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The One with WGI Percussion World Class 2025 Performers
113 Plays7 days ago
Join Host Stephen and Sean as they get to meet some amazing 2025 Performers from WGI World Class Percussion.
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Transcript
Introduction and Focus on WGI Percussion
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. And this week we are all about WGI with a special preview of what you can expect on the percussion end of things this coming winter. We're also going to find out what made Shawn say, I can't see the light, the light of day ever. That was so bad. And why Colette said, you just gave as much as you can to, to this so that whenever you put it out there, it's something that you were proud of and it's a little, it resembles yourself and the other people around you.
00:00:30
Speaker
All this and more on this week's episode of On A Water Break. o addoph the met and go welcomed you on a water
00:00:53
Speaker
Hello everyone, it's Steven here and we are back with another episode of On a Water Break. This week we are talking all about WGI. Can you believe that it's already winter season? I certainly can when I step outside.
00:01:06
Speaker
But this week, we are gonna check in with some awesome performers on the start of their WGI seasons. but Before we see who's on the sidelines this week, make sure you go and subscribe, hit the notifications on your favorite listening app, write us a review, and share this with a friend. And if you got a question or a good topic that you wanna talk about, email us at onawaterbreakpodcast.gmail dot.com, or you could find us on social media and DM us if you wanna be on the show.
00:01:31
Speaker
We've even got a form now that you could fill out if you want to be a guest. We love hearing people on the podcast, so check it out at our link in the bio on our social media.
Transition and Challenges in Music Journeys
00:01:39
Speaker
All right, let's see who's on the sidelines this week. We've got Sean McWilliams. Welcome back, Sean. Heard you were at PASIC a couple weeks back. We'll talk about that in a second here, but how's the transition into a winter band going after your fall season?
00:01:53
Speaker
i i was like I was like talking so much earlier. We're going to cut this out. um Probably talking all over my intro too. Dude, I you wounded literally was. I was like responding. So yeah, coming out of marching band, you know we we got right back into concert band mode, kind of full time. There was a good break between the end of the marching band season, which which for us in our south Southeastern PA band happened like late October, which is kind of early, even for our area pretty early. um You might know, you definitely know, um but yeah, so it's been like, you know, concert to concert in the in the first half of the year. And then we have this huge long kind of like gap of of time where there's we's nothing, no performance opportunity for us to work till till till like May 1st.
00:02:44
Speaker
So it's i'm like i'm trying to really yeah I'm trying to reinvent the wheel a little bit and like in like really keep it fresh right now. and like We're going to try like something called a silent rehearsal next week, which is like, or it's like a rehearsal. We just kind of try it. I don't think we ever had it up or derby, but like ah I just don't remember it if we did have it. Nah, I don't think we had it. Yeah, I don't it know if that was something we tried then.
00:03:08
Speaker
um but's But it's, ah you know, it's something that I'm just gonna, I talked to the kids about it today and and the students were like, yeah, let's, sure, like, let's just try it. Like, what we're doing is getting boring. So, and we're only in January. So, you we're nearly done January, but like, you know, we got another four months ago, so five months of full school. So, we're, you know, between Jazz Man, starting up like literally today and and concert band kind of just going,
00:03:37
Speaker
you know, couple months at a time in the first half. And then we have a big long stretch here. It's been good, man. we're working And that's how it's going. Yeah. Well, that's cool, dude. I think you can look at it like an opportunity when you got that big stretch of time. It's a great space for you to figure out some like cool, fun, new things to do with your group. So we'll talk more about that later for sure. But let's meet everyone else who's on the call with us tonight. We've also got Colette Lyman from Music City. How's the start of your season going? Hi, it's been pretty good. It's a really strong group of people. And I've had a great start of my season.
00:04:07
Speaker
Travel's been rough since it's about a 10 hour drive for me, but I'm so glad to be back. Yes. But I am so, so glad to be back. It is my home completely. That's wow. I'm going to want to hear more about all that in a little bit for sure. The farthest I've ever driven for band was about like seven and a half hours for X, but 10 is a different beast because seven and a half. That's like I was the most that I could have possibly done.
00:04:34
Speaker
wow We'll get to hear more about ah your music city experience in a little bit, but let's let's just check out who else we got on the call real
Relocation and Joining New Ensembles
00:04:41
Speaker
quick. We got Jacob Witten from Broken City. I'm moving out to the West Coast, so what's that been like for you, Jacob?
00:04:47
Speaker
It's been great. ah I decided to move out here for a Broken City. I'm originally from Colorado, so coming out to California was a huge change for me. And I'm having a great time living with ah some of the other out so out-of-staters here. I always thought it was cool when I was at X, like when you do get that pod of people from out-of-state and they they kind of just now it's like drum corps almost because instead of doing weekend band only, you're like locked in to weekend band all week since you moved for it.
00:05:16
Speaker
It's like a totally different beast. So that's awesome. Can't wait to hear more about what you guys have been up to. Back over on the Colorado side of things though, we've got Antonio Lozano from Blue Knights. So same question. How's the beginning of your season been going, Antonio? I'd say it's and been a great season, a great group of people, and I think it's definitely a better start than the last couple of years.
00:05:39
Speaker
Oh, nice. Yeah, that's cool. I'm excited to hear more about like what makes you feel that way as we get a little bit more into each of these ensembles later on in the call. But thanks for popping on the call with us here. And ah last but certainly not least, we have Vic Enzler from Infinity 2 Percussion down in Florida. So we're really covering all of our geographical bases and time zones right now. Spare for maybe we should have had someone from Central Time. Is Colorado Central Time or Mountain Time?
00:06:08
Speaker
we're mountain in time mountain time yeah so i think we're missing we're missing one time zone we were so close but uh yeah uh vic how is uh infinity 2 and all the other folks over at infinity going oh infinity 2 has been amazing it's so fun it's my first time in a world ensemble but yeah i know all of them are just excited to get rolling yeah i love the infinity 2 show design actually like uh i think was last year the pirate show or am i thinking back too many No, they did the pirate show last year. It was so sick. Yeah, the pirate show was actually like super sick. I think that like, ah man, I'm getting ahead of myself. We're going to want to talk more about infinity later, but I really like the way that they like work their designers up the ah chain as well so that people are getting by the time you're designing for even infinity to let alone infinity. like
00:06:59
Speaker
just really skilled in putting together a good program. yeah So that's awesome. Why don't we take a chance now, we're going to get into these 32 count life stories so that we can get to know everyone a little bit better. 32 count life story is exactly what it sounds like. You're going to get get about 30 seconds to catch us up on everything, cram it into 30 seconds.
00:07:24
Speaker
in your background here that ah brings you up to where you are today. So it's really actually not that deep, but Colette, do you want to get ah get us started? I'd love to. All right. You're going to get eight and then off the map. All right. My name is Colette Lyman. I was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, born and raised. And I've always been in music. Music has been a part of my life since birth. I started piano at six and moved into percussion at nine. I started playing marimba at Peddle High School up until I was 16 whenever I auditioned at Mystique. It was the biggest shock of my life. And I've not been proud to call that my home. It's my second year there. And I'm excited to see what the passenger world has in store for me in the next couple of years. And that's about all. Wow. So you went straight from Peddle to MCM? Yes, I did.
00:08:13
Speaker
That's very impressive. Thank you so much. That's a no small task at all. That's nuts. Yeah, that's, that's, that's pretty crazy. but So wait, how, how many seasons do you have left then? My age out, I just turned 18 last week and my age out is 2029 for um WGI and 2028 for DCI. So I have about five seasons left.
00:08:40
Speaker
Um, I have a lot of opportunities left for me. Yeah, that's crazy. I'm excited to see where it goes. Yeah, you're going to be running things at MCM someday. All right. Jacob, uh, looks like Collette led a good example here. Are you ready to give us your 32 count life story?
00:08:58
Speaker
Let's do it. A and in.
Experiences and Excitement in Percussion
00:09:00
Speaker
So I'm Jacob. I'm from Colorado. I originally ah started world with Ryze percussion. I started there towards the end of the 22 season and returned for 23 and 24 all on base two. And then I decided to come up to California for my age out. So I'm super excited to be with Broken City and I'm having a great time.
