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On A Water Break Weekly: Collegiate Marching Band Festival 2025 with Kelly Gumble
149 Plays7 days ago
This week we head to the Collegiate Marching Band Festival 2025 in Allentown, PA — where more than 3,000 performers from 20 college and university marching bands brought their traditions, styles, and energy to J. Birney Crum Stadium.
Nicole Younger and Bill “Woody” Woodward sit down with Kelly Gumble of Vivace Productions, who shares her 32 Count Life Story and takes us behind the scenes of how Collegiate has grown into one of the marching arts’ favorite annual traditions. Woody also takes us into the lot for exclusive interviews with bands and staff, and Stephen McCarrick stops by to show off his Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Ring.
We wrap things up the OAWB way — with Water We Doing?! rants and Gush & Go shoutouts straight from the Collegiate community.
🔥 Inside This Episode
- Guest Spotlight: Kelly Gumble on her 32 Count Life Story, the festival’s 30-year history, and the traditions that make Collegiate unique (including the sousaphone circle).
- Lot Coverage: Woody’s interviews with collegiate performers and staff capture the vibe from the sidelines.
- Special Visit: Stephen McCarrick shares the story of his Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Ring.
- Water We Doing?! Nicole, Woody, Kelly, and Collegiate voices sound off on equipment, heat, and band quirks.
- Gush & Go: Shoutouts from Kelly, Woody, and Collegiate guests celebrating wins, birthdays, and band pride.
🙌 Sponsors
Peak Group Travel (@peak.group.travel) – Lock in early-bird fares for your next trip or competition.
Guard Closet (@guardcloset | guardcloset.com) – Your one-stop shop for consignment gear, uniforms, and design services.
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Transcript
Introduction & Overview
00:00:00
Speaker
Hey 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're all about the collegiate marching band festival that happened at J. Bernie Crum Stadium.
00:00:15
Speaker
We'll also find out what made Woody say, It's money. And I would have dug into my winter program, so we can't have that, now can we, Nicole? Why Steven said, band can get you one these babies.
00:00:27
Speaker
Got my name, everything. Man, i was waiting months for this. All this and more on this week's episode of On a Water Break. It's time for a water break.
Nicole's Festival Experience
00:00:54
Speaker
Hey everyone, it's Nicole and we have a great episode this week. I was just at the Collegiate Marching Ben show in Allentown, Pennsylvania with Guard Closet, Fruhoff and on a water break. And I met some really cool people like Kim Jones, more from her later, but we're going to talk more with some other people.
00:01:11
Speaker
And I met so many other people as well. But before we go to the sidelines, go and subscribe on your favorite listening app, write us a review, share it with a friend. And if you got a question or a good topic you want us to talk about, email us at onawaterbreakpodcast.com.
00:01:28
Speaker
Sorry, onawaterbreakpodcast.gmail.com. Or you can find us on social media. DM us if you want to be on the show. We have a little form you can fill out. The link is in our bio.
Hosts Reminisce About the Festival
00:01:40
Speaker
so Excuse me. So who's in our side zones this week? It's Woody. What's going on, man? What's going on? It's been a while since I've seen you, Nicole. good to see you. ah too I know. I know.
00:01:52
Speaker
We were the same place, but not in the same vicinity. I was going to say, you know, I got a lot of foot hours at that collegiate thing. and I didn't see anybody from the crew or Jeremy, but oh well, you know. But I got some good material.
00:02:11
Speaker
Right. I was at the booth. You were moving and shaking. I was just waiting for people to come to me. That's the man on the move. That's me. ah love it. Did you get to see everyone that went on on Saturday? excuse me on sunday Actually, no. I had some technical difficulties, and that was the end of my day.
00:02:32
Speaker
I spent about half of the day. but I got middle of the program, and then ah I actually lost a piece of equipment record with, so my day was done.
00:02:47
Speaker
Oh, well, that's okay. It was hot.
00:02:51
Speaker
but what The material I did get, it was good. Quality stuff. Great. Well, just let our listeners know what we're talking
Understanding the Festival's Essence
00:03:01
Speaker
about too. So this past weekend, we were at the Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown.
00:03:06
Speaker
um It's an incredible showcase. It has over 3000 students there from 20 different colleges and universities. And they were all at J. Bernie Crum in Allentown. So it's not a competition. It's just a celebration. And they just bring their productions and the community comes together to sit and watch and cheer on every group that's there.
