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Marching Arts News: Water Break Weekly Returns — DCI 2026 Outlook, WGI 2026 Updates & Rose Parade Rain
229 Plays1 month ago
Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Water Break Weekly is back for Season 4 — and we’re kicking off 2026 with major DCI headlines, WGI updates, and a parade performance story that proves marching artists are built different. Christopher Rutt is joined by Bobbey Biddle, Dalton Stout, Grantis Peranda, and Amari Lewis to talk Boston Crusaders’ historic championship run, what’s coming next in 2026, WGI’s continued focus on training and safety, and the rain-soaked Rose Parade performances that had everyone grinding through seven miles with zero resets.
Segments:
• News Block: DCI recap + what 2026 could bring, WGI’s 2025 season recap and 2026 updates, Rose Parade 2026 rain performance stories, Philly Mummers Parade weather impact, and Harriman High School’s field show inspired by Vincent Lima — with the artist showing up in person.
• 60-Second Tech Block: Dalton Stout on Effective Conditioning — what it should actually do, and why “just doing something” isn’t the same as training for performance.
• Water We Doing?! Rehearsal schedules that don’t exist, repeating the same show ideas, the lack of med staff support at rehearsals, and costuming choices that don’t account for real bodies.
• Gush & Go: Shoutouts from judging and choreography life to WGI/DCI weekends, plus love for every Rose Parade performer who pushed through the weather.
Panelists:
Christopher Rutt (@wildhornbrass1) • Bobbey Biddle (@bobbey107) • Dalton Stout (@SaltyDalti) • Grantis Peranda (@grantisimo_p) • Amari Lewis (@_amari.lewis_)
Sponsors:
• Guard Closet (@guardcloset) – Gear, consignments, and more at guardcloset.com
Find On A Water Break:
Website: onawaterbreakpodcast.com
Linktree: linktr.ee/onawaterbreakpodcast
Guest/Segment Submission: bit.ly/OAWBGuestForm
Email: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com
Hashtags:
#OnAWaterBreak #MarchingArts #DrumCorps #ColorGuard #MarchingBand #WGI2026 #DCI2026 #BandLife #GuardCloset
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Transcript
Season 4 Kickoff and Introductions
00:00:01
Speaker
Hello everyone and welcome to the first podcast of season 4 and 2026, On a Water Break. the podcast where we talk about everything you and your friends are already talking about at rehearsal on a water break.
00:00:15
Speaker
I'm Christopher Rutt and I'm joined today by Bobby Biddle, Dalton Stout, Grantis Paranda, and Amari Lewis. We're excited to jump into what's happening across the Marching Arts this week, but if you're new here, make sure to subscribe and follow the show.
00:00:31
Speaker
And if you've got a hot take, on a story that you want to share send it through the link in our bio and you may just hear it featured on a future episode
00:00:44
Speaker
adolph the met and go welcome to on a water break the podcast where we talk everything marching arts everyone it's time for a water break All right.
Panel Reflections on 2025 and 2026
00:01:02
Speaker
Well, let's meet our panel real quick for this week. Today, we are joined by Bobby Biddle. Hi, everybody. Welcome to a brand new year. Happy New Year. Hope everyone's recovered from the holidays and ready to get things started in the 2026.
00:01:20
Speaker
Indeed. We also have the Dalton Stout with us today. What's up, everyone? I'm coming to you from Denver, Colorado. I just spent a week in Las Vegas turning 30 and celebrating the new year, and I'm excited to be opening season four with all of you.
00:01:35
Speaker
We also have Grant's Paranda. Hi there. i'm all the way from now sunny San Francisco, California. And I also just went to Vegas last week for New Year's. It was fun. I was, course, with a bunch of marching band, colored art friends and happy to bring in the new year.
00:01:53
Speaker
And let's not forget our fabulous producer, Amari Lewis. oh What's up, guys? Happy New Year. And I'm Christopher Rutt, and we are coming to you from very cold and raw King George, Virginia.
00:02:10
Speaker
Still getting used to this East Coast weather thing after being out in the West Coast for so long, but happy to be here. Proud to serve. So let's so let's get into it. um just a preview ah some bonus content preview coming up here uh go watch season three finale uh final wrap up uh the favorite moments of what we learned and find out what's going to be changing for season four on a water break uh let's get into the news i want to think a clean table
00:02:53
Speaker
But it is amazing that we're already in the 2026 and we already have so much we can talk about, about everything that's been going on.
Historic Boston Crusaders Win
00:03:00
Speaker
So, um Grant, do you want to get us ah get us started here with some news?