00:09:22
Speaker
nice yeah buddy of mine from unite he's a symbol player and he used to teach rise i'm not sure if he would have been there in 2022 any chance you know a guy named alex hartley i do not know sorry okay he probably stopped teaching maybe back in like uh 2020 2019 ish instead then i guess but uh dude i didn't realize you're a bass drummer that's awesome what time are you playing at a broken city i'm on bottom base Bottom base at Broken City. Nice. Well, that's cool. I'm going to nerd out about base from with you later on in the call, but we'll ah save our listeners that for now. Antonio, you ready to give us your 32 counts? Yeah. Yeah. I'm ready. Cool. Let's get in there.
00:10:05
Speaker
Hi, my name is Antonio Lozano. I was born in California and quickly moved to Colorado because my dad's in the military. I got three siblings. I started band in seventh grade on clarinet and then switched to percussion in ninth to grade. And after I graduated, I marched with Jersey Surf this last season and marched with Spirit of Atlanta. And this is my third season in the Blue Nice Percussion Ensemble.
00:10:27
Speaker
I teach at a few of the high schools in the local area. And then even though I have all this music experience, I'm going to school for communications and for film. Nice. Yeah, no, I was much the same man. I love music. And honestly, I wish I was doing something with music professionally, especially lately, haven't been loving it. But sometimes he's got to, you know, keep the two separate, keeps a little bit more a piece in your life when you're not trying to make all the money off of your passion. But, uh, well, I mean, honestly, you could be making money off the passion and communication and film as well, probably are. But, uh, that's awesome, dude. And pardon me if I forgot, but what instrument did you, uh, do you play?
00:11:07
Speaker
Oh, all front ensemble, only keyboards I've never marched in my life except for Paris. Let's go. ah Yeah, Sean's your man. Wait, Antonio, sorry. random Really, really random question. Do you happen to know Mike Nevin by any chance? i I know him. We've like talked before and I've like had different... Yeah, I've met with him a few times but I don't like know him, know him.
00:11:32
Speaker
Gotcha. Me and Stephen kind of had him at Upper Darby High School in PA in 2014, 2013, and Stephen in 2012 probably too. Back in marching band, yeah. but we had Yeah, we had him for marching band over there. He was awesome, dude. He was really good for us as high school. i don't he he Yeah, you probably... I don't think he was teaching that much at BK, PE anymore.
00:11:56
Speaker
No, I've never been taught by him, but he's given like judge tapes, or not judge tapes, but just like some feedback stuff for high schools and everything. Yeah, he loves BKPE too. He was really big with them in the early 2000s, like he was with them when they were winning stuff and everything. And yeah, anyway, sorry, connection came to my mind. Sorry, continue. Yeah, no problem. at all And then ah Vic, why don't we get you started with your 32 count life story now as well. You ready to get going?
00:12:26
Speaker
Yes, absolutely. All right, cool.
Career Shifts and PASIC 2024 Highlights
00:12:28
Speaker
Hey, my name is Vic. I'm from Boca Raton, Florida. I was originally a dancer for about 14 years, but then I quit because I fell in love with music. I started playing percussion in sixth grade, but now I'm actually a graphic design major in Orlando, Florida.
00:12:45
Speaker
Last year I was center marimba for infinity three, which was amazing. Um, and now I'm playing vibraphone for I two. Um, and I'm just having a ball. I'm so excited for this season to start. Nice. Yeah. I'm really excited to see what all of your groups get up to actually, uh, all four of you and United for Sean and myself excited to see how all these seasons pan out. But before we talk more about WGI, let's hop into the news.
00:13:28
Speaker
Alright, uh, Vic, do you want to get us started? Looks like you've got the first one lined up here. Yes, I'd love to talk about the PASIC 2024 recap. PASIC 2024 was in Indianapolis. It featured standout performances, educational sessions, and one of the largest exhibit halls in the event's history. It showcased the latest innovations in percussion instruments, compositions, and products. Wow.
00:13:54
Speaker
On the RCC Drumline from Riverside, California, ah they made its basic debut offering main stage performance, a movement for Drumline Masterclass, a culture building session, and a program design clinic. This event also recognized PAS legacy members, ah which is those who have attended 40 or more conventions,
00:14:15
Speaker
Before the Friday evening concert, outgoing PAS President Julie de Villa announced the completion of a strategic plan developed with Taylor advising to guide the organization's future. For more information, visit www.PAS.org. Nice. Yeah, that's interesting. I've never actually gotten to be to PASIC, but I know that my friend Sean here got to go this year. Sean, what did you think of PASIC this year? Oh my gosh, I love PASIC.
00:14:45
Speaker
And Vic described it perfectly. That's a great. I mean, you got a lot of it there. there's like Yeah, there's a huge exhibit hall. I mean, it's just, I mean, okay, TLDR, it's just like percussion heaven, kind of, like, you know? Yeah. Sounds like it. It's got everything for everybody. Like, there's something for everybody that's there. it's it's a it's And it's such a great community that, you know, you go there and it's just like everyone is like reun reunions, you know, left and right. It's such a good, I mean, you know, it's good to be connected with that community. It's such a small world too. Like, and we all, most everyone ends up like knowing someone else from here and there. Like if I was that basic, it would probably just be like, yo,
00:15:31
Speaker
Yo. Oh my gosh. Yo. Yeah, I mean, like, there's like Tom Monks walking down the street and then there's like, you know, Jim and Kona might be there, you know, or like Ian Moyer might be there or Mike McIntosh walks down the street. Oh, oh, Mark, my, uh, Karminatus is there. It's just like awesome. So it's such a, such a good place. Jeff Prosprey will do a clinic and, you know, this year I got to actually take part in ah one of the clinics that was going on as a, by a really good friend of mine, a classmate and friend, a good friend of mine from Eastman named Austin Keck who did composition slash new music.
00:16:00
Speaker
clinic and and showed off a bunch of music that he's been writing for Percussion Ensemble. So as a classmate, we got to play a lot of that stuff and he's just a you know just a master and a young master. like it's nuts He's such a young guy who's so talented and and such a hard worker.
00:16:19
Speaker
you know So yeah, it was ah it was a great time. This year, last year, I got to go literally as a spectator for my first time. The year before, I performed with Eastman. The year before that, I played with the International Marambo Orchestra.
00:16:34
Speaker
And then two years before, like a year before COVID 2019, I got to play with Jim Campbell, who was the long time. I think he actually taught, I think he taught cavies. He taught a lot of places, but he taught cavies and he's had a lot of guys at the University of Kentucky who he has taught, like, I think actually Mike Nevin, funny enough, by the way, but had him as a, as a, I think at University of Montana, like way earlier. Anyway, I digress. It all comes back to Mike Nevin.
00:17:02
Speaker
duy oh well at least you know for me but yeah For me it does, you know, that was my first teacher. But anyway, yeah, so it was a great time. Actually, I think Mike was there. and i think't I'm so mad, I didn't get to see him. He's always been there. He's always there. He's in the walls, now I'm kidding. So yeah, it was a good time. Yeah, i'll I'll be there someday. I honestly hope that somehow someday I could do some bass drum thing there. um But even if I'm just going just to check it out, I've got to make it there someday. It's percussion mecca, got to go.
00:17:37
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, there is like, there's like a bass drum, like I need if you want. I think that's what I'm saying. Yeah. It's like, I feel like I can make this happen. I got to write a whole liney, produce it out, really make a thing, but don't let me bust it down. Get the, get the gang back together for it. yeah Me and Dodie. See, you're going to go crazy. at peace but All right. Antonio looks like you've got a story here about my Alma mater.
00:18:05
Speaker
Yeah, Penn State. Alright. The annual percussion at Penn State Marimba Festival and Competition, hosted by Dr. Lee Hinkle and the percussion at Penn State Studio, took place on January 18th through 19th of 2025, showcasing master classes, artist recitals, and a competitive platform for rising talent. Sponsored by industry leaders such as Adams Pearl, Innovative Percussion, Yamaha, and Sonaris Percussion, the event attracted percussionists and educators from across the country.
