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BOA Grand Nats Week & PASIC: End-of-Season Reactions
254 Plays22 days ago
Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.
A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes.
It’s BOA Grand Nationals Week, PASIC is happening across the street, and the 2025 marching band season is officially coming to a close. Nicole hangs out with Taylor and Haley to talk favorite shows, end-of-season surprises, band-parent TikTok chaos, and the programs they can’t wait to watch in Indy — all pulled directly from this week’s conversation.
Highlights:
• Bandtober survival + Grand Nats weekend hype
• Boston, Bluecoats, Vanguard, Catawba Ridge, and Texas standouts
• Band parent & senior “sign-in / sign-out” TikTok trends
• Taylor’s PASIC breakdown (60-Second Tech Block)
• Water We Doing?! — AI props & “stop asking what time it is”
• Gush & Go — pies, parades, Cincinnati Tradition, and new seasons starting up
Sponsors:
Peak Group Travel — @peak.group.travel
Guard Closet — gear, design, education: https://guardcloset.com/
Find On A Water Break:
Website: https://onawaterbreakpodcast.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak
Be a Guest: link in bio
Email: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com
Social: @onawaterbreak
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Transcript
Introduction & Overview of Marching Arts Topics
00:00:00
Speaker
Hi everyone and welcome back to On a Water Break, the podcast where we talk about everything you and your friends are talking about at rehearsal on a water break. This week we give the marching arts some appreciation. We're to talk about the 2025 season a little bit, BOA, state finals, PASIC, basically just full excitement and everything that makes us keep coming back year after year.
00:00:23
Speaker
And we'll find out what made Taylor say. I will be honest, I'm also not super pumped about it, but I'm excited to walk the streets there. That sounds prongous. Why Haley said, it could be literally a minute until lunch block. but It's like, it's two hours to lunch.
End of Marching Band Season & Personal Reflections
00:00:38
Speaker
All that and more on this week's episode of On a Water Break. Head off the met and go. Welcome to On a Water Break.
00:00:49
Speaker
The where we talk everything marching arts.
00:00:55
Speaker
Everyone, bring it in. It's time for a water break. Hi, everyone. It's Nicole. We have such a fun episode this time. For the majority of us, marching band is over, and we have survived Bantober.
00:01:09
Speaker
And for other people who aren't us, they are on the road to Indy or already there competing at Grand Nats, and um they're at PASIC. I've been there, I've done that. And thank you everyone who are, who is there right now. Thank you for your service.
00:01:26
Speaker
Uh, this is the only time I able to watch marching band live on my couch in my PJs. And that's just, that's the best way to do it. Uh,
00:01:38
Speaker
ah But we will get back to all of that and talk about all of that. But I want to talk about some awesome things that we've seen this season as well. Before we get into all that, though, ah make sure that you go and subscribe on your favorite listening app.
00:01:52
Speaker
Write us a review. Tell your friend. ah If you have a question or a topic you want to talk about, email us at onawaterbreakpodcast at gmail.com. Or you can find us on social media and DM us if you want to be on the show. We have a form you can fill out.
00:02:07
Speaker
And we'll get in touch with you and then you'll be here with us and
Spotlight on Female Guests in Marching Arts
00:02:10
Speaker
chatting it up. So it'll be great. The link is in the bio. I'm excited because this episode is all ladies and we come from different backgrounds the marching arts activity.
00:02:24
Speaker
Like I'm a color guard person. ah One of our guests is horn line person. The other one of our guests is a percussion person. So yeah, I love this. We're going to sit around and talk and just gaggle.
00:02:36
Speaker
So let's see who's on the sidelines this week. taylor it's so good to see you there it's so good to see you nicole it's been great i think we did this pre dci season and now we get to do this post dci i season it's always a joy to get it to be on the podcast yay thanks so what's been going up with you is it derby season yet or is it not derby season you're in the off season in case anyone was wondering the roller derby season happens during the summer and springtime so check out your local roller derby club get some outside pageantry arts um
00:03:06
Speaker
hobbies. It's always a good thing.
Roller Derby Updates & Music Events
00:03:08
Speaker
But we're in the off-season right now. We're gearing up, moving in. I think the first team game is in March. So lots of practice. Sometimes I call it rehearsal, which always gets a good play. I'm not going to lie.
00:03:18
Speaker
i love that. We're going to rehearsal. And they're like, we're not. And I'm like, oh, okay, I'm sorry. can we just do more reps? Let's just keep going. I'm sorry. That's on me. But hanging out, going to concerts, seeing some friends, trying to skate better, you know, living in the Awesome.
00:03:36
Speaker
And then Haley, it's been a minute. How's Cincinnati tradition doing? Going. It's really well. we won all age open class and then we were...
00:03:48
Speaker
Super excited about that. We also hit box five highest score in history of the drum corps, and that was really amazing. And then they did the finals a little bit different this year. Instead of just having like the world class and open class, they actually combined everybody.
00:04:06
Speaker
So there was an all-age finals overall, and we were fifth overall and even beat a couple of world
Cincinnati Tradition & Marching Band Acronyms
00:04:12
Speaker
class corps. So that was really cool. and Yeah, so... Yeah, some big things on the horizon as we're, you know, just trying to gain some strength and numbers and everything like that. So, really excited about the future.
00:04:25
Speaker
Yeah. Wow. Well, maybe this winner will be Upstairs Judy's together. Yeah, I'm looking forward to that. but i done Crossing my fingers. There is one circuit that Haley and i will be together in Eastern. Let me make sure. There's so many acronyms in all of the circuits, and I have to remember what they stand for. But it's E-T-P-A-A, which is Eastern Tennessee performance Performing Arts Association.
00:04:54
Speaker
Yeah. So if they ever have trivia about acronyms for different circuits, I could do it. We should play a fun game of, is it a circuit or is it a medical concern?
00:05:08
Speaker
For real. ETPAA. Right. That problem. Band circuit. Unsure. Or yeah, dude, we should, that's a new segment. Write it down, Jeremy, write it down.
00:05:19
Speaker
Jeremy, write that down. I love it. All right, y'all. So I want to talk
Standout Performances & South Carolina Band Growth
00:05:26
Speaker
about some shows. and And, but I want to know like what shows you've seen and like your, why you thought it was cool.