00:03:26
Speaker
I have never been. So this was my first time seeing this. And I was just like, yeah, yeah. I'd never even heard of it. I was just like, what the heck you say? Yeah. Never heard of it. You've never been? Oh my goodness.
00:03:38
Speaker
This was my first time. And so seeing smaller college bands come out and then the larger college bands come out, I was blown away. I thought it was cool. And I was just like, wow. And then the fact that it ran like 30 minutes behind was like, wait, there's no judging happening. What is this?
00:03:55
Speaker
And they were like, and let me direct your attention to after they perform. And then they do what they do at every college game that they go to. i was like, wow. Oh, I see how that can happen now.
00:04:06
Speaker
So,
Meet Kelly Gumbel
00:04:07
Speaker
yeah. But we're excited to be joined by the person who helps make this all happen, Kelly Gumbel, who oversees the festival and works closely with the Vivace Productions just to keep this tradition alive and thriving.
00:04:19
Speaker
So joining us on the sidelines this week, please welcome Kelly Gumbel. Kelly, I know that you are all around that vendor area. So I didn't really get to see you, but I'm excited to talk to you now about this tradition that everyone loves so much.
00:04:34
Speaker
Yeah. Thanks for having me. This is great. Thanks. um Also too, you know, no one comes out unscathed, but we do have something that we are asking of you. It is called the 32 count life story.
00:04:47
Speaker
but For every guest we have, we will ah give them a metronome and 32 counts. And you just give us your life story from birth till today. Super easy. Sure, yeah.
00:04:58
Speaker
All right, we'll give you Adolph the Met and then you're in. So I was born in Lansdale, Pennsylvania and I'm a graduate of North Penn High School. already did marching band there and then went on to Westchester University. I majored in music education and marched in the band at Westchester, worked in marching bands for a bunch of different high school groups, taught for the last 21 years and now working at Vivace Productions as the director of operations.
00:05:22
Speaker
Did I get it in? Okay, I think you did. That's pretty good. and all right. That's the very good. You wrote that down or was that all? That was here. That was here. If I wrote it down, it would have gone long. I'm sure of that.
00:05:38
Speaker
That's great. Well, I have a couple of questions for you. well And Woody does too. And just to ask, the first thing is for the people who haven't been, you know, I know how I would describe it because this was my first time going, but how would you describe the vibe at Collegiate Marching Band Festival? Yeah.
00:05:57
Speaker
Yeah, I think during the intro, you hit it pretty close. It really is a celebration of all things collegiate marching band. um You know, some people, I think, wonder, is it a competition? Is it judge? Are there evaluations? And it's really all meant to be just a celebration, bringing folks together from all kinds of different programs.
00:06:14
Speaker
And our company president, John Villella, founded this in 1996, kind of for a way for collegiate programs to recruit high school students. So let's bring a bunch of college groups all to one place and let all these students kind of see what this can be in a lot of different ways and give them a chance to see what maybe they might be interested in doing when they move on into college themselves.
Festival as a Recruitment Tool
00:06:36
Speaker
I love that. And I love the fact that like a lot of these performers that are with these bands are the ones who, I mean, because there were high school kids there to watch on a Sunday. And I'm like, did you have a competition last night? yeah Yeah, a lot of them do. And they come by the busload or they come with their families. And and it's it's a great opportunity for them to see a lot of different things all in one place.
00:06:59
Speaker
That's cool. I mean, because we're not all built to be drum corps kids, you know, and some kids will go from, you know high school band to drum corps to college band. And, you know, some of us just are some people just want that buffer, you know, and then go.
00:07:14
Speaker
That's cool. That's very cool. That's the kind of yeah vibe I like about the college. It's for all the musicians, not just that special athletic kid who marches in the DCI or all age drum corps. I like that a lot.
00:07:30
Speaker
So I do have a question for you, Kel. How'd you get involved in all of this? so no just stu First off, you don't just stumble into Vivace, the Vivace organization.
00:07:43
Speaker
Somehow you have to get in there. I have some experience with it. I'd love to hear how you got involved with it. Oh, absolutely. So when I was a student at Westchester, you know, John Valella was my band director and he's at the founder and the president of Vivace.
00:07:56
Speaker
And so when I first got introduced to the company, I was just signed on as summer help for the company. I worked in the office. I answered the phones. I did a lot of the paperwork and the mailing and and all that kind of stuff. And then we host one of our Vivace events, a marching band workshop at Westchester, being directly involved in working with all the clinicians and all the high school students that come to the workshop, all the educators that come to the director sessions for the workshop.