00:18:36
Speaker
A key highlight was the marimba competition where Sonaris Percussion generously awarded two mallet instruments as grand prizes to the top competitors. Esteemed judges included Nancy Zeltzman, Rosie Circon, and several other industry professionals who brought their expertise to the event.
00:18:58
Speaker
The festival concluded with an artist recital featuring remarkable performances by Dr. Lee Hinkle, Kristin Kler, and Rosie Circone, leaving the audience inspired. For event updates and more, follow at Penn State Percussion on Instagram or visit percussion at Penn State.
00:19:17
Speaker
Yeah, you know, I wish that Penn State was getting into all this percussion stuff when I was a student. That would be pretty cool. No marimba clinic when I was there. But that's awesome. I love to see something so close to home really yeah and trying to set up these sort of opportunities for folks to learn and even to get gifted some nice new instruments. I always think that's cool too when companies are willing to spread out something that's really honestly pretty expensive.
00:19:46
Speaker
Sean, are you familiar with like these sorts of collegiate festivals? Have you been to one like that? I went to, I mean, yeah did they they happen, sometimes they just kind of pop up. I think Penn State's been, they try, I think they did something last year too, or or maybe two years ago, they did something pseudo recently, but maybe at a different time of the year. And it's it's it's it's so good for the, it's so good for the local community, like when that sort of thing can happen. Like, I know a bunch of Westchester people who are, though it's like a kind of an adjacent PA a school, PA university. Big PA school.
00:20:18
Speaker
Yeah, and some people, I don't know if people from Temple ended up going, I know, but it got a lot of people to come up and I think, you know, a lot of the competitions attract that too. It's so good. That stuff can sometimes pop up like PAS actually kind of used to and still does have these days of percussion, which are like a one day a year like festival of all featuring like, it'll be like the Philadelphia Orchestra. I'm just telling you about our area specifically.
00:20:43
Speaker
I think there's a lot of stuff that happens like this in Chicago, like there's stuff in Austin, Texas. he's kind of These kind of big like hot spots, you know, New York, Boston, Tennessee, like Nashville. um I think there's a Marimba festival or a Marimba like Academy Institute sort of thing forming in Nashville with Vanderbilt this year and um not too privy to the stuff out in the West Coast. Maybe Jacob knows more. But um yeah, that's that's I love I think it's so good. It's such a good thing. It's fun to go to, too. I mean, you don't even have to perform or compete if you want to just go and learn. It's great. Yeah. Yeah, dude. Someday I'm going to start the Penn State Bass Drum Festival. Let's go. Let's go. I'll register. You got me, man. All right. Collette, it looks like we've got a story that you're sharing from one of our friends of the show. Drum Corps today. What do you got? All right.
Fundraising and Event Streaming in Drum Corps
00:21:35
Speaker
Drum Corps is expensive and with world class scores averaging five thousand four hundred seventy and
00:21:40
Speaker
open class averaging 3,352, this tuition has become a massive barrier to entry for so many talented people who love the activity. If you're in a position to donate, please take a minute to check out their fundraisers and if you aren't, engaging with this post and sharing it are still great ways to help them achieve their goal. If you're marching this summer and are looking to get your fundraiser added to the list, check out the post pinned in the fundraising highlight of our profile and fill out the form.
00:22:04
Speaker
Nice. That's actually an awesome resource. But I want to call attention back to some stat there that I thought was crazy. The average world class core tuition is $5,470. Yes. And I've even seen some get up to $6,000 just for a summer. It's yeah.
00:22:22
Speaker
That's insane. that's That's a lot of money. Well, definitely sounds like things like what Drum Corps today is putting together are more important than they've ever been. So if you're someone who's marching soon and you need help raising funds, go check out Drum Corps today page and ah check out the post pinned in the fundraising highlight on their profile. I'm sure that it'll be a good use of your time to try to get some help towards next summer's tuition. And Sean, Flow Marching is setting a new streaming schedule. Can you tell us about it?
00:22:51
Speaker
Yeah, so check this out. It's on it's on flowmarching dot.com. If you go to one of the, some of that one of them actually it's posted in December, it looks like. So this has been out for maybe about a month and a half, maybe a month.
00:23:06
Speaker
But the all the dates are up for percussion, ah and i and I think Color Guard as well for for WGI. So right now, I'm looking at the percussion side of things. I got February 15th, Chicago percussion, regional, Trumbull is that same day in Connecticut, Orlando, Florida, Temecula, California, is the next one on this 22nd. Looking ahead, you know it's got thanks for everything march eighth you know almost every weekend there's something going on. Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Jackson, Missouri, Waconia, Minnesota, Powhatan, maybe I'm not saying Powhatan, Virginia.
00:23:43
Speaker
airymen I got it. Harryman, Utah, yeah, lots of stuff. It looks like WGI finals is, and I ah requested off for work, so i know I know this kind of freshly, April 10th through 12th is the Percussion World Championships. That's going to feature, I know it's like literally thousands of people and and thousands of students, and it's not too much to say thousands. I think but i don't have this number in front of me. I'm kind of just remembering.
00:24:10
Speaker
But it's a lot of, a lot of students kind of just got me thinking, man, I was like, dang, these shows are creeping up on us. Aren't they Trumbull? Trumbull's coming. We got two weeks, baby. It's just two weeks. Just two weeks. still our literally It's like literally two or three weeks. Yeah. Two and a half weeks, man. Until the first kind of round.
00:24:33
Speaker
Oh boy. All right. Yeah, it's crunch time. We got to get rehearsing. All right. Yeah, man. Well, we've got to get back out there because it's crunch time until we got to get these shows going in a couple of weeks. So we're going to get some practice in real fast and we'll be back with a little bit more about this upcoming WGI season in a couple of minutes.
00:25:05
Speaker
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00:26:27
Speaker
All right everyone so we are back now and it's time to dive a little bit deeper into the WGI percussion season that we have coming up. Now we've been saying I'll call along that percussion season is coming up but in reality we've been in the thick of things here for some time and you guys are putting in the serious work now. So I'm excited to hear about like what your perspectives are on the season and uh more about like sort of what you're looking forward to as we get down the line here but get a Quick question, you probably can't tell us a lot about the shows. I know that not all these shows are announced yet. You're still coming right around the corner, but I'm interested to hear kind of your perspectives on how things are going and and how excited you are about, you know, what you guys are up to out there. Jacob, you're a bass drummer. How are you liking the splits at Broken City? I'm loving them. I love Mike Jackson's writing. So do I. He's been my favorite writer.
00:27:25
Speaker
Right. yeah I remember watching all those Blue Knights videos and and ah Broken City videos, especially from the last few years. And I love what he does. And the show design is just my favorite thing. I can keep gushing later. But yeah, we're having a great time. and Bottom base, i you know, you don't have any usual crazy splits on bottom base, but I'm holding it down as best as I can with a giant drum.
00:27:52
Speaker
Yeah, I always liked, I feel like Mike has some of the most creative bass writing that really is out there, man. Yeah. it It blew my mind too, because I thought that he was a bass drummer. And then I learned that there's a different Mike Jackson, who's about the same age that was a HB bass drummer in the 90s. Different guy, not the Mike Jackson that writes for Broken City. And honestly, that kind of tore my worldview apart a little bit, because I was like, Mike's the guy. He's the one bass drummer that's actually out here, like, writing for a group. And I was still wrong. The bass drummers are not out here writing for groups.
00:28:32
Speaker
unfortunately. But hey, he's got a brain a lot like a bass drummer for sure. Oh, yeah. How are you liking the season thus far? Or actually, how are you liking California, man?
Weather and Class Differences in Percussion
00:28:43
Speaker
I think California is great. The weather out here is fantastic. Besides, I know there's been a lot of wildfires recently. Oh, yeah, I guess that actually is um yeah tricky. Has that impacted your your actual like rehearsal dynamics and things like that this year?