00:05:35
Speaker
Cause you know, I mean, we watch this, like for me, there's a certain time when I watch a show and because I'm a judge, I'm analytical, but then there's sometimes when I'm watching a show because I love marching arts, I can just giggle and be like a spectator. So oh Taylor, what show have you seen? And tell me the whole part about it.
00:05:57
Speaker
Chad Powers on Hulu season one is thoroughly, I'm just kidding.
00:06:04
Speaker
I would say from drum court, I think we can just kind of talk about the hot topic in the room. Taylor, myself, I'm on June 3rd, July 3rd, when Oxnard, California, we had the exhibition show.
00:06:16
Speaker
I saw Boston Crusaders and I said, they're going to win. And everyone I know, all of my friends were like, i don't think that's true. And I was like, I'm telling you, they're going to win. This is it. So I was really excited to see Boston win from a DCI perspective. But I've got to hype up some of my my friends who are at the Blue Coats for sure. I think that shows incredible.
00:06:34
Speaker
So I really think that there was this world of like kind of an old school vibe of drum corps that's innovative and new, but then also that very much so... Broadway show, full production, full experience at the Blue Coast game.
00:06:48
Speaker
And personally, if I was a judge, I would have had a very, very tough time on deciding who was first and second. I probably just would have double gold it, you know, like they did way back in the day, just because I think both are incredible. But I would say out of all the shows I saw, those probably were some of my favorite ones.
00:07:02
Speaker
And I always may kind of shout out the home team spirit. You know, I'm happy for them. Love it. Proud alumni. Hope to see them keep growing. But What about any marching band shows? Have you seen any marching band shows that are standing out to you this year?
00:07:16
Speaker
I have seen many teaching a high school marching band. Shout out to T.L. Hannah on Let Me Be Frank. That was a great show. I am slightly biased because I do teach there, but A lot of the South Carolina bands, you know, we always talk about Indiana. We talk about Texas. We talk about California. I'm coming from ah high school in North Carolina. That's where I went to high school. We never had state competition. So, and also worked in Georgia for a long time. A lot of really great brands in Georgia, still no state competition.
00:07:43
Speaker
So I think what's really exciting in the Southeast is that South Carolina has that state competition. And so while we were there, saw a lot of fantastic bands, smaller bands, all the way to big 5A bands. So just in general,
00:07:54
Speaker
The activity is growing. I think it's really cool. i think the props and shows, everything's getting a little different, but it's still kind of the same. There's none that's super standout to me because I don't want to be like thumbs up, thumbs down any of them because I just think everybody in South Carolina is really trying to push the activity in positive ways, especially newer schools um that are coming out. Like West Florence is a newer school and they're really rising in the ranks. I think that's exciting. Catawba Ridge has been a pretty perennial or annual successful organization. So don't sleep on South Carolina band.
00:08:26
Speaker
I know it's crazy. Don't sleep on us. We're
BOA Grand Nationals Anticipation
00:08:29
Speaker
ready. We out here. Right on way out here. Haley, have you seen any good marching band shows this season that you want to, that have stood out to you?
00:08:38
Speaker
ah Yeah, and I guess I'll talk Grimcore first, too. i was really impressed. Obviously, Boston and Blue Coats were really great. And I was really impressed with Santa Clara Vanguard this year, too. The avant-garde show.
00:08:49
Speaker
love the hat. Oh, it was so, yeah. It was just so cool and innovative. And I just love to play on their name. And just, like, the little touches here and there you could pick up on. And it was, like, never the same any time that you watched it. Like, I got to see it multiple times. And I feel like I watched it almost a different show each time just because there's something new to pick up on. yeah.
00:09:07
Speaker
i thought that was really cool. And they sounded great. So great. So shout out to them. And then haven't really got to see a lot of like high school marching bands because I mean, I have my own band too. And it's like, I'm always like trying to make sure the children are doing what they're supposed to be doing.
00:09:24
Speaker
but do Look after the children. But I do want to, you mentioned Catawba Ridge and we took our, we have a very small band. in Kentucky and we took them down to the BOA regional in Georgia and Catawba Ridge actually won that regional and we were all like that is so amazing because I mean especially their size um and there were so many great bands there and they pulled out that win and I'm like I wish I had gotten to see that show because I didn't get to because we were trying to get our band ready for the retreat and stuff too you and I was just like They have to be amazing. And there were so many South Carolina bands there. Like there was Nation Ford, Fort Mill.
00:10:00
Speaker
They just had a great showing of bands. And so, yeah, I can definitely reach that. I'm really excited to see Avon, too, this weekend. I've seen some pictures and just like there's so much color on the field. And I'm just excited to see all that. But, yeah, I'm going to get watch a ton of marching bands this weekend.
Travel Logistics & Band Reputation Discussion
00:10:19
Speaker
So I'm looking forward to all that. Nice. You guys just jumped into my next question, but I wanted to shout out a couple of bands for anything else, but being entertaining.
00:10:33
Speaker
Oh, and not just like, wow, the way you sound, but carrying us all the way from beginning to end. And i hope I'm not butchering the name of this school, but um Oswego yeah High School. They're great. New York.
00:10:49
Speaker
I mean, it was just fun to watch. So much fun to watch. but And it's just cute. They did cute really, really well. but And then there was a, oh, and again, I saw so many bands that I can't really remember all of their names, but I do remember what show I saw them at.
00:11:07
Speaker
But there was a traditional band that was out of Mississippi. and they called them the baby Jackson state. And my goodness, I felt accosted by their tubas.
00:11:20
Speaker
like I remember making my tape and I was just like, I know I'm far away from you, but I feel like I'm being slapped in the face. But not only that, they just had so much energy from the beginning to the end.
00:11:35
Speaker
And Doing traditional band, um or at least judging traditional band for me, is such a new thing. But at the same time, after, i guess I'm going into year three, so it's not new anymore.
00:11:47
Speaker
But I still get surprised or like, yeah, I still get surprised by what I see. And it's just really cool to watch it all. And honestly, when I'm actually watching it, because like, you're not just watching, you're talking at the same time.
