Marching Band Ejected, Blessed Sacrament Turns 90 & Program Coordinator Responsibilities | OAWB S4EP41

On A Water Break Podcast | S4EP44Marching band, color guard and winter guard news with Cynthia Bernard, Dalton Stout and Jeremy Svoboda. Two Oklahoma State Cowboy Marching Band members were injured by objects thrown from the stands, Independence High School's 76th Cavalry Marching Band and Color Guard in San Jose was suspended, and the panel remembers Patrick Stewart's 2006 appearance with the University of Michigan Marching Band. Dalton's 60 Second Tech Block covers technique in character, while Water We Doing?! explores mentorship, whether younger winter guards are being pushed into A Class too soon, and inconsistent marching band classifications. Gush & Go celebrates the start of winter guard season, student resilience, and creating programs around the performers you actually have.CHAPTERS00:00 Cold Open and Episode Preview00:57 Welcome and Marching Arts News01:32 San Jose Marching Band Suspension02:33 Remembering Patrick Stewart and Michigan Marching Band04:07 Oklahoma State Marching Band Injuries05:29 Catch Up on Recent Episodes07:58 60 Second Tech Block09:13 Technique in Character with Dalton Stout10:16 Building Performance Into Fundamentals14:36 Water We Doing?!15:00 Asking for Mentorship and Support19:29 A Class vs. Regional A25:55 Inconsistent Marching Band Classifications30:32 Gush & Go30:52 Excitement for Winter Guard Season31:38 Student Resilience32:41 Finding the Right Creative Process37:26 Join the Conversation37:43 Subscribe, Share and ClosingORIGINAL NEWS AND RESOURCESSan Jose: Independence High School's 76th Cavalry program suspension. No specific cause has been independently established. NBC Bay Area reporting.Patrick Stewart: Remembering the actor and his appearance with the Michigan Marching Band. Associated Press obituary | University Musical Society historical archive.Oklahoma State: Injuries to Cowboy Marching Band members and the university's security response. The Big Lead reporting.PREVIOUS EPISODES MENTIONEDS4EP40: Mandarins, Gold and Battalion Join DCI World ClassS4EP41: Grimsley Marching Band ControversyS4EP43: Evanston Band Harassment ReportsON THE SIDELINESCynthia Bernard: @cynthiabernDalton Stout: @saltydaltiJeremy Svoboda, Associate Producer: @drumcorpstodayPRESENTED BY GUARD CLOSETGuard Closet — flags, costumes, uniforms, equipment and marching arts solutions.EXPLORE ON A WATER BREAKOfficial WebsiteAll EpisodesMarching Arts NewsListen Everywhere and SubscribeMeet the Hosts and Production TeamJoin Us — Be a Guest, Host or Contributor; Submit News and TopicsFOLLOW AND CONTACTYouTube | Instagram | TikTokNews, questions and ideas: [email protected]

Marching band, color guard and winter guard news: Two stories from the marching arts community take center stage this week. At Evanston Township High School, marching band and color guard members report racist and homophobic harassment during a football game against New Trier, prompting an investigation. At the University of Pittsburgh, 18-year-old Dante Dew is making history as the first male member of the Golden Girls baton-twirling squad.Whitney Stone, Ricardo Robinson-Shinall and Sadie Wallace discuss what accountability should look like for the Evanston students and celebrate Dante's milestone alongside the history of male baton twirlers and rifle lines. Plus, Bands of America regional results from Waco, St. Louis, Memphis and California, WGI's 2027 Future Leaders Program, and new pep band competitions. Ricardo tackles upside-down color guard flags in the 60 Second Tech Block, then takes aim at unnecessary props in Water We Doing?!CHAPTERS: 00:00 Preview | 01:05 Welcome | 01:37 Evanston Band Reports Harassment | 08:02 WGI Future Leaders | 10:41 BOA Regional Results | 15:49 Pitt's Golden Guy | 21:51 Pep Band Competitions | 27:13 Previously on OAWB | 32:29 Guard Closet | 34:09 60 Second Tech Block | 36:56 Upside-Down Flags | 44:48 Water We Doing?! | 54:40 Gush & Go | 1:02:06 ClosingHOSTS: Whitney Stone (@dancerwhit), Ricardo Robinson-Shinall (@ricardorrobinson), Sadie Wallace (@m.sadiewallace). Associate Producer: Jeremy Williams.SOURCES: Evanston/New Trier: https://www.newtrier.k12.il.us/p/~board/homepage-news/post/joint-statement-from-eths-and-nths | Pitt's Golden Guy: https://www.post-gazette.com/life/goodness/2026/10/19/pitt-golden-girls-baton-twirlers-marching-band-dante-dew/stories/202610130023 | BOA: https://marching.musicforall.org/ | WGI: https://www.wgi.org/futureleaders/ | Varsity: https://www.varsity.com/performing-arts/pep-band-regional-competitions/Presented by Guard Closet: https://www.guardcloset.com/ | Listen: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/links | News: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/news | Team: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/team | Join: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/join-us | Follow @onawaterbreak, subscribe and share.