00:03:06
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. So if we think back a little bit, there's top 10 DCI headlines, but there are some really big things we have to remember that happened in 2025.
00:03:17
Speaker
And of course, the biggest was the Boston Crusaders. them winning their first ever DCI World Championship. We are so happy for them.
00:03:27
Speaker
They are one of the oldest drum corps in the activity and they finally got to take gold. And it wasn't just a finals night surprise. Boston was putting up massive numbers all summer long, including a record setting performance in San Antonio.
00:03:43
Speaker
And their back and forth with the blue coats made Pauline scores feel like a nightly ritual. Then came the semifinal shakeup, the kind of moment that makes you double check the recaps, refresh the page and text all your drum corps group chats immediately.
00:04:00
Speaker
on the fan experience side, the return of the big, loud and live was a huge win.
Spartan's World Class Move
00:04:06
Speaker
and There's something special about watching drum corps at the movie theater, the volume surrounded by people who get it, who clap after warmups and whisper.
00:04:15
Speaker
Wow, that color guard is good. We also got some future looking news. um The Spartans announcing their move to world class in 2026. This is a big deal, not just for them, but for the depth and energy of the activity moving forward.
00:04:33
Speaker
So oh when you zoom out, 2025 had history, drama, nostalgia, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Which leads to the big question, how does 2026 follow that?
00:04:48
Speaker
And how does 2026 follow 2025? It was pretty crazy. I got to admit, I announced my first DCI i show in California last summer and Boston was out there and It was such a magical thing to see them live early-ish season.
00:05:08
Speaker
But what do you guys think? What what what what are your what are your hot takes for 2026? How is 2026 going to be better than 2025? I think
00:05:17
Speaker
that i think those those shows are about to go even more crazy than they were last season. For sure. For sure. And Mandarins isn't in the top 12 anymore.
00:05:28
Speaker
So Troopers... troopers might bump up cavies might bump up you never know
00:05:37
Speaker
i know that boston definitely from a color guard standpoint really kind of raised the level of like crazy insane things um and i really commend them because i guess i'm at that point where i'm like i i i wouldn't want to try that there's some crazy responsibilities and im like i'm i'm just like wow um so i think from a color guard standpoint will we see i i don't know higher level risky stuff or is that gonna kind of be downplayed um i'm excited though nevertheless it sort of reminds me of the conversation when figure skating started to demand more
00:06:17
Speaker
quadruple jumps and now the men are trying five turn jumps and now we're also that's also revolving around a conversation about safety and you know so it will be interesting to see how they balance not just from color guard but from all sections of a drum corps i don't know how they could go further than they are but i have no doubt that these innovators will find a way Well, and WGI is kind of starting to lead the train with performer safety and like really taking care of defining, you know, this, you can't be this far off the ground, your lifts have to be this sort of way to, to put performer safety at the forefront. So I'm excited to see how DCI interprets that.
00:06:56
Speaker
Yeah, i was it was interesting when i worked for SCPA, the Southern California Percussion Alliance, and they aligned themselves a lot with ah WGI's ah safety rules. And the whole, like, you can can only be so high off the ground on a prop or you have to be tethered in. I really found that to be, it was a challenge for a lot of these ensembles to figure out how to navigate that and make that seamless. But at the end of the day, when you start to see the the the performers taking care of their bodies and taking care of them on the prop, it really kind of helped elevate the program a little bit more. so because you got to really instead of worrying, oh, my God, is that kid going to fall off that eight foot prop is, oh, my God, look at that kid been doing that crazy stuff. And I know that they are safe.
00:07:46
Speaker
And I hope that DCI will do the same thing to really help protect these performers while still allowing them to do the crazy things that they do these days.
WGI Developments for 2025 and Beyond
00:07:56
Speaker
ah So let's move on to Bobby. Bobby, you've got a recap of WGI.
00:08:02
Speaker
So talking about WGI and all the great things that happened there, WGI put out a ah sort of a recap of their 2025 season. So WGI's 2025 season was full of exciting developments and growth in the indoor marching arts community.
00:08:19
Speaker
Highlights included the launch of WGI Studio with new participation protection courses, the introduction of Regional Plus events for 2026, and the announcement of a May 2026 event in Costa Rica. Pretty exciting.
00:08:34
Speaker
The organization also hosted a circuit symposium with active shooter response training, reinforcing its commitment to safety safety and education. so um It sounds like WGI as well had a really productive 2025. was there that entire weekend for Color Guard, at least. I was not there for percussion and winds, but ah a ah hyped up, exciting electric experience as always.
00:09:03
Speaker
Yeah, it was so great to to see so many of the new champions and to see the so many of these programs just elevating and and doing more and more and more. But also a lot of storytelling from Color Guard and Percussion and Wins, like all all across the spectrum.