00:08:22
Speaker
um And just kind of establishing relationships with people. And so did that for a couple of years during college. And then after I graduated, continued to come back each summer to help out with that particular workshop. The Education Summit is what we call it now.
00:08:36
Speaker
And then, like I said, I've been been teaching full-time and, you know, i had a couple of kids and got away from it a little bit, away from my work with Vivace. And then um just over the last few years, I've made a shift in my teaching life where I've gone from full-time public education to part-time collegiate education, working at Westchester now in the music ed department. And so this was like a prime opportunity to get back involved with Vivace. I had some extra time to be able to do that.
00:09:03
Speaker
um And now to be able to, pardon me, to be able to serve, you know, the community, the marching arts community in so many different ways through my work at Vivace has just been really, really enjoyable.
00:09:15
Speaker
yeah Yes. That's good, by the way. That sound means good. yeah Excellent. So I, and you know, this is coming from someone who didn't, I did not experience the college marching band environment life. You know what I mean? Like that just is something I didn't do. So my question is, and because I feel like every time I see a band on the field, like where are the judges? What are the rules? You know, that kind of thing.
00:09:42
Speaker
So the festival has always been exhibition, correct? Correct. Correct. Okay. So why do you think that's so important because of, i mean, like why it's so important to its success and spirit to not have it be a competition?
Community & Diversity in Marching
00:09:59
Speaker
Yeah. I think that, you know, at the heart of what we're doing is trying to bring a community together, you know, the community of collegiate university marching band and, you know, the competition element is something that I valued as a marcher when I was a kid. And I valued as a member of marching band staff, working with competitive groups,
00:10:17
Speaker
But in this situation, I think really it's about the celebration. It's about bringing together the community and it's about valuing all the different ways that college marching band can look different styles, different values, different, you know, different presentations. And rather than, you know, trying to have sheets and compare and contrast. And, you know, in that situation, you sort of have to have certain things that you're looking for rather than,
00:10:43
Speaker
you know, just enjoying what's out there and being, being able to celebrate what these young people do, uh, in so many different ways. It's true. I saw so many different styles out there and and not just in style, like styles, like that was going on, but also in like content.
00:11:01
Speaker
Like I've never seen ah marching band, a college marching band do so much content. Like it was a marching band. Unlike what I'm used to in my area, you know?
00:11:14
Speaker
Absolutely. You know, it's funny you say that because, again, that's something I love about this particular show. ah First off, the variety of programmings.
00:11:25
Speaker
That's awesome. The other thing that I really noticed is that even though it's not a competitive show, the pride in every one of these groups is so high. Like, the pressure is almost more pressure than a...
00:11:43
Speaker
It's weekly competition. you know like They take it to heart so well. I think that's fantastic. I actually, in a lot of my interviews, because I was so excited to be there, I say it a lot lot of times in all my interviews, I was involved with Westchester for about three seasons in the early 2000s when this first started.
00:12:06
Speaker
And they were sporting like four or five bands there. And it was really cool then. And I haven't been since I left Westchester. And the excitement of seeing the park full, like it was a regular drum corps show, I was like, I was really buzzing.
00:12:24
Speaker
And then, yeah. But then, but then Probably my last year at Westchester, they had Cheney State there.
00:12:36
Speaker
And that was cool. But a lot of people didn't know much about the HB Historical Black College thing. And don't know if there's been more participating, but it was really nice to see Delaware State there.
00:12:51
Speaker
And it was very exciting because here on a program, we have been trying to get in touch with that, bring that community into the On a Water Break world. So I went out of my way to make sure I got interviews with those guys, because I think that's that's very cool that we're You know, just this organization is trying to touch all the different, you know, vibes of marching music. I think that's cool. So I can't wait for people to see that interview.
00:13:19
Speaker
I got a chance to talk to that. And kudos for you for bringing them in. Yeah, we actually have. um So when John started it, there were eight original groups that came back kind of year after year for a long time. And Morgan State was one of those groups.
00:13:33
Speaker
And Morgan State came for a very long time. And unfortunately, it's just been unable to join us the last couple of years. I know that was really missed. So we were super excited when Delaware State was able to join us. And we want to make sure that that's a huge component of college marching band that should absolutely be represented at the show.
00:13:49
Speaker
So. Oh, god there we go. The enthusiasm that the kids have is so different. Like, you know, ah the drum corps style bands, when they finished, they went back to the truck.