00:12:02
Speaker
I will always go back and be like, oh I've got to watch this again. But um I had fun watching those two. Now we just, you know, touched on, you know, Hey, we're going to go see some people. Everyone's talking about, everyone's talking about the mighty black and gold.
00:12:20
Speaker
Can't just say Yvonne marching band. I saw it online. Cause like you have to say it the right way. But me, I don don't live in Indiana, so, you know, roast me if you want to.
00:12:31
Speaker
But I am looking forward to seeing them. I'm not going to say who did, but I did find out that somebody, their staff at least, traveled to BOA in a private jet.
00:12:47
Speaker
I want to do that. You got money like that? yeah I mean, okay. I know I personally don't, but i'm I'm open to meeting someone who has that money. Like I can have a friend with private jet money, right?
00:13:02
Speaker
Bring your whole staff to, ah you know, BOA. Great. Do it. thing. didn't know ah and no people were like that. But with all the air travel delays and things, I got super lucky recently. I missed a flight in the morning first time for me, but I generally normally have bad travel luck anyway. I immediately was able to get rebooked.
00:13:26
Speaker
And then a couple days later, they're talking about how they're going to cut so many flights. And I've seen a lot of people who are trying to get to Indy for PASIC or BOA, and they're like, I'm just going to cancel my flight and drive. So getting a jet might You know, time is money.
00:13:40
Speaker
What's that time worth? Might be worth it. i but They paid it. They paid it. So, I mean, again, we are all in the same boat of thinking, yes, I can't wait to see Avon. And I'm not going to lie to you, y'all. I haven't watched any of those big band BOA shows yet because I want to be, you know what I mean? I want to, exactly. I want to i want to have a real life first reaction, like a visceral react to what's going on.
00:14:08
Speaker
But other than Avon, who else are you excited to see? Anybody? You know, I'm just excited to see the shows. It's always something that I talk about with friends where they're like, well, just like you had mentioned, you get really hypercritical when you're watching a show yeah and you kind of miss the just watching it.
00:14:29
Speaker
So I don't even know if there's someone that I'm super excited to see specifically because all the product is going to be fantastic. I think at the end of the day, what I'm excited about is just being able to separate because I don't have any dog in the BOA Grand Nats fight and just being able to enjoy it It's something that is always fun. Like I don't just watch the drum line. I'm like, Oh yes, the flags. Oh, look, the prop. Oh, look this. And just being able to take the whole thing in as like a real show versus trying to hyper analyze it. So I am sorry, Nicole. I can't, I can't give you specific band that I'm excited to see other than all of them.
00:15:02
Speaker
That's okay. ah i' I kind of feel the same way um about this too, but I have seen clips, but when I see the clips, I'm just like, I'm going to watch it really quick. Okay. I'm going to swipe so I can go somewhere else.
00:15:15
Speaker
So all I know about some of the groups that I want to see one, but they're wearing blue and white. I feel like it's a stripe or chevron if, cause I'm thinking back to the little clip that I did see it's and they have these backdrops behind them and they have horn players playing and they are lifted.
00:15:36
Speaker
They're on some kind of motor where they get lifted while they're playing. And while like drill is still happening and going on. And I'm like, and I, as soon as I like, you know, started to,
00:15:46
Speaker
react i was like get off of there because i want to see that real life not to mention like holy ge like and they were up close on them they weren't far away so i'm wondering what all of that would actually like look like when you can take on the whole picture because man and then i want to find out who designed that show because i want to know what it's about the engineering that's not a band is cool Yeah.
00:16:14
Speaker
Yeah. I've seen that clip too. And i would love to see that in person or just, you know, see it again. Yeah. It'd be really cool. um I'm also interested to see Bentonville. They're out of Arkansas because they've been really up and coming and actually have some close friends that help with their design package and everything. So, you know, of course I'm going to root for them, ah but they have just really progressed.
00:16:39
Speaker
And the last time they were Grand Ness, they actually made finals. And so I'm hoping they can do a repeat because haven't been in a couple of years. So I'm excited to see that. because They're kind of like the... I guess, you know, the underdog, whatever, maybe still there's, you know, not becoming that anymore and actually like showing up, especially for Arkansas, you know, cause we don't know a lot of bands from there, us but you know, it's all Indiana or Texas, you know?
00:17:03
Speaker
So I feel like that state could use representation more and that's really cool. of that Speaking of Texas, I know that there is great Texas wave that's coming up here.
00:17:16
Speaker
um I know there's the Woodlands. Who came and did some damage at WGI. I was like, y'all aren't real. Those are not real. Then there is, oh gosh, is Vandergriff coming to VOA?
Marching Arts Social Media Trends
00:17:34
Speaker
Oh, I'm unsure. i would want to see Flower Mound if they were. Flower Mound? I wonder if they were too. and think Flower Mound is going. i mean, you've got so many, so many heavy hitters that are just down there. I feel like if you don't make it to BOA Grand Nats, just going to whatever state UIL Texas competition they've got is a pretty close second.
00:17:54
Speaker
Oh my goodness. That and like the San Antonio regional, that's like baby BOA. least I think so. But ah Jackie, who you all know too, Jackie, who is a host on On Water Break. Hi, Jackie.
00:18:10
Speaker
And then also Joey is going to be at BOA as well. So we'll get little clips from whatever they're doing and in and insert them in different places. But the other thing I did want to talk about too is, you know, since you are on social media and you'll see the little reels and the clips, like the band parents, but I don't know, this is a different kind of breed of band parent now, because like you've got, you know, you've got the band moms are, are,
00:18:39
Speaker
on it with their TikToks and things like that and all their trends. The band dads are coming in like they just got out of CrossFit and just like, I'm going to take this whole thing with me and know I'll go ahead and you know do all this.
00:18:55
Speaker
I've seen a couple like that and i'm like, okay. And then just like what they, you know, are doing. But also the thing that has been getting me lately is that the band kids now have started this new trend where they start the video. They say, you know, I'm trumpet number one signing in for their first show.
00:19:17
Speaker
And then they will do it for their last show and say their name. Like I'm Dan Smith. Yeah. trump And I'm signing out because they're seniors.
00:19:28
Speaker
Ooh, that'll get you. a montage though. We love a montage sign in, sign out. And that's exactly what got me. It got me.