00:09:21
Speaker
Like seeing Avon High School, their wind program, do that incredible do the incredible show, taking pieces that don't necessarily would go together, but really turning it into a phenomenal program. I really enjoy the storytelling aspect of what what we're all doing. And even the more, ah what do we say? Yeah.
00:09:43
Speaker
avant-garde programs that really kind of have to make you think when you if you don't understand the show you can at least appreciate the ah artistry and perfection that these that these performers are doing and kudos to the designers for really kind of to maximizing that that ah basketball court so yeah i'm i'm excited for 2026 i think it's gonna be a whole lot of fun um So ah next story is talking about the Rose Parade.
Rose Parade Challenges
00:10:13
Speaker
I'm sure we all watch the Rose Parade. And when I turned on the TV um half an hour before and they're doing all the hoop the pregame hoopla stuff.
00:10:22
Speaker
And it was pouring rain. i was, ah i was i felt so bad for all those performers, but let's let's talk a little bit about what what that was. So one of my favorite reminders of why the marching arts matters comes from every New Year's Day when we watch the Tournament of Roses parade.
00:10:41
Speaker
The Pasadena Star News shared highlights from the 2026 parade, and this year felt especially especially meaningful because it asked even more of the performers than usual.
00:10:52
Speaker
For the first time in nearly 20 years, rain fell on the parade route in Pasadena. And if you have ever marched in a parade, you know that everything changes. ah Slick streets, heavy uniforms and flags, wet gloves and socks, cold fingers, and absolutely nowhere to stop for seven miles.
00:11:11
Speaker
This year's lineup was incredibly diverse. Bands from across the country and across the world, including local groups like Arcadia High School, performing in their unprecedented 19th Rose Parade. Powerhouse programs like Brownsburg High School from Indiana, which traveled thousands of miles. And international ensembles like the Minojiyo Gaku, sorry if i'm butchering that. The Green Band from Osaka, Japan, bringing their own sound and style to Colorado Boulevard.
00:11:41
Speaker
Marching alongside them was the Band Directors Marching Band. and This is a group that are educators stepping out from the sideline and back into formation. And what made that moment even more special is that several of those directors had their own children marching in other bands in the parade. Same street, same weather, same challenges.
00:12:01
Speaker
Just different uniforms. And the rain didn't stop anything. These performers kept moving, kept playing, kept smiling. No no resets, no second takes, no shortcuts. Just trust the in the preparation and the people next to you.
00:12:16
Speaker
Honestly, I thought that what they had to go through... was tough but i think that they all did a fantastic job my my favorite though was the green band and they had the bassoons wrapped in in the the plastic bags i my my wife is a bassoon player and the first thing she said was heck yeah bassoons on tv so she was super excited i thought that was awesome what'd you guys think I thought it was super commendable. I was in the Rose Parade in 2017 with the Vanguard, like, and we did the whole production and it was cold and it was spocky, but nowhere near as rainy as what happened this New Year's. And I really want to commend my band director from Santa Cruz High School.
00:13:02
Speaker
It's historically had been a small band, one of the best parade bands in California. literally one of the top bands here but we'll never be able to go to rose parade because just the school's not very big was not many students in the band so i'm very happy for her that she was able to go and play in it because that's been a dream of first excellent that's so great any other thoughts about rose parade what do you guys what do you guys think I think my my little heart just broke when i so I turned it on. I was like, oh, no.
00:13:35
Speaker
I mean, you think of the countless hours and the money and the investment. And, you know, I remember Westchester University from this part of of where I am in the Philadelphia area. They always put on a huge production and they were in the Rose Bowl parade last year and had live roses on their costumes. And I'm just...
00:13:52
Speaker
you know But you sign up to do an outdoor event, you know that anything could happen. And like all of you have been saying, they all of them were real good sports and good troopers about it, for sure.
00:14:05
Speaker
Indeed. Now, this is kind of ah along the same same lines. And do we have any ah news about the Mummers Parade? Because that also happens on on January 1st or around that time. So we have any.
00:14:19
Speaker
Yeah, what we know is that um they the Mummers Parade is, for those listening and hearing about this for the first time, it's a Philadelphia-specific It's like 130 or 140 years old.
00:14:34
Speaker
um It's a the it's all these local clubs um and they music based clubs. They're sort of like VFW meets your local sort of little drum corps kind of thing. And um so they get all dressed up and they put they put countless time and hour. They put a whole year into this one production.