00:14:01
Speaker
These guys were locked and loaded from the gate going back to the bus. And they were super excited and doing all their steps and everything. I'm like, wow, that's a different mindset.
00:14:13
Speaker
Much different, you know. And... But also cool is they have a lot of that flavor left from, guess, what you can call, I would call the old school.
00:14:26
Speaker
You guys are young, so my generation would be old school to you. And then I go back that next group of people and that military discipline approach that they take, you know.
00:14:40
Speaker
you know, back when eyes with pride. Yeah, they have that, that flavor to them. I think that's fantastic. So Kelly, I am always wanting to know like what's going on behind the scenes. So you have 20 bands coming from different States, multiple States.
00:14:59
Speaker
ah What's the biggest behind the scenes challenge pulling off a day like collegiate?
Organizational Challenges
00:15:06
Speaker
I think that the biggest thing is just that folks probably have no idea how many different components of the day are managed at the same time. So, you know, part of my job leading up to the event is to make sure that I'm in regular communication with the directors of those bands, making sure that we know you know how many people are coming, how many you know Silly things. How many wristbands I need to make sure are in your packet for your group and those kinds of things. And making sure that we we have the logistical flow and the stadium mapped out in such a way that we know how we're getting in and getting out and how we're moving all the people and communicating with all the guests that are coming and making sure our ticket sales site is working and all of those things are... are are just all different parts that need to be managed ahead of the show. And then when we get to the day of the show, um I don't know that a lot of people realize that Vivace is not a ah terribly big company.
00:15:56
Speaker
It's really just a few of us that are kind of doing all the work of Vivace. So on the day of the show, we have dozens and dozens of college volunteers from the different bands who are volunteering to work ticket booths and who are helping our bands, you breed the bands when they arrive and get them set up and who are helping set up the stadium and selling t-shirts and doing all kinds of things. So managing the student staff, the student volunteer staff on the day is a whole other part of the show.
00:16:26
Speaker
In addition to, we've also got you know the exhibitor area, Nicole, where you were, which is just representation from all the different participating schools if they choose to be there. um different, or you know, all of our sponsors in that area who help us put on the show, as well as other organizations just within the marching arts community who are there, know, just as kind of like information area for a student who might potentially be interested in the different organizations that are represented. So i think it's just the number of different components that have to be set up for that kind of event to run.
00:16:58
Speaker
And, you know, we're located in Westchester, the festivals in Allentown. So it's also communicating with And this part is handled a lot by, I don't know if you know Mitch Houston, who is in Allentown and does a lot of work with DCI East at J. Bernie Crumb.
00:17:13
Speaker
But he helps out with all of the Allentown side of things. You know, we have to get set up with the parks and rec and we have to work with the school district for all the stadium and facilities things and the fire police and all the different, you know, all the different kind of just stuff that has to be done so that we can park the cars and we could do all the different things. So It's just there's so many spinning plates in the air all the time. That's the biggest that's the biggest thing.
00:17:40
Speaker
So how many go in? Yes, that's great. And honestly, that you can remember all of that without, hey, let me take out a list because you've been working with this so long. But I guess my other question, do you know how many volunteers you had working the show this year or roundabout approximately?
00:17:57
Speaker
it It was probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 60, I think. Wow. Because most of them are students in the bands. So, you know, we need some students early in the day. And then when they have to go and warm up and get ready to play, we need to make sure we've got other people in to replace them. And so our student staff came from Westchester, came from Lehigh University, Widener University.
00:18:20
Speaker
And a couple of groups that weren't even in the show, Wilkes University came, sent some volunteers, and Muhlenberg College sent some volunteers. So there's a lot of different places that pitch in to help and make sure it goes off.
00:18:32
Speaker
I love that this is the this is such a community-based thing, and I really wish it happened in more places. like this is The fact that this has been going on so long, and I'm just finding out about it, but also like how the community of the marching band people will come together and still help out, even though they're not performing.
00:18:50
Speaker
we just don't get that right in many places. That's awesome. It's really cool that you have volunteers from the band. I thought that was something... like when I was involved in, well, when I was involved with Westchester, like the student, well, it's not student. That's not the word I want. The fraternity were the people who handled that.
00:19:15
Speaker
And that, that I thought that was awesome. You know, most of times when you hear about fraternities, it's usually drinking and partying and what a great time.
00:19:28
Speaker
And when I heard, the kids talking about it, I thought, how cool is that? Because it was something that the fraternity was doing, even though it was overseen by the adults, it was fraternity thing.