00:29:02
Speaker
Thankfully, we are pretty distant from the LA fires, although I know and there are people a lot of people who lost their homes and of course can't yeah do the regular rehearsal things, which is very sad. Fortunately, we're being so far. We had the pleasure of staying outside, although it was very windy. That was a big thing.
00:29:22
Speaker
i yeah I've been hearing and that was a big part of why the wildfires were really causing so much damage. Tragic what's been going on out there, but it is nice to hear that Broken City is able to keep on humming along and ah you guys are still chum churning and doing what you guys do.
00:29:38
Speaker
right So that's cool. let's get We'll get back to Broken City in a little bit here. But ah Vic, why don't you tell us a little bit about Infinity 2? Is there anything different that you would say from when you were marching Infinity 3 to how you're marching Infinity 2 now ah that you're like, wow, this is a big change?
00:29:59
Speaker
oh It's definitely different. you know Going from like the open class to the world class is like a huge step. Expectations are higher. The music is harder. But the staff is amazing. They've really just been making it a smooth transition for me. And I'm very grateful to be marching I2. Nice. So like one thing I always think about with ah Infinity, particularly I2 last year, is that like it's a very theatrical production.
00:30:27
Speaker
through and through. So like are they training you guys on bringing that sort of a theatrical vibe, or is that just like something you pick up on from being around? What's your experience there? They're definitely very big on performance, but you know music always comes first. I think a lot of the times, performers can just like find themselves in what they're playing, and that kind of just ties it all together.
00:30:56
Speaker
Yeah, like you need to internalize that. I felt like that was my experience at X too. Like when I finally aged out and I was at like my peak, if we'll call it that, was that like being really good was being able to really internalize my show. And that's what allows you to really bring it back out is when you really, really can, can push and feel it in deep. I don't know if that was a little too wooey way to explain performance, but But, uh, I definitely could relate to what you were saying in that regard. and Infinity 2 is cool. I, uh, man, I'm excited to see what you guys get up to this year, but I won't prod you for specifics about your show at this time. All right. Colette, how was, uh, you said this is year two of MCM for you, right? Year two. I'm going strong. Is there anything that you're doing differently as a second year member?
00:31:48
Speaker
I think definitely coming back as a vet instead of a rookie and just being older, I feel a little bit more responsibility. I try and catch on to things quicker. I try in and really be there for the people around me so that that like even rookie members this year can have that same smooth season that I had last year and get that same experience. So while it is a little bit more pressure on me to be able to go with the flow and kind of pick up on what people are putting down as quick as possible, I think i think that's what makes the marching arts be able to progress as fast as it does is just the vets who have already seen it being able to be there for the people who are new. you know That's kind of something I've been trying to make a change about coming in back as my second year. And to continue to carry that culture and and in a really big way for you specifically since you're not aging out until 2029. I mean, who knows if you'll do all of those years at MCM or
00:32:43
Speaker
all of those years in general, frankly, you've got a lot of years ahead of you. very many That you get to kind of create that culture, not just pass along a culture, but ah at a certain point when you're in the ensemble for that long, like you're the center point and you are kind of, you become a big part of that culture that you're passing on. Is there anything that you feel like to you really stands out as like the core of MCM culture? Like what do you guys believe in over there?
00:33:11
Speaker
I think the core of MCM culture, i kind of I kind of picked up on it before I was even there because you see it a little bit and everywhere you go, it's kind of the special thing within everyone that but that's there that kind of puts puts their all towards towards what we do and kind of gives up a little bit of the outside world to really invest into this special project. And that's what makes me so excited to kind of share our project with the world in the next couple of weeks with our first show and just kind of put everything out there that we've been putting so much into so far. And that's that's kind of the Mystique way. You just you give everything, you just give as much as you can to to this. so that Whenever you put it out there, it's something that you are proud of and it's a little, it resembles yourself and the other people around you. i think I think that's what makes it beautiful. And you see that, you see a little bit of that even from a distance, just watching Mystique, that's just kind of what takes your breath away initially. You just see all these people who have,
00:34:07
Speaker
who have this passion and this like in this drive to do to do what theyre what they all have come together to do. And that's what makes it super special. Yeah, that is that's a good way to put it. Because you know to call a spade a spade, I marched Rhythm X. We've got a very nice friendly rivalry between our two ensembles. And I think that you know even though at its core, we both are putting everything into our show. And that's what it's all about.
00:34:33
Speaker
I think that that's something that's actually really admirable about MCM is that I can see that everyone at MCM is working really hard and they know that everyone around them is also working really hard and you can trust that you're all gonna work hard together. Yeah. That's awesome.
00:34:51
Speaker
Antonio, ah correct me if I'm wrong, but did you say this is your first year at Blue Knights? This is my third year. Oh, gosh, darn it. Okay. Third year. So you're the most longstanding vet that we have on the call then. ah Is there anyone else ah in the Blue Knights Front Ensemble that's a third year or longer ah vet?
Leadership and Support in Ensembles
00:35:16
Speaker
Yeah, there's a few. Our center, Scotty, he's been with the indoor since 22. But he's been marching since he was like, I don't know, like 15 years old at all sorts of other groups. thingng And then ah one of our rack players, this is their fourth year, I believe to start in 22 as well.
00:35:35
Speaker
And I think those are the two longest vets at the moment. And there's a few other three year vets that joined the same time as I did. I got the privilege of being a three year vet at United and I definitely felt like by the time you're back there for the third time.
00:35:48
Speaker
you're like you're so deeply embedded in the ensemble and you know like what you're trying to be. Do you feel like now that you're doing this for your third year, like you see anything in how you carry yourself or like how you're approaching helping peers around you that's like kind of different than how you felt or were able to even you know think when you were a rookie or a second-year member? ah Yeah, for sure. i mean Coming back even as a vet, but then more so this year, of course,
00:36:18
Speaker
Yeah, I hold myself to a way higher standard than I used to, especially I'm like an inside marimba spot this year. So it's like, everyone's looking towards me. And I have this experience. I'm one of the older members too. And I have other outside experience. So it's like, what i what I do needs to reflect myself and just other ensembles I've been in as well. Just like, yeah, this is how I've learned things. This is how things have worked in the past before. And it's like, just these younger people, I'm hoping they trust me with this kind of stuff.
00:36:47
Speaker
And yeah, I definitely know what I'm working towards. Like for the season, and everything I want people to be on the same goal. And we've like established this as an ensemble at different points in the season so far. Like the staff gave me a small leadership role this year of like, Hey, we're going to push you in charge of like rehearsal etiquette of like,
00:37:04
Speaker
you're going to get people back on track. They've said the last few years, I'm like, always get a flippy nest, which I don't want to make sure everyone is on that same page of, oh, we can have fun and goof off. But then when we're back in it, it's like, all right, we're back in it for real. Let's get to work. And they're going to put out a good product for everybody else.
00:37:20
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. That's like almost the same type of thing that we were talking to Colette about where it's like as you become a more and more established vet, it really becomes like your space to dictate how this ensemble is going to actually function because like all the people around you are going to look up towards you. And then the example that you set is going to kind of guide how most of everyone else around you is going to actually operate. How have you been liking sort of that like leadership opportunity at Blue Knights? Oh, it's good.
00:37:48
Speaker
They I like interviewed for like sectional in a position but it was hard for them to decide who exactly was gonna be it and They put me in small leadership roles before and this one I'm more so like specifically asked they asked my when my goals were as a leader and I wanted Effective rehearsals to be in place. Yeah. Okay, they like that It's been going pretty well. At some points, I'm a little hesitant of like, Oh, should I tell this person to stop talking or not? Other staff is kind of talking to someone individually. So it's trying to find that line of like being too mean, but still getting things done. I think it's been going pretty well. Rehearsals are definitely
00:38:24
Speaker
ran smoother and like on track more than they were last season. So I'm feeling pretty good about it already. Nice. Yeah. I always feel like the rehearsal etiquette stuff is like a funny one because people think it wouldn't be fun to like avoid talking to your friends. But really, when everyone's locked in, it's like, this is what we're here to do. like yeah Everyone focusing and being in the rep is like, that's what we're all about.