00:14:57
Speaker
And um here in Philadelphia on New Year's Day, there were wind gusts up to 50 miles an hour. um And they use props. They use eight foot tall props. And they have these big back pieces that are on the back of their costumes. So they decided that it was too much of a risk to perform their production.
00:15:13
Speaker
What they did do is they did march down our main thoroughfare, which is called Broad Street in Philadelphia. So they did march down Broad Street. um And they said they were rescheduling the production, the adjudicated production part, the though I don't think that we've seen a date yet. So I think they're probably just trying to get their head around the best date. We have a lot going on in Philadelphia of the next several months leading up to America's 250th in July. we have the World Cup being hosted here. We're one of the cities. hosted So there is a lot. I know the city's resources are stretched pretty thin over the next several months. So, but I have no doubt that they'll get that date set and we'll be happy to announce it once we know on the, on the podcast.
00:15:53
Speaker
Awesome. Well, I hope that we can, we'll, we'll promote that. And I hope that they can actually do there their, their, their performances. Cause. I always catch it like on YouTube afterwards and I'm always amazed by the pageantry. You want to talk about pageantry? The mummers, they they got it and they especially have the costumes. What they're able to do is phenomenal.
00:16:16
Speaker
Dalton, what you got for us? Over Harriman High School in Harriman, Utah, my side of the country out here on the West, the marching band spent more than 250 hours building a field show around songs by an indie artist named Vincent Lima, whose music blends like heartfelt indie folk and indie rock with some deeply personal lyrics about love, loss and life's big moments.
00:16:38
Speaker
on So a pretty impactful show, it sounds like.
Vincent Lima's Surprise Visit
00:16:41
Speaker
And here's the best part of all of this. The band's inspiration actually showed up in person. Vincent Lima, surprised the students at a rehearsal once, s walked in and saw the show that they like ate about him from him and by him.
00:16:54
Speaker
That's super cool. So imagine putting like all this work into a show and then like, surprise, the artist is right there in front of you. I think that's, it's a way to... like really get kids to dig in and tie in and like experience firsthand the art that they're, ah that they're creating. So a huge shout out to Vincent for coming through and to the Harriman band students and staff. This kind of connection is really what makes the marching arts feel alive, right? Like we're part of the, the pop culture and we're being experienced.
00:17:22
Speaker
Incredible. that That's so cool. That reminds me of Sun Lux when they would they were we worked with the Bluecoats on their programs or and with or Pulse Percussion and and other ensembles like that.
00:17:36
Speaker
um do you guys have any other do you any other stories of... professional musicians, performers that have worked with schools or other ensembles to collaborate together? Well, 10 years ago, oh, sorry, I was going to say contemporary color we did 2015,
00:17:58
Speaker
With a lot of Nelly Furtado. Oh, gosh, guys, help me out. David, um ah lead singer of the big band, David Byrne.
00:18:08
Speaker
um So some other really big artists. There were about 10 WGI color guards, a mix of independent and high school groups, mostly from the Northeast, a couple from Canada. And they did a um concert in Toronto and a concert in Atlanta.
00:18:22
Speaker
Brooklyn. So that comes to mind. And that was really cool. I was associated with the Black Watch and they were one of the teams chosen to participate. And that was really, really interesting and really amazing.
00:18:33
Speaker
Amazing. That's that's so cool. So that was our news, guys. I hope that you guys found something interesting in there. And so next. Next, we have a ah a note from our sponsor.
00:19:01
Speaker
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Speaker
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Speaker
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00:19:54
Speaker
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00:20:07
Speaker
Check us out at guardcloset.com or follow us on social media.
00:20:25
Speaker
All right, we're back. Okay, everyone, it's time for the 60 Second Tech Block. 60 Second Tech Block.
00:20:39
Speaker
This is the segment where one of our hosts, our guest clinicians, is put on the spot to deliver a nonstop 60 Second Tech session on a topic that needs some serious attention after that last run.
00:20:51
Speaker
Our special tech this week has come prepared with three topics that they can talk about for a full 60 seconds straight. No hesitations, no pauses, just pure technical gold.
00:21:03
Speaker
Our tech presenter today is the Juan and Ole Dalton Stout. And Dalton, what do you got for us? All right, so your three options are I can talk about effective conditioning,
00:21:18
Speaker
technique versus choreography or we can dig into some rehearsal etiquette and expectations what do y'all think uh what do you think graduates i think he whatever you think we need the most
00:21:34
Speaker
make me pick
00:21:37
Speaker
okay i'll talk about effective conditioning all right okay are you ready i am ready 60 seconds on the clock and go.