00:19:42
Speaker
And I've always thought that was great. And it's nice to hear that that's still going on. That's good. That's cool. Absolutely. and Yeah, yeah. Well, in those eternities, so Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are literally organizations that were founded to serve, you know, to serve the music program and serve the bands in their schools.
Traditions and Greek Involvement
00:20:01
Speaker
And we also had sisters from SAI with us. We have in the past had brothers of Phi Mu Alpha. So it is very largely led by the Greek organizations that are music affiliated. And it's a really amazing thing to see that kind of positive aspect of Greek life for sure.
00:20:17
Speaker
And with that being said, I do have another question for you. Now, back in the early 2000s, there wasn't this sousaphone cluster thing.
00:20:29
Speaker
You've got to give me a little bit of history about it, and I'll tell you how I feel about it, because actually one of the clips I took was about sousaphones. We'll talk about it, but tell me how this all started.
00:20:41
Speaker
I gotta to tell you, this is one of those myths that I don't know if I actually understand the origin of the tuba circle, but what I know is My husband was a tuba player in the band, so he took part in this when we were students. And what and I could gather from him was that when Westchester and University of Delaware used to play football against each other, and I truly don't know why, they're different divisions, and it's a whole different thing, um but it was sort of this rivalry game between Delaware and Westchester, and that was the only OA game that the Westchester band ever went to.
00:21:17
Speaker
And so... we noticed like they would have the same kind of tuba cheers chance that would go on during the game. And I guess from what he told me, ah they kind of like realized they played some of the same stuff. So after the show, they just went on the field and got together and started playing some of the same things that,
00:21:33
Speaker
ah They heard each other playing during the game and over time that has grown and grown and grown and other schools are joining in. Everybody learns Hey Baby. Hey Baby's the big one that they play. I don't even know if they played the original chant anymore. But and then some of the some of the tuba sections from the groups like prep something and get something ready and make sure they have something new to introduce in the tuba circle. And I can't tell you how long it's been going on, but it's certainly been there every time I have ever been to the show. And it is it has been the way the show has ended.
00:22:05
Speaker
You know, what they need to do is, you know how the drum lines have had those drum battles. You a tuba battle. You need a tuba battle. Now, I think I pointed it out in one of the clips I did only because for whatever reason, the community frowns upon the sousaphone during the high school thing.
00:22:29
Speaker
But as soon as you go back to college, they're all about it. And I can't understand why. The instrument doesn't bother me whatsoever. And I think it is definitely, i guess, a trademark of marching bands that makes it different from drum chords. But, you know, that's just me.
00:22:49
Speaker
aye I like the Suzy Phones, especially when they look good and they're nice and shiny and everything. And those, usually tuba players take very good care of their instruments.
00:23:02
Speaker
I think that's the nicest thing everyone's ever said about a tuba player. Well, yeah, because the tuba player is one step from the drummer. We're one of the same people.
00:23:14
Speaker
You know, just like a violinist is much different from us. See, I haven't heard of Sousa phone cluster. I'm going to have to watch out for that when we put this episode together.
00:23:26
Speaker
But are there any other traditions that happen too? I think you're looking worse than out question yeah yeah i think the other one that stands out to me is all of the Greek organizations who are there. and not just the students who are there to serve, but the students in the Greek organizations from the other schools, very often at the end of the show, we'll get together, they will circle up and they sing and they like hold hands and they sing together as a community. and It's really beautiful. I was never part of those organizations as a student, but always from the sidelines and and even now just being able to see the way they come together. And I think that's another aspect of,
00:24:01
Speaker
you know, this is not a competitive event. We are one community and now they're getting to kind of connect with people who are doing the exact same thing they're doing, maybe in a different way from a different place and find that commonality and come together.
00:24:14
Speaker
I saw a lot of t-shirts with Greek letters on them. And, you know, as I'm looking and I'm trying to like look up what that is, you know, I was just like, I didn't get, I didn't get that part either. And I was just like, yes, I know there's like some Sinfonian.
00:24:32
Speaker
Right. But I'm sure there's, well, I saw a lot more than that. So Yeah, I was a little bit like, wow. There is other like mini microcosm of people up here in Pennsylvania doing this together. For sure.
00:24:48
Speaker
For sure. Yeah. I didn't see any Greek stepping. You know, you were in the Philadelphia area and down at the Belmont Plateau, you have to come with some steps.