00:38:48
Speaker
So it's like the goal isn't to like be super good, but also it's fun when you're good. So why not just give you any better? Yeah. And you can, there's appropriate times to crack jokes. And you know, sometimes it is while other people are doing stuff, you just have to be respectful. It sounds like you're doing a good job of like helping everyone toe the line. And I'm excited to like see what that leads to for you guys this winter.
00:39:11
Speaker
So it'd be great to hear what you guys are most looking forward to in your seasons. I guess can we just kind of go around and and kind of maybe just like throw out one thing. um Vic, do you what are you looking forward to like most in this like next like competitions are about to start like you know shows show seasons about to start it's about to like kind of start to right? I mean, someone said to me the other day we're halfway through our kind of like seasons right now. So so you know, what are you at this point? What are you looking forward to most? I'm actually really excited to go to WJ Atlanta regional. I think it's coming up ah in March actually. So next. And yeah, it was so much fun. It was a really cool event. And it was like the first time I got to see ensembles from outside of Florida. So I'm so excited to go again.
00:39:58
Speaker
Yeah, that sounds like it's going to be a great time. What other ensembles do you remember? What other ensembles are there with you guys? I remember seeing Music City last year. I thought it was so cool. Redline was an amazing show. In my brain when you said Redline there, I thought I was thinking of the ensemble Redline and I was like, they came all the way down from Detroit? That's crazy. I didn't know there was an ensemble.
00:40:23
Speaker
Yeah, there is. There's a red line up in Detroit, Michigan, I'm pretty sure. But now yeah, Redline, the show from MCM last year was awesome. I keep on talking to people about that moment when everything was super quiet. And then the quad drummer, I forget his name, but he just started screaming. That was such a crazy moment. I loved that. Yeah. How far is that a regional for you guys?
00:40:46
Speaker
Last year, I was commuting from Gainesville, Florida, and I think it was about eight, nine hours. it was It was very long. Yeah, I thought it. I was like, that seems like it would be a long way to go. Yeah. Collette, I just remembered you're at MCM. You can remind me. is What's his name, Michael?
00:41:05
Speaker
Yes, Michael. That was a really odd cast before. So yes, I needed to remember. Yeah. He was on and we did a performer spotlight with him, I think maybe like two years ago, actually would have been a while ago. But, uh, yeah, he's cool. He's a good guy. That was an amazing moment. What are you excited for? Collette? I think as I kind of mentioned earlier, I'm the most excited to share this project we've been working on. And especially for our last sequences, I know that at least here at Mystique for our front ensemble, the lot tunes that we put together to share with everyone. Even though we aren't in this big arena surrounded by thousands of people, it's a little bit more of an intimate setting. And we get to look out into the audience and look in at each other and just kind of have this aura that we get to share with everyone else. And I think that's the most special part. That's what I'm looking forward to the most. We have a local show coming up pretty soon in a few weekends, and then we'll be joining
00:42:00
Speaker
Infinity and a couple of other groups at the WGI Atlanta Regional in Indianapolis. In Indianapolis. Nice. I wonder what regionals we're going to, Shawn. I don't even really know. Probably like Trumbull. Yeah, I don't know either. i I think there was like talk about, yeah, I don't know what's decided yet. There's talk about like, like, I don't i don't think one of the shows that we used to do or doing, I don't even know. I have no idea.
00:42:25
Speaker
what's up ah for us. we We're we still, I think there's a lot of things that are kind of, every group is probably still kind of like setting the yeah know setting the schedule. gearing it down Things are adjusting and we're in that like, it's above our pay grade. We just kind of show up. We show up and teach the block beats. so Yeah. Show up. I clean the beats. That's my one job.
00:42:48
Speaker
ah Jacob, what are you looking forward to? ah Sounds like just like the other two. I can't wait to perform. We've got a really cool project we're working on this year. We, I know we just got our orders in for our uniforms. I can't wait to try them on. They are so beautiful. I can't wait for everyone to see them at our premiere show in a week and a half. Oh man. You feeling ready? Oh yeah, of course. Oh yeah. Nice. I'm gonna have to check that out. You guys usually put on a live stream for that, right? I believe so. Yeah. We also have a ticket sales online. Those are up.
00:43:27
Speaker
So it's on February 2nd at Vista Marietta. Nice. Cool. Yeah, we'll have to check that out. Everybody listening should check it out too because Broken City puts on a great show and they drum good. Antonio, what are you looking forward to?
00:43:39
Speaker
ah Yeah, I kind of the same answer is performing this show it's way different than anything I've done before but mostly I'm really excited to perform always in like the circuit here because there's only two world-class ensembles in Colorado as Jacob knows us and rise so and we have like a super big impact on the Colorado community because the whole marching arts isn't very big here. So trying to expand that and just having that influence is really nice and I really love doing that for everybody here. Nice. Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing what all of you guys put out this ah next couple of weeks here. It's about time that we're going to go from like knowing nothing to like knowing, I wouldn't want to say knowing plenty because most everyone's show is really still coming together and evolving all the way up to and through date and week.
00:44:27
Speaker
But just to start to see like, what are we doing? What's happening this year is going to be so exciting. It's like a drummer Christmas. So I would love to hear about any goals that you've each set for yourselves for this upcoming season. We're all musicians. We're all getting better constantly. And for all of our different instruments, I'm sure there's like different little intricate things that you know, like skill sets or whatever that you're trying to do. Or maybe you just want to become a more natural performer.
00:44:54
Speaker
ah Why don't we go around the horn and and tell us about any goals that you have for the year? Jacob, do you want to get us started? Yeah, I got it. Really, my goals is here, um especially like living out somewhere new. I really wanted to eat well and stay fit. Those were big things that I think would be really impactful for my season here at Broken City.
00:45:15
Speaker
As you know, like we're doing some crazy visual stuff. So we got to stay strong. And so I picked up cooking recently before I came here. So I've been eating well. Food's tasting good.
00:45:30
Speaker
Yeah, dude, it's actually funny that you say that because as base five, it really is like a fierce biological like you got to build your body up for this thing. maya My base five at United is like I've got him for his video assignments. He has to hit the gym and like submit videos of him hitting curls and reverse curls. Dude, does he actually does 100 pushups every day that we have united.
00:45:57
Speaker
And if he doesn't complete his hundred, it turns into push-up debt for the next day of United. And let me tell you this, this man is not in debt. He's been hitting all of his push-ups every day. Base five is a different beast. So yeah, you gotta eat healthy, you gotta stay strong. I think that's a perfect goal for you to have as base five at Broken City. Antonio, what's your goal looking like?
00:46:22
Speaker
Well, I touched on earlier just like the whole etiquette thing, but like for myself personally, I'm pretty reserved. So ah performing has always been really hard for me, but this show they're demanding us like we need to perform like 100% of the show or else it it won't be good enough. So getting into that mindset for every single rep is what I'm working towards right now.
00:46:42
Speaker
And then ah technically, my laterals need to get better, so my insides aren't coming out as evenly as my outsides. So just that. Nice. Yeah, I wish that I could offer some good advice about those laterals. Perhaps Sean could, but I will not be your guy on those laterals. Just got your method of movement book, man. Just got to get into that Lee Stevens book. um just I mean, that may work. That probably will help. but word. Well, good luck with all that, man, especially the performing thing. I think that like, ah you know, it helps to be in like your third year because it's kind of, to me, it's always hard. You can't focus on performing while you're focusing on playing clean. So playing clean has to become second nature. And then that's the place where you can focus on performing because you don't have to focus on playing clean.
00:47:34
Speaker
So I feel like now as you're in a third year member, like this is your opportunity to free up that mental real estate and really focus on developing yourself as that performer. Vic, what's a goal that you have for yourself this year? One goal that I set for myself this year is just to leave the season feeling like super proud of what we put on the floor. Nice. Just you know having been everything set and feeling good when we finally get to date in and just, yeah.