00:19:38
Speaker
I was like, oh. So I feel like the marching arts, you win in trends on social media. You've you've all won in the trends. And if you haven't watched it, man, really watch it. and Please do it.
Upcoming Podcast Previews & Guard Closet's Milestones
00:19:52
Speaker
but Let's see. but Okay. I do want to take a moment to preview just a couple of little things that we're doing for our episodes and our bonus content. Jackie, Joey, and I got to talk with V Queens at Juxtaposition, Stephanie Furness, and Becca Sullins.
00:20:08
Speaker
um And we're going to be starting a series, a new series with Becca Sullins about the design process with Juxta in real life, like in real time. So Joey and Trish sat down with the Peters family. I don't know if you all saw this either, but the Peters family has a member, well, their daughter is a member of Boston.
00:20:26
Speaker
So when she came home from Boston, she taught everyone in her family, mom, dad, sister, the one of the rifle features. And then they performed it. and taped it and went viral for it. So, uh, yeah, that was awesome. We sat down with them for an episode but and then Steven gathered his college band director, Megan Cooney, Neil from Savannah bananas. Y'all know Savannah bananas, the baseball team.
00:20:55
Speaker
um And then also NTCA's Art Grossman at North Texas Color Guard Circuit, just to talk about Bantober and have it from, you know, just so they know what's going on from all the sections. So you want to check all of those out and, you know, get caught up because guess what?
00:21:14
Speaker
This is the third to last episode of the season.
00:21:21
Speaker
I mean, it's great. We've done an episode a week. So, but yeah. That's exciting. That's an accomplishment. It's a huge accomplishment. it a lot Awesome.
00:21:32
Speaker
Well, we're going to kick it to a commercial and we'll be right back.
00:21:46
Speaker
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Guard Closet was founded as a consignment shop in 2000. Since then, it has grown to become your one-stop shop for the marching arts. Do you need consignment uniforms and flags for your color guard, marching band, or drum line?
00:22:01
Speaker
We have thousands of sets of consignments in stock and ready to ship. Do you need show design and custom choreography? Our designers have years of experience in the marching arts. Do you need to sell your items and clear out your storage areas?
00:22:15
Speaker
We take in more than 600 sets of consignments each year and return hundreds of thousands of dollars to our consignors for their sales. Do you need to have your students order shoes, gloves, and other equipment?
00:22:27
Speaker
We can set up a microsite for easy student ordering of a wide variety of items. Do you need custom costumes or flags? We can help get you great designs from our team through top vendors like Shoday Designs.
00:22:39
Speaker
Have you listened to our podcast on a water break? Weekly episodes and bonus content keep you entertained and informed with what's going on in the marching arts. For over 25 years, Guard Closet has been here to help.
00:22:52
Speaker
Check us out at guardcloset.com or follow us on social media.
00:23:08
Speaker
Okay, let's go to the news. Okay.
00:23:25
Speaker
We got our own little stop and reset moment there for a minute. We have some new stories. I'm going to go first because I'm super excited because the guard closet is doing something brand new and I'm super happy to talk about it. And it's called So You Run a Program.
00:23:43
Speaker
yeah So it's the it's going to be a live virtual workshop built for marching arts directors, designers, educators who are just trying to plan smarter, design smarter, design better, and manage the chaos when that time comes running around for a program.
00:24:02
Speaker
um It's happening Sunday, November 30th at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Google Meet. um It's totally free to join, so it doesn't cost anything. You'll get real tips on everything from time management to effective design, plus Q&A from the Guard Closet team.
00:24:20
Speaker
If you're in the marching world and you want to feel a little more organized and better about next season, I think it's probably a really good idea for you to head on over. The link is in our bio and you can just go ahead and register.
00:24:33
Speaker
um And this is not just for Color Guard people. There's a lot of band directors out there who have, you know, Color Guard programs too, and they're doing it all. So yes, go to the bio, register. You're going to love it.
00:24:46
Speaker
Haley, you got the next one, right? So major props to the Bowling Green State University marching band for having one of, if not the largest college marching band in the entire nation. They have 475 members. That's ridiculous.
00:25:02
Speaker
That's ridiculous.
00:25:07
Speaker
Interestingly enough, they also recently got to go to Dublin and they performed in the renowned St. Patrick's Day Parade. And something really exciting is the director, John Waters, is directing the director's band and the upcoming Rose Parade um on New Year's Day. then...
00:25:27
Speaker
They are also going to perform in the Rose Parade in 2027. So how cool is that? Super exciting. I could not imagine having to coordinate that many people.
00:25:38
Speaker
That's crazy. I feel like in a marked, like when they're in parade, that's easier. You're in a block. You're going to stay in that block until you get to the end. But on a field, like what? You have this yard line.
00:25:51
Speaker
Yeah. You're going to go that way then come back and man yeah then come back. Not much variety with that many people on the field. wo Moving like, like, I don't know, not even 16 to five, but like 32 to five, you know, just like barely moving. I don't even know.
00:26:10
Speaker
Crazy. Goodness. So, Taylor, you've got our next one, yeah? I'm pretty excited to talk about this. I don't know if you've ever heard of the band Fleetwood Mac. They're one of my favorite bands. Pretty neat thing happened this weekend at USC. They were playing Northwestern and over there, the Trojan High School, or not in the high school marching band. They're a college. We know this.
00:26:30
Speaker
The USC College Band. um They were playing... Way back in the day, it's like 1979. The band director at the time, he was there at the game Saturday. His name's Arthur C. Bardner. He's
USC's Performance with Mick Fleetwood
00:26:41
Speaker
85 years old. He's retired. He was there and he was watching the band play their show. And what was super cool about this is not only there's a connection point, I swear.
00:26:51
Speaker
yeah Mick Fleetwood showed up as well. And you might be like, why is he there? Why do we have the drummer from Fleetwood Mac with a retired band director watching... you know, the college band show really exciting part of it is but way back when they use the USC band in their Fleetwood Mac's hit song Tusk, which is really cool.