00:25:01
Speaker
I don't know anything about that. I'd love to learn more. No, I don't even know if they still do it, but that used to be big when I was in college. ah You go to the Belmont Plateau. i don't know if you, of Nicole, I don't even know if you're from this area.
00:25:15
Speaker
I'm not. I'm not. and i but I'm from Virginia originally. Okay. In Philadelphia, there's a, even better. Fresh Prince, you know, the beginning.
00:25:28
Speaker
And he talks about the Belmont Plateau. West Philadelphia. Yes, where he's born and raised. I know that. Well, out in West Philadelphia, there's an area called the Belmont Plateau.
00:25:42
Speaker
And every summer, the local colleges, the Greeks would come together and they would have a big Greek festival in the Belmont Plateau. And all the Greeks would have different dance steps, almost like what you just saw with the college bands, but They're just doing steps and things like that.
00:26:01
Speaker
And I was just kind of teasing her because basically this college marching band show was our version of the ah Belmont Plateau. Oh, okay. butcha got it Gotcha. I got See all this gray?
00:26:20
Speaker
That's the stuff you learn. Oh, you found that funny, huh, Kel? Yeah, I'm old.
00:26:26
Speaker
Time's coming for all of us, Woody. I know. I know. Woody, did you have one more question you wanted to ask? Did I? I'm sorry. to have any more questions I wanted to ask? Yeah.
Festival's Future and 30th Anniversary
00:26:37
Speaker
No, you know what? I'm thinking that we should be going to a commercial break. That's what I think we should be doing. Okay. Well, we'll begin to wrap this up. Jeremy, actually, can you pause for a second? Another part, too, but that's all right.
00:26:49
Speaker
Ready? So there were thousands of people in the stands, Kel. What do you hope that people walked away with from this festival?
00:27:01
Speaker
I hope what they don't only walk away with was how hot it was. Because it was a hot day and I know that that was a big thing for a lot of people. was like oneco it was it it was ah It was definitely a warm one. But what I really hope they walk away with is, is you know, what we've been talking about for for the last little bit here is that sense of community and that that there is an opportunity for everyone in college marching band. There is somewhere to go where you're going to find your your community. You're going to find the style of marching band you might be interested in, um you know, and and the families of these students all coming together and gathering in one place and finding community amongst each other.
00:27:41
Speaker
I think that's the thing I want for people to take away is just that this one big, very diverse and vast community, but um you know, we all value the activity. We all value the participants of the activity and, and there's a sense of pride and community amongst all of us.
00:27:56
Speaker
All right. So the festival coming up is coming up on its 30th anniversary season very soon. So what are you most excited about as you think ahead to this next chapter?
00:28:10
Speaker
I think something that we take pretty seriously is just making sure that we're always evaluating it, seeing where we think we can grow or or other opportunities that might be available. So we don't have any concrete answers right now to that, but just the idea of being able to carry on traditions and try to bring some new groups into the fold or some new ideas that are going to help support our performers and our bands and continue to make this an experience that everybody values and wants to take part in.
00:28:38
Speaker
Awesome. I know that I had fun with it. Good. um I know that I had fun with it. It was really cool to see and experience that for the first time. But Just because I was, I mean, it was, again, come from like, what are the rules? Where are the judges? You know, that kind of thing. And it's just like, oh, well, if we're, you know, doing this and we're running behind, it doesn't matter because we're all here to perform and just see each other.
00:29:06
Speaker
I was like, oh, okay. I had a good time with that. I'm still sitting at 30 years, Nicole. What have i been doing with my life for 30 years?
00:29:16
Speaker
Well, I'm still stuck. I'm telling you, this thing's been going on longer than my marriage. My goodness. I was there in the early days. I didn't realize it was that long ago. 30 years.
00:29:31
Speaker
Oh, my goodness. wow aye Oh, you tell your story. I'm done. I'm just like last week years old when I found out all of this. Well, maybe a little bit younger, oh you know, a month later or something like that. But it was just very cool to be like, okay, well then let's go and have fun and enjoy marching arts.
00:29:52
Speaker
You know what we do. So Kelly, thank you so much for sitting and talking to us. We are going to go into a commercial and then we'll be right back.
00:30:11
Speaker
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Speaker
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00:31:04
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.
00:31:17
Speaker
Check us out at GuardCloset.com or follow us on social media. Guard Closet.
00:31:31
Speaker
And we're back. Now this time, instead of going to the news, we actually have a bunch of interviews at Collegiate done by Woody. Take it away, Woody. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, it's Woody, and I'm here at the Collegiate Marching Band Throwdown of the Universe.