00:48:04
Speaker
That's actually I love that. That's like a perfect, all encompassing goal. Because if you feel good about everything that you done when you got off the floor, then you did all you need to do. That's that's, and really, it's kind of very mature to for like, sorry, how old are you again? I'm 20.
00:48:24
Speaker
20. Yeah. But even for anyone like performing at performance age to recognize that like, Hey, we're not all going to win. Like at the end of the day, you just have to know that like, you're happy with your season and you did everything that you could do to be as good as you can be. So if you walk out the floor and that's how you feel, it is mission accomplished. That's a perfect goal for you to have. yeah Thank you. Colette, what's your goal? I think this season, especially I've had to try and prioritize myself. Definitely.
00:48:53
Speaker
Mystique and that environment is definitely one where if you show up doing what you need to do, there is a wonderful staff and a great support system that'll get you where you need to be. But that first part initially where you just have to be able to show up and put your best foot forward, that's definitely, that can be a struggle, especially whenever you have, or like myself, I have trouble to think about, I have school to think about and throwing practice time into that. and And just like self-care time into that can be a little bit challenging sometimes. That's definitely something I'm trying to prioritize. Who's got time for self-care time? Self-care time is for when you're on the highway traveling into Nashville.
00:49:33
Speaker
Don't do what I did. I flew to, uh, when I was 10 hours away from X in 2022, instead of driving, I flew every weekend and I don't recommend that. That's what it's going to look like for me pretty soon. You're going to be doing it. It's OK. Yes, it's a challenging drive. It's hard. It's lucky. I think that the drive would have been probably worse for a different set of reasons. But the ah the flying one is interesting. You're going to it's going to be partly exciting. You'll feel like a jet setter. But it's also a lot of time spent sleeping overnight.
00:50:08
Speaker
typically it was my experience in the airport because I would try to catch like the cheap flight and the cheap flight is the one where you leave the terminal and sleep on a bench outside of the TSA and then get on the like 4 a.m. flight the next morning. so I hope that you have a little bit better luck with your flight selection than I did. Hopefully those red eyes are hard.
00:50:31
Speaker
but Yeah. All right. Well, here's what I want to hear. You don't have to answer, but if anyone has maybe three or five vague words about your show, you could be as vague as you want. I might say United show is exciting, but does anyone have anything that they want to share with us about their show this upcoming year? Oh, Anthony has that one.
00:50:56
Speaker
It's not really for like the show itself, but I thought it'd be fun to say that we got and our new floor is massive. I'm pretty sure our staff said it's as big as we can like legally have on the floor. that's See, that's cool. I like that. That's not saying too much, but that gets the people going. I'm excited to hear about this, man. and I'm excited to see what you guys get up to. Do we have any other teasers? You really don't have to. Don't feel pressured.
00:51:23
Speaker
I will say, get excited for the Broken City show this year. I would say, very angsty. Oh, okay. I like that from Broken City, man. A little bit of that in there. Dude, I'm always, well, to be right to be honest, I'd have been excited regardless, but now you've got me excited. Vic, Colette, we're going to wait to hear more about your shows in about two weeks, I think.
00:51:51
Speaker
let's Let's get back out onto the floor here. Our guest clinicians actually need to get into some sectional time.
00:52:07
Speaker
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00:52:29
Speaker
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00:52:42
Speaker
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00:52:54
Speaker
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00:53:17
Speaker
All right, everyone, we are starting a new segment called 60 Second Tech Block. And each week, one of our hosts or guest clinicians is going to be forced to give a 60 second tech session with the section needing it the most after the last run. So basically, our special tech this week has to choose three topics that they think they can give a 60 seconds nonstop speech about and maybe help some people out there along the way. And this week, Sean McWilliams is our guest clinician.
00:53:46
Speaker
Sean, you said that your best topics were the many hats of a band director, tuning the timpani properly, or pushing instruments up the ramp at the UD Arena. So, everyone on the call, what do we think that Sean should talk about? Pushing equipment at the UD Arena. Yeah, that one. I agree, that sounds really interesting.
00:54:08
Speaker
All right, that's what you get, Sean. i'm like Jacob, I think ah you've got a clock ready for us, right? You want to get a little revenge for that 32 count life story? yeah Jacob's got me. All right. Here you go, Sean. He's got you. All right. Three, two, one. 60 seconds, 10 blocks. All right. So, oh my God. 50 seconds, 10 blocks!
00:54:33
Speaker
pushing instruments up the UD Dayton arena. our My oldest memory, I'll just tell you a story to start this out. My oldest memory, I remember carrying literally two timpani, one in either pulling them by their struts one hand at a time and having people push from behind me up and then literally putting them off to the side, bringing them back down, which is like literally like almost a vertical drop, and then graing grabbing the other two. That was when I was in a ah freshman in high school. I remember that. I remember literally the other the tech i remember I remember the tech that was helping, Amanda West was helping me. and She was like- 15 seconds. We were both about to have a heart attack. Every every other time, I've had like five or six people help me and grab, like maybe would literally maybe, dude, maybe Stephen helped me when I when i was. like we were He would probably be carrying a bass drum and a prop in one hand and then like a timpani. 60 seconds, 6 o'clock. Yeah, literally the most rush- 50 seconds, 10 o'clock. ... wheels afterwards are awesome.
00:55:33
Speaker
Oh, the orange peas are huge after. So I guess the moral of the story is have friends. If you need to push equipment up the UD arena, yeah you better have friends. Make sure, especially when you're, you gotta, you gotta think strategically here. If you're a timpanist, if you got a synth, like, cart, or if you got, like, you know, if you got put on prop duty, you need a, you need a hand. You never know when some drum set cart guy could possibly hold your stuff for you. You never know, you know.
00:56:04
Speaker
Yeah, you got to take that opportunistic help, man, ah because you ain't pushing that big thing up the ah tunnel yourself. I doubt that. All right. Well, Sean, great job with that one. That was a fun new bit. I'm excited to see how we ah get into that one more as a these episodes go on here. But I think it's a good time. Let's get into my favorite segment, The Water We Doings.
00:56:26
Speaker
what are we doing
00:56:36
Speaker
What are we doing? All right. So ah you guys might be new to the show. Not sure if you've heard it before or not. So I'll do the first, what are we doing? That way we get a a, I can give a good example. You guys can see how it works. So for me, I was thinking back to shows last year and I want to say, what are we doing strobing the audience to such a degree of intensity that while we're setting up on the floor,
00:57:01
Speaker
We have to make all of our TVs put up signs that have seizure warnings and say, maybe you shouldn't watch this show if if you have epilepsy. That's not what we're in the arena for. We're here to just watch a program.
00:57:19
Speaker
you know I'm not gonna name names, although that was a very obvious call out to you know anyone that would know the show I'm referring to. But just turn them around, man. There's no one on the other side of the arena. You don't need to strobe the audience. ah I'm okay with calling it out. I thought it was obnoxious. I don't think anyone should do it again. So what are we doing strobing the audience to such a degree that it could create a medical emergency in the arena?
00:57:49
Speaker
But yeah, why don't we pop in here? Uh, let's see, Sean, do you got a water we doing for us? This water we're doing almost needs what I'm about to ask for. So media training, how do how do I put this? You know, we, we don't get media training, but it comes to talking about our show. So if you have a show and you, you maybe, maybe you're trying, I mean, I see it. There's two ways. You can take an angle like you're trying to be mysterious and not necessarily talk about your show. There's another angle where you can be, okay, I'm going to advertise the crap out of my show and then tell everything every single detail so that more people come.
00:58:25
Speaker
Um, and check it out. So, you know, I think, I think we need to be a little, we need a little more attention to how do you handle that as a member of staff member? If you're at a high school level, do you do that? Do you even take an approach? Do you even acknowledge taking approach at the high school level? Cause this is again, an educational activity. Ultimately for, especially for high school kind of, kind of ensemble, you know, this needs to be for the students first and foremost. So is, is media training something that we even consider for students?