00:27:12
Speaker
I didn't really know a lot of the lore behind this until this story kind of came out. But um the drummer Fleetwood Mac was like, either think it'd be really cool if this happened. The band director or the athletic director there, he was like, hey,
00:27:24
Speaker
I think we can join forces and make some hella history, if you will. So way back when on this song, they used the USC University band to be in this song. Fleetwood Mac showed up, they played it again. They've been playing it for years and years at the stadium. So they had a nice little reunion from way back when not only did that, the students got to perform with the legendary drummer Fleetwood Mac.
00:27:46
Speaker
Seems really great to take something that was so long ago, something that was very innovative and bring it back to the new age and then You know, people like me who weren't around in 1979 get to know a little bit more about that. So pretty neat.
00:27:57
Speaker
You know, I think it's a pretty cool way to take something that wasn't really happening in rock music at the time, really innovative about that in 1979, and then how that continued to be a thing. And now we see so many different places using university bands, drum lines or things like that, and kind of moving that together. So Fleetwood Mac, pretty innovative band. They continue to innovate.
00:28:19
Speaker
get in the pageantry arts, and we love that. Right. I mean, you have got Metallica, who's been doing the that marching band competition. I just found out recently that the drummer of 311 used to march drum corps. Did.
00:28:33
Speaker
dad's Yeah. So like all these ties into like rock bands really do tie into like drum corps and college marching band and marching band. So I love it.
00:28:45
Speaker
I want to see more. I want to know who else has been. I'm sure more people in rock bands have been in marching bands. Can you imagine with all the spam calls that you get, you've actually answered one. And then on the other end is Fleetwood Mac.
00:28:57
Speaker
they're like, Hey, You want to collab? And you're like, for sure. That sounds like something I'm i'm open to doing. So. Absolutely.
Travel Advice & Peak Group Travel Services
00:29:07
Speaker
Pretty neat.
00:29:08
Speaker
Well, these have been great. We're going to take a little break and then we'll be back. Hi, everyone. It's time for your travel tip of the week with me. I'm Beth with Peak Group Travel. When you start reviewing the calendar for the dates for your next performance tour, avoiding major holidays is strongly recommended.
00:29:25
Speaker
Not only will you avoid longer lines at attractions, you could also save money by traveling during the off season. Don't forget to like and follow Peak Group Travel on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
00:29:37
Speaker
And be sure to email info at peakgrouptravel.com when you're ready to start planning your next performance tour. I'm Beth with Peak Group Travel and your travel tip of the week.
00:30:01
Speaker
Ready to elevate your travel game? Welcome to Peak Group Travel, the ultimate adventure creators. Whether you're planning an unforgettable class trip, a once-in-a-lifetime parade experience for your marching band, or a choir tour full of memorable performance venues, Peak Group Travel handles it all, so you can focus on making memories.
00:30:18
Speaker
From breathtaking international destinations to amazing adventures right here at home, Peak Group Travel customizes every journey to your vision. We're not just planners, we're your partners for the trip you want for your students.
00:30:31
Speaker
Our online registration portal makes managing your pre-trip experience smooth and convenient. We even collect your payments if you'd like. Picture it, effortless planning, unmatched experiences, and smiles that last long after the journey ends.
00:30:45
Speaker
That's the Peak Group Travel difference. And if you choose to partner with Peak on your next tour, and you mentioned that you heard about us on the On a Water Break podcast, you'll earn a $100 trip credit. Discover why groups everywhere trust Peak Group Travel.
00:30:57
Speaker
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and be sure to visit peakgrouptravel.com today. You pick the date, and we'll make it great.
00:31:15
Speaker
Okay, everyone, we are back. All right. It is time now for the 60 Second Tech Block.
00:31:30
Speaker
60 Second Tech Block. Ari's have to like, he does scream. He screams so loud. Oh. In this segment, this is where we have one of our hosts, our guest clinicians, put it on the spot just to deliver a 60-second tech session.
00:31:47
Speaker
So it's on a topic it that we need some serious attention after the last run. Our special guest tech this week has to come prepared with three topics that they think they can talk about full 60 seconds straight.
00:32:00
Speaker
I swear I can talk. but So there's no hesitations, no pauses, just pure technical gold. And this is why they never have me do it. Just so you know. tip And this week, let's see. Oh, we're going to throw it Taylor.
00:32:18
Speaker
Taylor said that her best topics would pay sick. how to care for big curly hair while on tour. I have an answer for that. And number three, how to fall correctly in roller derby.
00:32:31
Speaker
um Because I don't know if y'all know this or not, but your girl is a roller derby girl. girl I hit people on skates and it's really enjoyable.
00:32:40
Speaker
I love it. I love it. Okay. Haley, what do you think that Taylor should do? I mean, that roll of Derby sounds pretty fun and looking at your curl and I want to hear those tips for sure. I think everybody needs to hear those tips.
00:32:56
Speaker
um go check that well Beautiful. But I guess, I guess PASIC would be a great topic for this. So I want
PASIC's Significance & Offerings
00:33:05
Speaker
to hear some about PASIC since it's coming up this weekend.
00:33:07
Speaker
That would be awesome. So valid and all those things that you just said to for me, uh, and because it's BOA and, and PASIC going on. And I feel like a lot of people don't know what PASIC is.
00:33:21
Speaker
So i feel like you need to educate the people, educate the children. Uh, yeah. PASIC. I'm down. Perfect. Well, we're going have Haley do it so she can, you know, show her phone.
00:33:33
Speaker
Oh yeah. You got it, Haley. That way I can focus. Yeah. And you can just count her down when she's ready to do it. We good? I'm so ready. All right. Ready to start? All All right.
00:33:44
Speaker
In three, two, one, go. Okay. So PASIC is the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, I believe is what it completely stands for. It's really, really cool. a lot of the times it aligns with BOA Grand Nationals. So they're all kind of happening in Indianapolis at the same time, right over in the convention center.
00:34:02
Speaker
Very neat. I've been a few times and every single time it's extremely exciting to me. um I'm a percussion nerd. I love music at the same time, but bread and butter is in that percussion space. And PASIC is basically the Super Bowl of that.