00:31:48
Speaker
I'm excited to be here. We're going to talk to some people in the field like usual, and let's get ready to have some fun. Ladies and gentlemen, we're here with the famous Jake Cunningham, the master of gender drumming.
00:32:01
Speaker
And I'm going to ask him a question without any problem. Jake, what are we doing? Welcome to the C&J Podcast. I don't know what annual one it is, but there's been a lot of it.
00:32:12
Speaker
We got a lot of colleges across the East Coast coming here today. It's going to be a great day. It's a big festival. I'm sorry, so I have a friend to meet up for everybody. I see one of my friends right here. got friends all across a lot right here. It's going to be a great day. It's a little bit hot, but that's okay. We're going to be in full uni.
00:32:24
Speaker
That's also okay. Good day for me. It's great day. Now, you've seen a lot of these quarter weeks doing. This man, he just let it loose, right? Woo, what are we doing? Okay, shake.
00:32:35
Speaker
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, as as you know, I'm not only a drummer, but Color Guard made me. And one of the things that is not in Color Guard anymore are the twirlers.
00:32:48
Speaker
And so I figured I'd give them some special love because that's what we do here on the water break. Ladies and gentlemen, we have the twirlers of... Lebanon Valley College.
00:32:59
Speaker
Local, local twirlers. And we have... Emily Tebow, I'm the coach. Sam Waller, I'm the captain. and the again I'm just on the major end of the team. She's just on team.
00:33:14
Speaker
She's just on the team. Hi, I'm Jack Callen, also major end on the team. Here we go. Some enthusiasm on the team. Come on in, ladies. Hi, I'm Chrissy Griffiths. I'm also on the team.
00:33:25
Speaker
That had enthusiasm. And last but not least. Hi, I'm Sarah Ray. I'm also on the team. And let's bring our coach back in. And i always ask this question. totally oh We're here to have fun and we're twirling supporting our school and um we're really excited to perform today so that some high schools can see and um just continue to keep the legacy right? Yes and continue to increase our a newer major ed squad but all of us really love it and we're really excited to perform today.
00:34:00
Speaker
Nothing to be ashamed about doing what you've done. I saw you guys doing the twirling definitely. yeah They do this thing, they stand in a single file and it's almost like old school color guard. The rifles go up and someone steps forward and I was like, wow, look at that. I gotta have So guys come together and give me big cheer on, you know, come together. They don't like being a team, I think.
00:34:28
Speaker
and Like on three, give me big Lebanon Valley. One, two, three. Lebanon Valley!
00:34:37
Speaker
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. If you're a band guy, you you got to really appreciate the Susan phone, right? One, two, three.
00:34:49
Speaker
Got to appreciate that. Ladies and gentlemen, I hit yet another le Lebanon Valley speedball. We're here with the color guard from Lebanon Valley. We're gonna talk to the captain here.
00:35:03
Speaker
yes. She is the official Lebanon Valley representative. And she's got personality, look at that. Oh, oh, oh, we got a backdrop.
00:35:13
Speaker
We have a backdrop. That actually looks pretty sharp, right? Yeah, look at the picture, yeah. Let me fix this. first so put that right Oh, that looks sharp, ladies and gentlemen, right?
00:35:29
Speaker
So um here and um on the water break, we have a and phrase we use all the time. What are we doing? Are we doing? it Yeah. When I say it that way, like, I don't know, what are we doing? You having a good time?
00:35:45
Speaker
Yeah. Everybody here have a good time. Yeah. It's nice to remember the old days of just a few. You don't look at all that old. I'm 20. Yeah, so it wasn't that long ago when you left the high school door. No.
00:36:00
Speaker
And you came back for more love, huh? Yep. Yeah, I did. She came back for more love. One, two, three. Love you, Sally! And there we have it, ladies gentlemen.
00:36:12
Speaker
I'll see you on the other side. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm getting an impromptu what are we doing? I'm here with Umi. You know, it seems like no one wants to stand in the camp tight.
00:36:25
Speaker
So I'm walking down after the rowing what are we doing? And boom, he knocks me over. I fall on the ground. almost fell on the lake. no No, it wasn't that bad. But I'm going to ask Umi, my new friend here from Westchester, what are we doing?
00:36:44
Speaker
This is the Legion Band Festival where all these like crazy bands come here and perform like their their cool shows. I'm talking about this. But no, these shows are amazing. I sat in the hot sun for four years making all these cool shows here.