00:58:54
Speaker
at the high school level. Maybe more of a relevant sort of concept at the at the independent ensemble level because this is these are like performance groups that are creating a product and maybe even you know people are going and paying WGI just to see them.
00:59:11
Speaker
But, you know, it's interesting. it but It actually is a really good idea. it's It's sorely needed even up through the professional level. I just had a run in with this at Eagles Drumline like last week, which it's funny. Even Eagles Drumline, I'm like tiptoeing in murky waters here by like talking about it. When we had a news gig, the ah because the Eagles are doing quite well, Go Birds. We had a gig on the Friday morning news in Philly.
00:59:38
Speaker
and I was out there as playing some bass drum. We get done and the ah newscaster turns and he puts the mic in my face and he's like, so what's going to happen on Sunday? And I was like, Oh, the birds got this. And then when I got out of the, uh, the gig immediately, the leader of the drum line, he was like, yo, you can't say we're going to win. You can't say what's going to happen. Can't say and you got to be way more like we're excited for the game.
01:00:09
Speaker
at 4 30 pm on sunday at the link so yeah so you gotta turn your robot on for a hot second and be like i'm uh You gotta, you gotta, you gotta filter that question through AI first, I think. I thought I would be telling the company line by saying, you know, birds got this. But yeah, now a little bit of. I bleed green. Nope. You cannot. I wear green. I wear green. No bleeding. No bleeding. No bleeding.
01:00:40
Speaker
So a little bit of media training, I think would have gone a long way for me to all the way still today. So I think you're on to something Sean. Um, but all right. It seems like we might be getting the idea here now. Um, Colette, do you have a ah water we do in, you know, just anything in the marching arts that you think like, you know, why do we do that? We could do better. I have been thinking about this one recently, especially coming, preparing for our upcoming show. What are we doing with the,
01:01:09
Speaker
two to five seconds scramble before we get off the floor. I know we have a certain amount of time set for us to get on and off so we can keep things flowing. And I know the length of shows kind of accounts for that time, but especially last year with just so many so many things going on, and even in my high school groups, in my high school group.
01:01:28
Speaker
the show it in there would be that like five seconds you're looking up it's like the best the best time of your life you're so proud of everything and then there's just chaos ensuing for like the next 30 seconds and then your quads are burning and then you're pushing up this crazy ramp what are it's the quickest turnaround i've ever seen probably the biggest vibe change ever of like highest high to like oh my goodness this is the hardest push of my life this is so stressful
01:01:55
Speaker
10 more seconds. I think it would make it so much easier. So so much easier. Yeah, I think you're right. Actually, there needs to be a way that we could tell the line where we're like, uh, you're not allowed to make your shows longer. That's not what this is for. You're not supposed to take longer setting up or anything. Just like these additional 15 seconds are for you to just chill for a second and not like have to go run around. And it almost like takes you out of it a little, even as a performer, takes me out of the moment. Someone says break, and then you like get the Pavlov dog response and just start running towards side two.
01:02:30
Speaker
like crazy. Jacob, do you got a water we doing for us? I do. and So what are we doing not physically preparing for the winter season? um I mean, you should be go summer as well. But, um you know, having my goals being like eating well, staying fit, like, I believe that has like really helped me this season. um I think If I had come in to Broken City like marching a large bass drum that I'm you know not used to, I marched a much smaller one for three years, so going on to a 28-inch was a big change for me. um But physically preparing and having a lot of help with that.
01:03:14
Speaker
um has helped me so much like Broken City right now is a partnership with Forte athletics if you've seen online. oh nice um I believe Forte athletics is doing something with infinity as well and a few other groups. We do all that we can to perform at our peak. Yeah, no, that's actually it's a great point, man. Because like, ah it's funny to me, everyone always likes to talk about how the marching arts are a sport. And you know, I don't disagree. But if you're one to proclaim that the marching arts are a sport, you should treat yourself like an athlete treats themselves. You should eat well, and you should exercise. yeah you interact the activity We are athletes. Exactly. Yeah, but not everyone treats themselves like one.
01:03:56
Speaker
It's nice to hear that you're out there and you're taking good care of yourself, man. That'll pay dividends as you get towards the end of the season. Antonio, do you got a water we doing? Yeah, I do. So as instructors, what are we doing? Given comments that last five minutes during rehearsal. Like if it's a, if it's a small thing, like, Hey, your hands were uneven at this part, just go ti up to your students, say, Hey, your hands aren't even right here. Bring one up, find the middle ground, something you don't have to go on a whole big rant on.
01:04:24
Speaker
the philosophy of the anatomy of your hands and why they need to look exactly the same and the approach and all this stuff. Just keep the comments quick and simple. It keeps the rehearsal running. It keeps the students engaged. I don't know. I'm really frustrated with people who will find the need to talk about all this other stuff when it's as simple as Fix this one thing I think especially the independent level the performers know if they mess up something super small They don't really need that reminder of that kind of thing So either don't say it or keep it like as sure as possible I don't I think it was for to athletics actually who said try to keep your comments to like within one breath And I actually really like that as an instructor. Yeah, no, that's a very good rule of thumb way to look at it. I philosophy as I'm teaching United. I feel like my responsibility is to make sure that the right reps are occurring and that we're getting good when we're repping is like how I feel as a tech. And, you know, everyone's got their own approach. Everyone does it how it feels right to them.
01:05:27
Speaker
But I'm right with you. I, uh, I like to keep them working. And when I give a comment, I want to give the comment straight up the gut. You get the info you need and we're going to get back to work, you know, right there with you. And Vic, last but not least, do you have a water we doing for us?
01:05:43
Speaker
Yes. What are we doing making props so big? It is a logistical nightmare for trucks. You gotta have more trucks to move it and sometimes when they're so big it could put performers in danger and I think we should reconsider that a little bit.
01:06:00
Speaker
Yeah, no, you're you're definitely right. And funnily enough, there are some new WGI rules that like affect the safety of the performers as it comes to prop size. I know that just because like as we're united this year, we're like certain somewhat limited in certain things that we can actually do with our props because now we know like this year, this is a penalty.
01:06:23
Speaker
like, we have this prop, we like it, but we can't do that with it, you know, like stuff that we would have wanted to do maybe in years past. The activity is hopefully wisely maybe moving away from a little bit. Just find a different what be a better designer and a different way like to like go
01:06:45
Speaker
All right. Gush and go is nice and quick and easy. You just get about 60 seconds. Uh, go on about whatever you want. Uh, something that's important to you. It doesn't even really need to be band related or it can be band related if you want to, but this is your chance to gush and go on about whatever you want. Uh, Sean, you want to get us started with the gush and go? Yeah, my gush and go here. I'm going to get ready. Let's go. Sorry. That was a bad joke.
01:07:10
Speaker
You know what? I'm sorry. Hard cut. Hard cut. No, no. I can't see the light of day ever. That was so bad. I should be um we're keeping out on fire after that. Okay. Here we go. Here's my gushing go. Okay, so my gushing go.
01:07:26
Speaker
I'm in love with and also always battling the need to improve my ability to like convey the needs of of a good, high-quality music ensemble. And and and of course, coming at first in first place every single time is the student and ah and the person. and then the the student person the you know the the the the core of of what you're teaching and then and then and then everything else. The practice skills, how how to how to and to be motivated to do what you want to do or to do what what we need to do in band as a group and what we decide to do, whether it's setting culture or or or just establishing establishing like group goals. you know i i just It's important to me. It's my beast to kill this or to to to defeat this this year.
01:08:16
Speaker
And just, I mean, it's kind of like as a first year teacher, it's kind of what i'm what I've got going on. I think you're going to figure it out, man. You're a good educator and you're a good musician. The kids are, I'm sure they're going to come around to it and just as you get more time in there, you're going to get comfortable. Yeah. and i i They like me, I think, I hope. i said I said something slaps today. I was like, this piece slaps and they're like, what the heck did you just say? And I'm like, my generation made that word, stop it.