00:34:13
Speaker
It's the best in all the best ways. It's that international percussion convention. It brings people together, both from education educators, students, artists. And we're not just talking about somebody who's famous in the pageantry arts. It'd be like Sheila E is going to come because percussion is not just pageantry arts. It's not just rudimental. It's not just um Solo instrumentation, it's a whole mix of things. And so across the aisles of all percussion, everybody just kind of descends upon Indianapolis to make sure that, you know, we're pushing the activity, we're pushing percussion.
00:34:43
Speaker
It's really neat. There's four days, there's performances, vendor clinics, educational clinics, I'm going to keep going because it's that exciting. And I'm Robust vendor hall where you can try out new mallets, find new music, do meet and greets.
00:34:55
Speaker
And it's just a really cool place. You see all your friends. It's another one of those things. If you've been to like a grand nationals, or WGI finals, it's another version of that. You see people that you haven't seen before. You get to connect people and network with people that you haven't. If you are not a part of professional art society, I'm not, this is not a sponsored statement. You should totally join if you're into it and maybe try and, you know, check out basic.
00:35:16
Speaker
60 seconds.
00:35:25
Speaker
Dude, that was really good. Really good. And I also now have questions because I always i always thought that like PASIC was just like, kind of like a music convention, to speak, but like, you know, like Midwest or any of the other states when they have their music education association conventions.
00:35:47
Speaker
But now that, I mean, cause like you said, Sheila E who doesn't, well, I know she, I know who Sheila E is. Yeah. And not just from her drumming because like, I didn't know that she was that big of a drummer until like kind of after the fact.
00:35:59
Speaker
Right. I just knew her as a, as an artist. So, so you're meaning to tell me like, it's not like other genres of percussionists will come in.
00:36:10
Speaker
and Yeah. And I can't guarantee that Sheila E would be in attendance, but it, I know that she has gone before or has been recognized before, but I think what's really cool about PASIC is exactly what you said, that it's not just marching. It's not just, you know, classical sit down band that it's really for all percussion across all avenues, whether that's like hand drumming or very unique, specific type or niche area of percussion.
00:36:35
Speaker
The vendor hall, I think is probably percussion nerds dream. There's things from music to mallets to instruments. um It's really like a show floor. Like what new things are our companies promoting for their brands? Like they have that out, you know, you find, I mean, I also think it's probably overwhelming. Like every single person, you know, is trying out a drum set at the same time. Like that's probably going to give you a little bit anxiety if you're not into that.
00:37:00
Speaker
But at the end of the day, like it's just a really cool place. There's their panels on entrepreneurship and how to be a solo musician. There can be educational panels. There's pageantry arts panels. I know Rhythm X and George Mason are doing a couple of clinics this weekend as well, if they haven't already done them.
00:37:15
Speaker
So at the end of the day, it's for all percussion, not just marching, not just this, not just, I think that's what makes it really unique outside of like a WGI or a Midwest where they kind of narrow down what they're looking at.
00:37:28
Speaker
But here it's kind of a wide mix. Like if you like percussion, there's probably something that you're going to enjoy or learn or meet someone new. And I think that's really powerful. I feel like if you're not a percussionist though, you're not, you don't know that because always thought it was just, you know, marching, but obviously it's not. And man, that's like, that's really cool. I feel like there's not a convention that's like that for the other, you know, for. We just don't know. Right. Like, I think a good example is like WGI con, like that's very specific to WGI. Yeah.
00:38:01
Speaker
At the end of the day, that didn't exist. And now
Impact of AI on Marching Arts Design
00:38:03
Speaker
that's a thing. I know that there are are a few saxophone type conventions through their societies and organizations. So it's probably just a lack of awareness. Like I don't play the flute, but I bet there's a flute convention.
00:38:14
Speaker
Yeah. Haley, do you know of any other things that are like that? ah Yeah, like I play trumpet. So like, I know the International Trumpet Guild is like a big thing. and there's, you know, like, especially brass, but like each brass instrument has their own kind of thing. But I definitely think, you know, it's basic being at the time that it is and being right there, like next to the stadium, really close at the convention center. It's kind of helped elevate like, I guess it's popularity and awareness and like, you know, it's just like involving so many different people, like you are saying, um, and just more widely known about than of the other ones, but yeah, ITG, really cool.
00:38:53
Speaker
but And it's really cool that you can hop back and forth. I taught a band and we went BOA Grand Nationals two years ago, and it was the exact same time as PASIC. And one of my friends was presenting a panel.
00:39:03
Speaker
And so I hopped from going to do semifinals with my high school band over to go watch a panel on entrepreneurship and how to be an independent musician and learning from a full panel of people about their experience, whether that's from nonprofit arts into being an adjunct professor or a composer.
00:39:19
Speaker
And then I walked back to do marching band and it was all within 10 minute walk. It's like two completely different worlds, all coming together to make... Really cool thing. Well, Taylor, that was a solid 60 second tech block. I learned something for real.
00:39:35
Speaker
I did not know anything about that. Now I know that I would learn something about the roller derby in your hair with the other ones, but I really did learn something here too that I didn't know before. So thank you.
00:39:46
Speaker
It is what I needed and hopefully what all the children out there needed as well. Let me know if you learned something.
00:39:53
Speaker
But now it's time to switch things up and it's time for everyone's favorite. What are we doing? What are we doing?
00:40:06
Speaker
um What are we doing? All right, y'all, you know what time it is. This is part of the show where we let loose a little bit. ah We have the chance to rant about something, maybe something in the marching arts that just doesn't make sense. Or maybe it's a tradition that needs to go, or maybe it's just something that performers can't seem to break.
00:40:27
Speaker
but Maybe it's just something that makes you think, ah why are we doing this? Or why haven't we started doing this yet? So whatever it is, this is your moment to call it out. Who's got something they want to get off their chest first?
00:40:40
Speaker
I've got something. get when we're in a rehearsal and if you're in the rehearsal there's no reason for you to ask me what time it is there's not there's no reason There's just not.
00:40:55
Speaker
If we've got a four hour block, you're showing up. You want to be there. Don't ask time it is. Like, are you going to, is it going to change how you do the next 10 reps if you know what time it is? And if the answer is yes, we could talk about that.