00:37:01
Speaker
Now I'm a part of yeah may and me and TBS. What we do here, we run this entire event. We kind of make sure everybody gets part and just kind of set up the way they are. been here since 8 in the morning, just making sure everybody's good.
00:37:14
Speaker
yeah you going thisplace oh If only he knew my history. I was here for the first couple of women. Yeah. With the time of parties and the doctor. Yeah. all them Yeah.
00:37:26
Speaker
I'm going to hunt down Dr. below And I don't know if Todd's here or not. I don't see him much. time is here Is he here? believe Wow. That would be an awesome interview. Don't you think? yeah i sorry Oh, Garrett just tried to slip in. He wants some more love. in any Get in there. Get in there. Man, man.
00:37:46
Speaker
So ah thank you for your time. Thank And ah thank you for keeping this thing together. Of course. Because it was awesome when it first started. And it's wonderful to see how much this thing is going We got to keep this. We got to keep this.
00:37:57
Speaker
Yeah. That's another thing. but We've had that discussion before, and it's good to see see that in there. I love it. Every time her be I be here, I feel like I get a little more, and that's why I do it. So I said, we're going have to stop it. Thank you very much. yeah Oh, and look at this.
00:38:14
Speaker
where you We're uniting friends. Wow. This was a great interview. Look at that. It must be serious because it was an my God in there. All right, ladies and gentlemen, have a good day.
00:38:28
Speaker
Even in college marching band, we have the props. The dreaded props. Let's reset.
00:38:39
Speaker
Woody, those were fantastic interviews. we are so lucky to have Woody here, our boots on the ground person. um Also, um I was at the tent and Stephen stopped by So here's what we talked about.
00:38:52
Speaker
Hi, it's Nicole. I'm here at the Collegiate Marching Band Festival here in Allentown, Pennsylvania. And I'm here with Steven! found one! Finally! We met in real Finally! There's so many birds that are happening here today.
00:39:05
Speaker
But ah you had Rowan here today. How'd it go? Yeah, it was great for Rowan. Rowan's a really new marching band. I think this is our third year in existence. So like, so many beginner games each year where it's like, wow, the band is so much better this year than they were last year. And I think they noticed. Last year they had us going on 15th. This year we went on 6th.
00:39:23
Speaker
So that was a big step up already. That's awesome. You guys are doing something special apparently. Hey, we saw them and we're like, hey, all right, the marching band for college.
00:39:34
Speaker
yeah Everyone's doing like some big things. Oh, yeah. We're we're moving there for sure. yeah Speaking of big things, can you clock this ring? Oh, man. I've been waiting to show this thing off here. Let me oh my goodness to get it off my neck.
00:39:49
Speaker
It's like that big diamond from Titanic, but only it's not. so Well check this out, we got the Eagles Super Bowl ring.
00:40:01
Speaker
fan can get you one of these babies. I got my name, everything. Man, I was waiting months for this. was very excited when I showed up. Well, as a friend, I'll say I'm proud of you. That is gigantic, and i would walk around with that all the time. Oh, yeah. Definitely on an Eagles game day like today. Yeah. Go, Birds. We got have Eagles win this afternoon. you know You know me. Of course I was checking it out on my phone while was watching my baseline.
00:40:26
Speaker
Right on. Big dad. Big dad forever. Awesome. Well, we're going to kick this over to Woody. He's in the lot with a lot more marching bands and drum lines. Stephen, it was so great to finally meet you in person.
00:40:39
Speaker
That was so much fun. And I got to see the Super Bowl ring. It was amazing. Now we have Peak Group Travel with your Peak Group Travel Tip of the Week. Hi, everyone. It's time for your Travel Tip of the Week with me.
00:40:52
Speaker
I'm Beth with Peak Group Travel. If you're doing a special performance on your next tour, make sure you contact the venue to be sure of everything that's included. Things like electricity, chairs, stands, lighting, and maybe even large percussion instruments might not be included.
00:41:10
Speaker
So make sure you check before you leave in case you need to bring anything on your own. Don't forget to like and follow Peak Group Travel on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And be sure to email info at peakgrouptravel.com when you're ready to start planning your next performance tour.
00:41:26
Speaker
This is Beth with Peak Group Travel and your travel tip of the week.
00:41:42
Speaker
Ready to elevate your travel game? Welcome to Peak Group Travel, the ultimate adventure creators. Whether