01:08:45
Speaker
I'm not I'm not too old to use that word. I've made that word stop. That's so funny of that They're like thinking that you're too old to use like any particular like Gen Z slang. We all have the internet Do they think I was in my late 30s? I'm like guys I'm like are they high schoolers? Yeah, they're high schoolers. I'm like Gen Z. I know I'm like we're like I eight years apart, man, like at the very, very, okay, maybe like my two years, eight years apart. That's funny. So I'm like, all right, let's let yeah let's keep them on moving here. Let's get into these other gushing goes. But yeah, dude, you're gonna, you're gonna do just fine. Just don't rock the boat too much. And you'll be just fine. Collette, what do you ah want to gush and go on about? I think something that's very personal to me right now, and I kind of mentioned earlier is just making sure, and this is my advice. ah
01:09:35
Speaker
other people who are trying to split their time as well between school life and travel and keeping up with an indoor drumline, like work schedule, is just to make sure that you have that list of priorities of ah of what's important to you and how to how to keep yourself in check and how to be there to support others. I think lately, it but like especially since music isn't a part of my academic life, I'm at Tulane University in New Orleans, 10 hours away from Nashville.
01:10:02
Speaker
pursuing a degree in cell engineering. So I'm completely on the opposite side of of um this music world whenever I come back to New Orleans during the week. So I kind of have to be able to flip that switch on and off whenever I get there so I can express my creative side, but also still be willing to put in the work. And at the top of all of this is just like self care. And I feel like that's something that a lot of times The further you get into the season, the lower that kind of gets pushed down the rink because you're trying to make this happen and you're trying to make these grades come out how you want to. I think the it's my my advice and my what I could talk about forever is just making sure that you have that list of priorities set in your mind of what you want to accomplish within a day and what you can accomplish within 24 hours. and if it And if it can't happen, there's another day tomorrow and another one after that.
01:10:54
Speaker
and just to make sure make sure to keep that all in check and keep that moving in order to have the best season possible and not to burn yourself out too quickly. And really that's like a a life skill that'll be applicable way beyond your years in a drumline because I've been struggling with that lately just in my professional life.
01:11:13
Speaker
really, really letting it bleed outside of the work hours and forgetting what's possible within a 24 hour day. Really? I'm not the one that's forgetting my boss and my, uh, I'll stop, I'll stop there. They're the ones that maybe forget what's possible. They're not going to listen to this. They're not, or maybe they will. Maybe, maybe the corporate finance world will enjoy on a water break.
01:11:41
Speaker
All right, Jacob, what are you guessing and going on about? So, I actually recently picked up baking as well, on like to go alongside cooking. So, I've been having a lot of fun with that. It seems like like my staple right now is cookies. So, okay it's great to like... I love to try out some new cookies, but I've been making these really good ones lately. And ah I love cooking on the weekends, like being here at the house with everyone. like We have some people like come over for the weekend like after a rehearsal, so I make some cookies. We all have some cookies, go to bed. That's dope. umm just what ah What cookie are you making? ah So my good ones right now.
01:12:21
Speaker
Um, the chocolate chip, I, those are really good. I have a really good chocolate chunk recipe and, uh, I call them like these cinnamon roll cookies, but they're like cinnamon oatmeal white chocolate, like really good.
01:12:37
Speaker
Those sound incredible. I'm about book a flight. Oh, that's awesome, man. You keep having fun with that and keep
Memorable Times and Mental Health Balance
01:12:44
Speaker
rocking and rolling. I remember like some of the most fun I've ever had in band was, uh, at X after rehearsal.
01:12:51
Speaker
at my buddy's apartment in Ohio where we are living for six months. you know That's a blast. Enjoy it. Vic, what do you want to gush and go on about? I'd love to gush and go.
01:13:07
Speaker
ah Definitely check out all three infinity groups this season. They all have really great stuff going on. Also a little bit like mental health and burnout are so important during the season. I know Colette talked about it a little bit, but it can really eat the life out of you. So being able to balance you know you're your mental health and then all the music stuff you're going on is so important.
01:13:30
Speaker
And if you need a graphic designer for your show merch or anything else, come hit me up. I'm happy to do anything for your your ensemble. Jeremy, every now and then our friend Jeremy is interested in such things. So I'm sure if not him, someone out there should definitely hit you up. Awesome. And Antonio, what do you want to gush and go on about?
Opportunities and Achievements in Music
01:13:56
Speaker
Yes, so everyone knows that like blue knight strum of yule core That's like a whole big thing and then I think a lot of people know about the indoor percussion ensemble But uh, I think a lot of people don't know that we now have an open class percussion ensemble Oh really? Yeah, we brought it back last year Nice. There's no plans to go to Dayton as far as I know anytime soon. But I think it'd be cool for everybody to like go check them out on YouTube and throughout the season to see if there's videos posts and everything. Their show last year it was pretty cool. I thought it was really good. And just like I think open class ensembles and like lower levels independent groups are really important for just like the activity as a whole because you can't just jump to world class. Yeah.
01:14:35
Speaker
So that'd be nice to give them a little shout out. Go check them out and then I'll give, you know, I'll give shots or to rise as well. Other group in Colorado that we talked about before. Just yeah. Check out everybody. Nice dude. That's cool. Uh, thanks for raising awareness of that group. Cause I did was not aware that it existed. So we will definitely check it out. Hey, it's called gush and go not gush and stay. Let's go.
01:15:00
Speaker
Jeremy didn't even let me hit my gush and go birds. Can't believe it. Unbelievable. Go birds. I'm so pumped. So pumped. but That's my quick gush and go. Uh, base drum is led to me to the point where I will be paid to go play base drum at my favorite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles at the NFC championship home game this Sunday.
01:15:22
Speaker
All the time, I'm like, I can't believe that bass drum led me here. It's like insane. There is a whole world of marching percussion that you can get into after you age out. Does not end when you age out. All right.
01:15:35
Speaker
Cool. So if you got a question or you got a good topic to talk about, email us at onawaterbreakpodcastatgmail.com, or you could find us on social media and DM us if you want to be on the show. but We even have a form now to fill out if you want to be a guest. Thanks for a great rehearsal, guys. And this week, what a great start to season three that we've had so far. So thank you to our hosts. Thank you, Sean. Thank you to our guest clinicians this week and good luck with your season.
01:16:01
Speaker
Tell us where you can go find us on socials.
Engagement and New Platforms for the Podcast
01:16:04
Speaker
Collette, do you want to start and let us know where our listeners could find you? Of course, my answer is Collette Lyman. And of course, you can see me on the Music City Mystique Instagram page as well. Awesome. Jacob, what about you? Yeah, I'm on Instagram, just jacob.win underscore. And you can also find me on broken city percussion and broken city bass. Nice, very nice. Antonio, where could they find you?
01:16:31
Speaker
Yeah, my Instagram is broncobeast1031. um If you want to watch my practice account, it's just Antonio underscore practice. And then of course the blue nights percussion ensemble page. Nice. I like that digging into the Broncos just like I dig into the birds. And Vic, where could they find you?
01:16:53
Speaker
You can find me at fic and slur on Instagram and also the infinity percussion page on Instagram and the infinite front page as well. Very nice. All right, everybody, go check them out, please. If you've got a question or a good topic to talk about, you could email us at onawaterbreakpodcastatgmail.com or find us on social media and DM us if you want to be on the show. We even have a form now that you could fill out if you want to be a guest. We love having people on the podcast, so check it out at our link in the bio on our social media. Or you could just take out your phone, you can make a video, you can send it to us, and you might see yourself on the podcast soon.
01:17:32
Speaker
ah One more thing, don't forget we have our own YouTube channel now, and it's got many of our interviews as full video editions. ah Make sure you go check it out and subscribe. You don't want to miss the content that we have going up there. And ah before you close out your podcast listening app, please subscribe, write us a review, and share it with a friend. ah Follow us on social media at On a Water Break, and we will see you at the next rehearsal on a water break.
01:17:58
Speaker
The On A Water Break podcast was produced by Jeremy Williams and Christine Ream. The intro and outro music was produced by Josh Lyda. To learn more, visit LydaMusic.com. And until next time, thanks for tuning in.
01:18:17
Speaker
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