00:21:49
Speaker
All right, so conditioning is literally getting your kids ready to perform the product that you're making them do in front of people, right? Your conditioning needs to be set up in a way that it's going to support and elevate your program. Far too many times I walk into a rehearsal and I watch the instructor hit play on a Zumba and these kids will do do two, three Zumbas in a row and call that conditioning.
00:22:13
Speaker
At the end of it, these kids aren't sweating. They haven't brought attention to any specific muscle groups. They haven't worked on going full out or power. They're just doing it to do it. And I don't see growth, right? If you do that over time, you're going to build these really bad habits of kind of doing things halfway and just getting through the motions to get ready and warm for rehearsal.
00:22:31
Speaker
Instead, I want you to think about things that your kids are not great at. Maybe my kids are getting really tired really fast. So now this week, my conditioning is going to focus on ah stamina and cardiovascular awareness and and building that strength maybe I noticed that my kids are here at a time i have so much more to say so follow me on social media maybe I'll talk about conditioning a whole lot more hey that was great that's such a such an important topic
00:23:03
Speaker
say san and tank blank It's such an important topic that that needs to be discussed and needs to be educated to everyone, not just like the ones that have figured it out, but even for the ones that have figured it out, just to be reminded of what we're trying to do to prepare the performers, to prepare these students, especially for the young ones that have barely any idea of what's going on, to be successful and to stay healthy.
Rehearsal Conditioning Insights
00:23:28
Speaker
We don't want them to get hurt doing what they're doing. That's first and foremost.
00:23:33
Speaker
And to piggyback on that, it's you're right. There's a difference difference between the warm up and actually getting your kids prepared. You their long show, you know, that they have to like be ready for it and get in the moment after they you know, their body should be able to write to jump into it.
00:23:49
Speaker
And we talk so much to in color, especially about your core. I'm like, how many people are actually conditioning their core? I don't know. That's not even know how to use it correctly.
00:24:01
Speaker
Exactly. Strengthen that core, not just in rehearsal, but everything to build up to that foundational strength. Yep. You know, and it was interesting. Ian Grom posted something on his social media just the other day ah showing Cheeto Hills ah in the lot, their percussion ensemble in the lot and the front ensemble doing a warmup. And his whole point was this.
00:24:25
Speaker
There was a ton of people around them. It was very chaotic and the the the crowd was was going nuts. But the point was that he prepares the they're the students to for these big moments to be in front of these thousands people to focus on what they're doing and to also enjoy what they're doing as well. But I think part of that that conditioning is also the mental conditioning as well. If you are if you're in WGI finals for the first time ever and you're you're walking down the tunnel
00:24:58
Speaker
You're walking down the ramp and you are freaking out and then you walk into the arena and there's all those people there. You have to be mentally prepared to to be able to handle that type of pressure situation. So it's it's yes, I understand. We have we have to understand where our core is.
00:25:13
Speaker
Certainly I need to work on that. But but also preparing our minds as well. I think that's super important. So great job. Thanks for the tech block. That that that that's wonderful stuff.
00:25:27
Speaker
So, but now, now, now it's time to switch things up. Everyone's cheering. So great. Now it's time switch things up. It's time for everyone's favorite segment.
00:25:42
Speaker
What are we doing? What are we doing?
00:25:52
Speaker
What are we doing? Alright, so this is the part of the show where we let loose a little bit or maybe a lot of it. This is your chance to rant about something in the marching arts that just doesn't make sense. So ah who who's going first?
00:26:09
Speaker
They'll jump in. um What are we doing not giving our performers a broken down rehearsal schedule? um I think it's so important to tell tell your performers what they're going to be working on and focus on for that rehearsal so they can come prepared and ready for that exactly. If you are putting on a 15-minute projection,
00:26:26
Speaker
a 15 minute production and you expect your kids to be ready to rehearse any 15 minutes of that, that's too much to be ready for, especially early season. So I think giving your performers a clear schedule of what you're going to be doing and what your expectations are is going to be a lot more efficient and effective in the long run. 100%.
00:26:47
Speaker
Yeah. You can't expect, you know, the kids to be prepared when you're not prepared. Ooh. Ooh. That one. Yeah. Mm-hmm. For me, what are we doing?
00:27:00
Speaker
What are we doing Doing shows that everyone has already done. Like, it's fine. It's fine that you want to redo something because you love the music so much, but you've got to take it in a completely different direction.
00:27:12
Speaker
There is so much music out there. Like, like just just stop doing the slow, melodic lines. Like, there's so look popular music. Like, please think about when you were in high school or in Wintergard or Drumline or whenever, and you're like, I really want to do something cool. And then you became an instructor and then didn't do anything cool.