00:41:07
Speaker
The answer is no. Then be a standby and focus on what you're about to do. but Thank you. You don't need to ask me what time it is. And especially in drum corps. And if you're on the drum line, I did this when I marched, you can take a drumstick and you can learn the trajectory of the sun and move-ins and like use yourself as a sundial if you need to know what time is you would be on survivor and being like uh i know what time it is it's appropriately 11 15 it's time for my morning snack but for real like we would do that my first year marching on the quad line we got really good at that and we would be like it's about 11 30 and then we'd have a water break we'd kind of gauge what time it is but at the same time
00:41:46
Speaker
If you really need to know what time it is to get through it, I understand there could be a mental block, but like push through, you're strong. If you tell your body you can't do it, it's not going to be able to do it. But if you just don't know, we don't, going to change how you, if you should not change how you do rehearsals. So it's not information that is pertinent.
00:42:01
Speaker
Do not ask me what time it Where you got to go, especially for asking what time it is during drum corps. Where are you going? Where are you going to go? The four-clock ain't ready for you. They have a time. I know.
00:42:12
Speaker
yeah Oh my gosh. yeah I would laugh so hard.
00:42:17
Speaker
Haley. was going to say on that too. ah So at Cincinnati tradition, a lot of the the members will say, no matter what time they'll just say it's two hours to lunch. Like it could be literally a minute until lunch block, but it's like, it's two hours to lunch.
00:42:32
Speaker
That's what the answer is all the time. doesn't matter. So it's like, it does not matter. We're rehearsing right now. You know, like how we always say good morning. Even if it's like six o'clock at night. Good morning.
00:42:44
Speaker
Yeah. Like, hello, I'm greeting you. It's great. What time is it? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. ah you know You know what? There's something you're doing wrong if you know what day it is. Time for reps. You know, that's that's the time.
00:42:57
Speaker
but That's the time. It's time for repping. It's time for resetting. It's not time from numbers. Nobody needs that. Oh, facts. Okay, Haley, I'm sorry. What are we doing? Yeah, tell me, Haley.
00:43:08
Speaker
Okay, so one thing that I've been seeing more recently, especially, and I'm a victim of these, is like just the AI videos. Like sometimes i have to ask myself, is it is it real or not?
00:43:20
Speaker
And then I started thinking like, I wonder how many people have used AI to like design marching band shows? Yeah. Oh, And then, you know, I'm like, I really hope that's not happening because there's so many people that are, yeah, like creative and everything like that. And I'm just like, I feel like AI is taking over everything. I'm like, please do not take over the marching arts. It's like, arts is like of the most human things and one of the most human things that we have, you know.
00:43:48
Speaker
um And I just worry that people are like going to start doing that.
WGI Leadership Opportunities & Personal Achievements
00:43:51
Speaker
It's like, Yeah. Don't do that. I wonder if they've... I already saw some props this past... drum corps season and they were definitely done by ai really definitely that's crazy i'm a nice person so i'm not saying it out loud who it was but i saw it i saw it a lot i guess i believe that but i don't say i guess like i do believe that i do thoroughly believe this is occurring but i mean okay i just saw it yesterday youtube and somebody was saying how there was a country song that's out that's like topping the charts and it's made by
00:44:27
Speaker
It's not even a real artist. Well, that's tough. have a few friends that are kind of actors or in that performance space. And they were we were talking about a couple weeks ago. And she was like, yeah, you know, not only are you combating or going up against the competition of other people, but now you're going up against competition of AI actors and actresses. so And I just think that is a really interesting thing. I mean, I guess like AI at the end of the day, like this whole conversation is could almost be a mirror of when electronic drum kits came out and then it was like, oh, this isn't real music because it's not acoustic.
00:45:00
Speaker
So like, I wonder if it's just how it gets used. Will people start to understand what's AI, what's not? Is that human element then going to start setting things aside or like you're going to be able to see a clear line, like everything is the same then the human element pushes you up while AI homogenizes it too much. But we tend to homogenize the activity in a cyclical motion anyway. cyclical So yeah it'd be interesting to see how that...
00:45:25
Speaker
Is it going to be more unique? Is it going to be more the same? I don't know. I'm going to go ahead and go next ah for mine. So my, what are we doing is why are we not letting the kids know about programs that WGI is doing? Now, what I'm saying about that is the reason why I'm saying that is because of, uh, FLP, uh, which is the future leaders program.
00:45:51
Speaker
That is something that's going on. um And it's eligibility. And it's not just for Color Guard. That's the other thing too. And the Emerging Voices Award. Again, something that can be for everyone and not just Color Guard. So percussion, you are eligible.
00:46:06
Speaker
Wins, you are eligible. And Color Guard, obviously, you are eligible too. The deadline for this is December 31st. So you want to get it in before then.
00:46:17
Speaker
However, a lot of people are talking about like, well, I don't know. Where do you see it? You go to the WGI website. You want to click on first link that you see, and it'll take you to the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.
00:46:31
Speaker
Go in there, and then you'll see the links for both the ah Future Leaders Program and the Emerging Voices Program. Here's the other thing too. Instructors and directors, you know your children.
00:46:45
Speaker
Okay. Tell them, hey, I think you would be great for this. It's a monetary award for the Emerging Voices Award, especially if they're doing stuff like spectacularly on the floor and off the floor. Give them time or give them the space to actually shine and be recognized for doing those things.
00:47:03
Speaker
So just wanted to put it out there because I definitely have been putting it all over the socials and things like that. And I hear from a lot of people. Okay. They're like, oh, well, you know, we don't see a lot about this.
00:47:16
Speaker
Well, great. Once we put it out into the atmosphere, you have to share it and you have to talk to your kids about it. That's kind of the way that social media works. You share the information.
00:47:29
Speaker
You know, I'm the oldest one in here and don't want talk about that. Anyway, but but that's what I'm talking about. And that was my Great job, everyone. set your equipment down. Gush and go.
00:47:44
Speaker
Actually, that wasn't my gush and go. That was my what are we doing. My goodness. I need to stop reading and just talk. Anyway. There you go. oh So gush and go. So now that we've gotten all that stuff off our chest, it's time for gush and goes.
00:47:57
Speaker
This is just your chance to like brag about anything that's going on in your life. It doesn't have to be March and band related. ah big event, something that's cool you want to talk about. Just no negativity. It's just hype.
