paramount fallout and waitlist frustrationFusion, Fantasia, Vox Artium, AMP, and Independent World buzzArcadia, Avon, The Woodlands, and the Scholastic World raceScores vs momentum heading into Dayton60 Second Tech Block: preparing mentally for WGI weekWater We Doing?! late-season chaos, design choices, and logisticsGush and Go wins from teams and staff heading into championshipsPanelTrish O’Shea — @trishdish1102Whitney Stone — @dancerwhitJustin — @justin.vs.guardSha’Tara Robinson — TikTok @yourfavoriteplantauntie Referenced linksWGI Color Guard World Championships:https://www.wgi.org/color-guard/world-championships-cg/ WGI Championships Schedule:https://www.wgi.org/color-guard/world-championships-cg/world-championships-schedules-cg/ Independent World Standings:https://www.wgi.org/color-guard/independent-world-group-standings/ Scholastic World Standings:https://www.wgi.org/color-guard/scholastic-world-group-standings/ Related OAWB episodesParamount WGI Promotion Controversy & Independent Open Waitlist Breakdown:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paramount-wgi-promotion-controversy-independent-open/id1653637341?i=1000756670385 2026 WGI World Class Performers: Juxtaposition, Alta Marea & AMP:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2026-wgi-world-class-performers-juxtaposition-alta/id1653637341?i=1000747924736 WGI Housing Policy + AI Show Design Debate:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wgi-housing-policy-ai-show-design-debate-water-break-weekly/id1653637341?i=1000746369564 Find On A Water BreakListen everywhere: https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=pageYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnAWaterBreakWebsite: https://www.onawaterbreak.comWeekly Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT4vhEIgopl8XDO-pU3YOR77Bonus Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT5c48Q_cvR1ATvbaQ1QGcN4More OAWB / Be a Guest: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak SponsorsGuard Closet — https://www.guardcloset.com/

    1h 4m
  6. Remembering Gil Silva | DCA Legacy, DCI All-Age Impact & Drum Corps Leadership

    MAR 30 ·  BONUS

    Remembering Gil Silva | DCA Legacy, DCI All-Age Impact & Drum Corps Leadership

    Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. In this special On A Water Break Quick Sip, Trish O’Shea is joined by Jeff Ream to remember Gil Silva and the impact he had on Drum Corps Associates and the all-age drum corps activity. Together, they reflect on Gil’s calm leadership, his humor, his years guiding DCA through change, and the way he helped create space for growth across the activity. From memorable rainy championship moments to larger conversations about DCA, Class A, and the future of all-age corps, this episode is a tribute to someone who left a lasting mark on drum corps. In this episode:- Remembering Gil Silva’s leadership and presence in DCA- Personal memories from Trish O’Shea and Jeff Ream- Reflections on Class A growth and the expansion of the all-age activity- Thoughts on Gil’s role in the changing relationship between DCA and DCI- A closing tribute and condolences to Gil’s family Panel:Trish O’SheaJeff Ream - @reamjeff Listen everywhere:https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=page Watch On A Water Break on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@OnAWaterBreak More OAWB:https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak 00:00 Quick Sip: Intro 00:20 Quick Sip: Jeff Ream Joins the Conversation 00:39 Quick Sip: Gil Silva’s DCA Leadership 02:43 Quick Sip: Rain Delay Memories and Gil Under Pressure 05:08 Quick Sip: Humor, Patience and Personality 06:19 Quick Sip: Growing DCA and Expanding Class A 09:07 Quick Sip: Gil Silva and the Future of DCI All-Age 10:33 Quick Sip: Final Tribute to Gil Silva 11:12 Quick Sip: Closing and Subscribe Call

    12 min
4.5
out of 5
22 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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