00:27:33
Speaker
Like, there's you can do so much, please. I'm tired of seeing the same shows every year. Like the slow, sad, angry stuff. Like, do something poppy. Do something crazy.
00:27:45
Speaker
That's agreed. I think there's a thing of like decolonizing Color Guard in there that we could talk about, right? Getting rid of like what it's supposed to be. Let's break break some more boundaries, friends.
00:27:58
Speaker
Yeah. Exactly. I know that they in the drum corps world, there are there are many, many, many people that dislike the direction DCI is going because I can't understand the music.
00:28:11
Speaker
I don't understand what's going on. Look. I was also a little bit skeptical when on the first read of Bluecoach show. But then I watched it again and again and again and again again. And i by the third time watching, I absolutely loved it.
00:28:27
Speaker
Absolutely loved it. And you don't need to understand what the story is or there's no story or you don't and need to understand what the music is. It's just, it does it does it resonate with you? Do you enjoy it? And they're taking these risks and i i'm all i'm here I'm all here for it. So...
00:28:43
Speaker
I'm sorry. i wanted to chime in. I just I think there's validity in whatever choice you want to make. I just think if we can try to achieve what one of you said, which was to put your own slant on it, to make it your own and to just try to achieve, you know, in excellence as much as possible. I mean, we're not going to get rid of those sappy love songs. They're not going anywhere.
00:29:04
Speaker
um But, you know, I still like to watch something and be like, oh my God, I love that music. Oh, wow. They really took it in a really different color story than I would have expected or or whatever. So I think there's validity in everything, but yeah, let's aim for more variety and always aim for excellence.
00:29:21
Speaker
Yep. All right. Who's next? Who's got another? What are we doing? I've got one. What are we doing? Not having med staff at high school band rehearsals. Why do I have to run to go get the nurse that works a nine to five?
00:29:35
Speaker
Please. yeah I don't know where you teach where I'm from. There's no such thing. So the school has an athletic trainer. If we're at a football game and a band kid hurts the wrist, I can sneak over. Can you look at this kid's wrist? But they're really there for the football team. ah ah So I that would be great. Where is that at? And where can we all get it? Yeah.
00:30:00
Speaker
I was really lucky enough to work at a program here in California where the athletic trainer was for like the school. So whatever, when he was there, I could just send a kid because, you know, like, oh i you know, caught on my finger or like my my knee is kind of hurting and blah, blah, blah. So that was really good. But you're right. There should be a designated medical health person because we don't have all the answers.
00:30:24
Speaker
Unless we did and we were a nurse or, you know, we did took kinesiology. But even then, we can't even like, you know, prescriber like you know diagnose anything but we really do need to have that we're we're athletes whether you're a brass player maybe not so much the pit but you know drum line too like we go around the field we're very athletic we're hauling heavy equipment around that's right
00:30:48
Speaker
Also, sometimes have differing schedules, like where I'm from, all the sports teams, they all practice after school, but band is in the evening. So on that athletic trainer who is a great resource, like I said, at a game, or if we happen to be somewhere right after school, but ah we don't have that resource from the six to nine block in the evenings when we're in, you know?
00:31:09
Speaker
Yep. Yep. It's almost like we need to the we need to invest in our budgets ah the the to fill in, to have a dedicated medical person on staff.
00:31:24
Speaker
You know, that that's their job. They just go hang out at rehearsal and they get paid to do it. And just in case someone hurts themselves. I know i know that's that's hard to do in today's economic climate, but something to think about.
00:31:37
Speaker
I think that should come from higher up the chain, though. Maybe even like like state legislation should have like rules in place that if there's a school activity going on, that is an activity, even like a musical rehearsal. Somebody could get pretty severely injured.
00:31:51
Speaker
Like, what's your good response for that going to be? Because I don't think we can rely on individual health care at the moment. So what can we do to support our lower income communities? You know, call your answer to do that. And my school cheerleading practices when we do.
00:32:05
Speaker
And Lord knows they're doing way more than I see other athletes at my school doing. So, yeah, absolutely. Or if there's like a an early afternoon person and a late evening person or whatever. Yeah, that's that's an interesting idea.
00:32:19
Speaker
Yeah, very, very true. um So my what are we doing um is what are we doing?
00:32:28
Speaker
designing costumes, whether be for color guard band or drumline, that is not ah that is not taking into account the body shape of of of of the membership.
00:32:42
Speaker
That we are trying to we're trying to put all the all the kids, all the members into this one style of costume that ain't going to work for ah all the kids. Either that they are for whatever reason. Their body shape does not work Why are we just trying to do one design?
00:33:01
Speaker
I just think that if we could get a design that could work for multiple designs, if there's one for this type of kid or one that that for that type of kid, to make the kid, to make the member feel more empowered.