00:48:08
Speaker
All right. um So who wants to go first? Since Taylor, you went first last Haley, or you got some going back? Well, I guess I'm just well looking forward to ah this weekend. I'm going up to watch Grand Nats leaving after school tomorrow and driving up. Really excited to sleep in there. Yeah.
00:48:27
Speaker
um And then just the rest this month is like super cool because first of all, Thanksgiving, I am ready to tear up. So my mom's peanut butter pie is so good.
00:48:38
Speaker
I will pretty much eat the whole pie by myself. Does she make more than one? No, because it's like she knows it's like for me. And I'm like, this is mine because I'd probably eat the other one, too. ah she did And I'd be sick.
00:48:54
Speaker
yeah I resonate with that, Haley. um My mom makes me a pumpkin pie specifically for me. Girl, see, that's where it's It's your own pie. That's right. Don't invite me unless you're going to give me my own dessert. You know, like.
00:49:08
Speaker
It's 2025. Exactly. Yeah. And then ah looking forward to Cincinnati Traditions opening day is the 23rd. So that's coming up. The Guard actually had their opening this last weekend and i heard it went super well.
00:49:23
Speaker
So I'm really excited about that. But brass percussion start the 23rd and looking forward to another great season with them. So November is just stacked.
Conclusion & Listener Engagement Encouragement
00:49:32
Speaker
are you still accepting ah members?
00:49:36
Speaker
Absolutely. Absolutely. So yeah, they just need to, you know, go to Cincinnati tradition.org and sign up for audition packet, get it sent to them right away, pay the registration fee, just like, you know, other drum corps. And then hopefully that we can see them on the twenty third lot of bug exciting Love that.
00:49:56
Speaker
Taylor, what are you gushing going about? I'm pretty excited about a couple initiatives. um The first one is the high school that I teach, T.L. Hannah High School here in Anderson, South Carolina. We will be going to Chicago for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. So if you're not interested in the floats and you want to check out Chicago and the Windy Cities Parade,
00:50:14
Speaker
cities parade Windy city. If you say that too fast, it all comes together. um You'll be able to watch us. It'll be exciting. I'm pretty pumped about it. i don't think my students who are from the South here are ready for the cold of the Windy City. a Nor, I will be honest, I'm also not super pumped about it, but I'm excited to walk the streets there.
00:50:34
Speaker
That sounds wrong. I'm excited to be in the parade. excited be in the parade. You can edit that or keep it if you want. Whatever you guys want. um Ready to see the parade. And then the second thing I think is pretty exciting is paradigm percussion. We're getting into our full WGI season.
00:50:52
Speaker
I'm teaching there. I'm pretty pumped about that. We have a lot of the lines set. If you are, if we have some spots open, definitely if you're interested in anything that we are doing, show got announced internally.
00:51:02
Speaker
I'm pretty excited about it. If you loved our shows on the past few years, you'll definitely like this one. Check out their Instagram, Facebook page, keep up with them there, but little bit of band, little bit of fun, a little bit of travel coming up.
00:51:15
Speaker
Nice. so i love it. Well, my gush and go is about this last season. My first full season of like clients that I was helping put their show together, basically you like a program coordinator.
00:51:32
Speaker
um So I had five clients from five different States. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, it was really cool. Sometimes very stressful, but at the same time, like I'd rather that stress be on me than not be on the director. Cause that's what they kind of hired me for, but it went off great. I had a whole season full of judging. So I was out every week and judging.
00:51:54
Speaker
um I did three state finals. One was, excuse me. One was core style. One was ah traditional HBCU style.
00:52:05
Speaker
And then one was both. So like my brain was on and off. And then the last one that I did lasted three days. So within the three finals, it was about 150 bands when it was all set in time. Oh, okay.
00:52:21
Speaker
Yeah. So that's the reason why I can't really talk right now is because I was using all my $5 and $10 word during the season. So there's that. And I only fell down one time.
00:52:34
Speaker
And I really did fall. ah But it's fine. I just bruised. But it was fine. You got back up. I did. i did. Oh, girl, it was a hard get back up. As Cardi B, as the great Cardi B says, fall down nine times, get up ten.
00:52:47
Speaker
You know? All right. Hey, it's called gush go, not gush and stay. Let's go. Well, this has been much fun. And I love spending time with both of y'all. I'm so glad that you finally both got to meet because it's just like, oh, I was on a show with you and I was on a show with you.
00:53:04
Speaker
And I met Haley when I was judging and she was like shadowing. And I did drum corps with Taylor and yay. I love when my worlds meet up like this. It's so much fun. I want to just thank everyone for a great rehearsal this week and thank everyone for spending time with us.
00:53:19
Speaker
Basically, if you have a question or a good topic that you want to talk about, email us at on a water break podcast at gmail.com, or you can find us on social media. ah Let's see We love just having people on and everything like that.
00:53:32
Speaker
Also too, if you don't want to email us, you can also just whip out your phone and take a video, you know, send it to us and you might find yourself and your shenanigans on with us. Uh, let's see but where can the people find both of you, Taylor?
00:53:48
Speaker
What's your social? Uh, it's my first and last name at Taylor pool seven on Instagram. That's probably going to be the best way to reach me. i don't check my personal email very often. Hey, you're aware and honest.
00:54:01
Speaker
Thank you. It's the first step, you know, awareness. Haley, where can they find you? and Definitely on Facebook, just my first and last name. And I'm on Instagram a little bit. It's my first initial and then Harrington 14 on Instagram.
00:54:16
Speaker
Great. Great. So one more thing before you go, don't forget that we have a YouTube channel. So now you can actually subscribe and see us in all our shenanigans.
00:54:27
Speaker
Also, before you close out of your podcast listening app, go and subscribe, write us a review, share it with a friend or phone. Follow us on social media at on a water break, and we'll see you at the next rehearsal on a water break.
00:54:44
Speaker
The on a water break podcast was produced by Jeremy Williams and Christine Reams. The intro and outro music was produced by Josh Lida. To learn more, visit LidaMusic.com.
00:54:56
Speaker
And until next time, thanks for tuning
00:55:03
Speaker
she
00:55:06
Speaker
its