00:33:14
Speaker
Because i don't know, if I had to wear a very tight-fitting costume, even in my prime days, I would still feel self-conscious about wearing what I had to wear. But that that's my what are we doing. Thoughts?
00:33:30
Speaker
Yeah, we definitely talked about this on the podcast too, but it dev does need to be repeated because I definitely think it comes from that like, oh, Color Guard does this, we should keep on doing it.
00:33:41
Speaker
And there's always like a reason for it. i mean, we had more tight fitting uniforms so people could see when dance was more introduced so we can see the lines and stuff. But we have to remember it's a costume so we can be in whatever attire we want to be.
00:33:57
Speaker
And think again, when you were back in high school, or even now, would you want to wear that? People just digitally or widely available that people want us. I want to have this on a costume. It's a jumpsuit. Just put it on leotard and it doesn't look good.
00:34:12
Speaker
So you really have to think about the whole production. Like, does it make sense to the story? Does it look good on the kids? And if you didn't want to wear it, don't put it on them. Right.
00:34:23
Speaker
right It really boils down to like intent, right? What's your intent here? Why did you choose this costume? And is it portraying what you want it to? Is it storytelling the way that you want it to? If yes, great. If not, and you feel like we need to switch some things around, then do that.
00:34:38
Speaker
But again, if you're not intentional with what you're doing, you're going to have mishaps like this, where ah uniform busts on finals day, right before you walk on the floor. i That happened. And one of my color guys, I won't name them, but I'm sewing somebody into their ah costume because the zipper ripped.
00:34:53
Speaker
because it was too tight of a costume or what like whatever. It was cold outside and wet. Anything can happen. So I think that comes back to performer safety as well. pi well i I do work on the costume production side. I work for one of those companies.
00:35:09
Speaker
And so if we're talking about, um you know you know you know, the company will make whatever you want, ah typically, usually, right? um So it definitely, you know, it's it's a mix of what does the designer want?
00:35:26
Speaker
You know, they have to have a strong understanding and knowledge. You know, I think what we find is there are just a lot of young people that are just getting, finding their way in the activity. And like you said before, well, this is what my team always did, or this is something like what we always wore. And I will say though, you know, when you're one of those teams and you're like, well, I have 10 kids, but I want six styles. Yeah. Like, well, okay, are you ready to pay $1,000 in fees and all of that? But, um but yeah, just know that costume companies will work with you as a designer and they will ask that question if they're good at what they do, the, the, the company.
00:36:02
Speaker
Well, what about this size kid or that height of kid? Or also, I know i'm I'm so happy that we've gotten into the conversation about shoes and gloves and flush tone panels that matches students perform as the student skin tone. So at least we've broken through that obvious thing. And so, yeah, let's keep moving that conversation forward for sure.
00:36:27
Speaker
And if any, sorry, wants resources. That was part of my project for the future leaders program. You can Google um inclusive costuming resources, WGI, and we have a whole listing of that of stuff you can get to kind of to match your students' flesh tone. That is super important to anybody of color.
00:36:46
Speaker
that That's so great. and that's I know that this has been talked about on the podcast before, but it it is good to bring it up again. it needs to be it needs to be continually talked about. And it's also good to know that the costume companies will work with the with the schools.
00:37:01
Speaker
ah to with the ensembles to create the look that's going to help um make make all the members feel confident. I just think that when the thing that's going to happen is that you just have to be thinking ahead enough and give enough time so that the costume designers can produce what you want. You know, if you want six different styles of costume, well, that's going to take a while, right?
00:37:25
Speaker
Instead of just getting one off the rack. So that's cool. Very cool, guys. Thank you so much for that.
Panelists' Personal Highlights
00:37:32
Speaker
Great job, everyone. Set your equipment down. Gush and go.
00:37:37
Speaker
So now that we got that off our chests, let's get into our gush and goes. ah This is your chance to shout out something awesome happening in your life or the marching arts related or not. if There's no negativity here. Just pure unfiltered hype.
00:37:55
Speaker
Grants is here up. Yeah, for sure. I'm just loving my time in San cis Francisco. i just I just there's so much to do here. i I'm not teaching full time like I used to, but I'm choreographing. So if anybody needs some help consulting for their show, choreography or design, let me know. I'm still in the activity that way as well as judging.
00:38:17
Speaker
Excellent. Excellent. Bobby, what you got? Well, it's a busy time of the year. We're back from winter break, back in rehearsals. I teach a high school program. I'm the marching band director during the fall. I'm the color guard director during the winter.
00:38:34
Speaker
So that's going on. I'm the director of a Miss America local competition here in Philly. So we've got that coming up in a couple of weeks. and I work with Jeremy on all things Philly Pride related.
00:38:47
Speaker
So that is, ah you know, a several months project. So, you know, it was nice to enjoy the holidays kind of reset. And I'm kind of excited to get things rolling in the new year.
00:38:59
Speaker
Exciting. That's awesome. Dalton, what you got? Ooh, I want to give a big shout out to my queens in St. Clairsville, Ohio. um i They took me on like four years ago um as a young designer, and I've been with them since. And these kids are putting small town Ohio on the map.
00:39:16
Speaker
um They just got bronze in state last year, and we're like going to WGI in A class our first time this year. And they work so hard, and they're like just pat passion and commitment to excellence is really incredible. So I love them so much, and I miss them so much. I used to see them all the time, and now, of course, I'm in Denver, Colorado. So...
00:39:32
Speaker
Cheers to them. i love you guys. Nice. That's so cool. Uh, Amari, what you got? Yeah. this weekend's the DCI January summit. So I'm excited to see all my, all my drum major friends, uh, all the new caption heads, um, and choreographers that just recently, i mean, a lot of course got new staff.
00:39:52
Speaker
So I'm really excited for that. Really excited to get to talk to the, uh, DCI board, and continue to innovate in DCI and hopefully make some good new changes. Yes, please.
00:40:02
Speaker
That's awesome. I want to just give a quick shout out to all the Rose Parade performers, um you know, living in SoCal for 20 years, seeing my nieces perform in the Rose Parade and my wife was in the Rose Parade twice. So we have a lot of history with with that event. And just just kudos to you guys. Congratulations on persevering through that incredibly... Long, wet, hard day. i thought your performances were amazing.
00:40:31
Speaker
i really i love the the band director band. I thought you guys were great. The BOA band got really terrible coverage on TV, but they when you go back and watch them online, you guys sounded amazing. And a really great job to the the band directors that and the kids that were all they that they got to do the parade together. i thought that was amazing. And also a big shout out to both college bands, the Alabama and Indiana for making the smart choice for not marching their woodwinds in the parade to save their instruments for the game.
00:41:07
Speaker
I thought that was very cool. And the i I especially appreciated the clap clapping ah clapping choreography that the that the woodwinds did down the parade for seven miles.
00:41:19
Speaker
Pretty awesome stuff. uh lastly i'm in virginia now so uh and i'm doing i have ah a couple good ah judging gigs coming up but i still have a couple spots open so hey hit me up i'm able to judge color guard and drumline love to see you thanks hey it's called gush and go not gush and stay let's go
00:41:47
Speaker
right, so you got a question or good topic to talk about. Send us your what are we doings, gush and goes, and or news stories. You might even see yourself featured on a future episode. Check out the link of the bio to submit using our form.
00:42:05
Speaker
um So thanks thanks a lot, guys, for a great rehearsal this week. Thank you to everyone for spending some time with us. Do you guys have any last-minute shout-outs? You want to get out there before we head back to the field?
00:42:18
Speaker
I do. If you are looking for a last-minute color guard costume and you are... not sure what's going on, you're figuring it out, you're a new director in January, check out showdaydesigns.com. We have lots of great stuff in stock. So we are here to help you if you need it.
00:42:38
Speaker
If you're in need of any choreography or design, just guidance help. Check out DaltonVStout.com or my socials at SaltyDalty. um I'm happy to help. I got all the information for you. Anything you need.
00:42:50
Speaker
And of course, I'll just say my handle at Grantissimo underscore P. You can also find my YouTube channel for some how-to videos on there. um And don't forget it to drink water.
00:43:03
Speaker
All right. Thanks, guys. Appreciate that. One more thing. Don't forget that we have a YouTube channel. So go on on and subscribe and you can ah see all of our lovely faces there.
00:43:14
Speaker
um And before you close out your podcast listening app, go subscribe, write us review and share this with your friends. It's the best way for us to keep growing. what we're doing. We've been around for four. This is now the beginning of season four. I can't believe it. This is super exciting. And we're all so thankful that you guys are continuing to listen and continuing to be part of this. And we do have a lot of great stuff coming up for this, for season four. So, so follow us on social media at, at on a water break, and we'll see you at the next rehearsal on a water break.
00:43:50
Speaker
Bye guys.
00:43:55
Speaker
The On a Water Break podcast was produced by Jeremy Williams and Christine Rehm. The intro and outro music was produced by Josh Lida. To learn more, visit LidaMusic.com.
00:44:06
Speaker
And until next time, thanks for tuning