2027 WGI Percussion & Winds Preview | S4EP42Stephen McCarrick, Garrett Lippie and Bill “Woody” Woodward break down the 2027 WGI indoor season: 50th anniversary ceremonies, RCC/United/IMPACT/Atlanta Quest staffing, Infinity 2 and Obsidian Winds class moves, Pulse/Blue Devils connections, Winds rule changes and the Grimsley band story. Plus: respect for rehearsal facilities, member fitness, and Gush & Go.Chapters (source-transcript times; confirm against final edit): 00:00 Intro; 01:17 Welcome; 04:03 WGI history series; 07:50 Garrett’s segment-name debate; 08:25 Woody joins; 13:37 News; 14:04 WGI 50 ceremony; 15:05 RCC; 17:43 United; 27:01 IMPACT; 29:24 Atlanta Quest; 31:37 Infinity 2; 32:37 Pulse/Blue Devils; 35:07 WGI entries; 36:09 Obsidian Winds; 37:04 Winds updates; 40:45 Grimsley follow-up; 49:45 Water We Doing; 01:00:17 Member fitness; 01:05:04 Gush & Go; 01:09:44 Wrap-up.On mic: Stephen @stephenmccarrick • Garrett @g_lippie27 • Woody @remoking100. AP: Devin Rossey @devvvie96. Produced by Jeremy Williams and Christine Ream. Theme music: Josh Lyda.Presented by Guard Closet: guardcloset.com • @guardclosetOAWB: Listen everywhere • News • Hosts • Join us • @onawaterbreak • [email protected] sources: WGI 50 • RCC staff • United staff • Stephen/United • IMPACT • Atlanta Quest • Infinity • Blue Devils • Pulse • Obsidian • WGI Winds rules • Entries • Grimsley reporting.The Grimsley segment includes attributed accounts that differ; details not independently confirmed by OAWB are described as claims.

A marching band kicked out of a football game for playing music? Grimsley Senior High School's band was escorted out of a game against Varina in Virginia following a disagreement about playing while the ball was in play. Ashlee Amos, Bill “Woody” Woodward, Bobbey Biddle and Hayley Harrington discuss what happened and where the line falls between football rules and band traditions.In more marching arts news: a West Jordan police officer helps Tooele High School's marching band after an equipment trailer breaks down on I-80; Blessed Sacrament celebrates its 90th anniversary; and Music for All names Holly Blake, Matthew B. Carter, Cheryl Floyd and Dan Potter to its 2027 Hall of Fame class.60-Second Tech Block: Woody tackles program coordinators, staff responsibilities, communication, budgets and program leadership. Water We Doing?! Why aren't more contests under the lights? Why so much Phantom of the Opera? Is fluttering replacing traditional drill? And are educators juggling too many teaching seasons? Plus Gush & Go.Chapters00:00 Preview00:56 Welcome01:45 Tooele Band Trailer Breakdown04:14 Grimsley Band Removed from Football Game11:47 Blessed Sacrament Turns 9015:10 Music for All Hall of Fame16:37 Previously on OAWB18:09 Guard Closet19:47 60-Second Tech Block21:50 What Does a Program Coordinator Do?23:55 Leadership & Accountability28:29 Budgets & Staff31:34 Communication34:57 Mentorship & Hiring41:50 Water We Doing?!42:23 Performing Under the Lights52:32 Phantom of the Opera58:49 Fluttering vs. Traditional Drill1:05:52 Teaching Multiple Seasons1:13:45 Gush & Go1:13:58 Bobbey1:20:18 Hayley1:25:07 Woody1:28:26 Ashlee1:31:19 CloseHosts: Ashlee Amos (@famousamossss_), Bill “Woody” Woodward (@remoking100), Bobbey Biddle (@bobbey107), Hayley Harrington (@h_harrington14).Sources:Grimsley — FOX8/WGHP syndicated report: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/grimsley-marching-band-kicked-high-150524211.htmlTooele — original KJZZ URL pending verification.Blessed Sacrament — https://www.wgi.org/blessedsacrament90/Music for All — https://musicforall.org/2027-hall-of-fame-inductees/Presented by Guard Closet: https://www.guardcloset.com/ (@guardcloset)On A Water Break: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/ | Listen: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/links | News: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/news | Team: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/team | Join: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/join-us | @onawaterbreakRelated: S4EP40 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtQreB75ItY

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.DCI’s 2027 World Class field is getting bigger. Chris Rutt, Grantis Peranda and Jeremy Svoboda break down the Mandarins’ approved return after a one-year hiatus and Gold and The Battalion moving from Open Class into DCI World Class beginning in 2027.The panel also remembers longtime Drum Corps World publisher and DCI Hall of Fame member Steve Vickers. Grantis takes the 60 Second Tech Block with practical fall color guard costuming advice: choose something that serves the show, survives the field, fits performers well and helps them feel confident. Water We Doing?! tackles recycled and overcomplicated show concepts, copyright and licensing frustrations, and performing in extreme weather.CHAPTERS00:00 DCI 2027 Headlines00:41 Welcome + News01:17 Mandarins Return to DCI03:08 Remembering Steve Vickers07:10 Gold + The Battalion Join World Class12:52 What You May Have Missed14:29 Guard Closet16:08 60 Second Tech Block17:17 Fall Color Guard Costuming29:23 Water We Doing?!33:04 Copyright & Marching Arts35:55 Extreme Weather + Performer Safety40:50 Gush & Go46:42 Final CTA + Closing RehearsalPANELChris Rutt — @wildhornbrass1Grantis Peranda — @grantisimo_pJeremy Svoboda / Drum Corps Today — @drumcorpstodayNEWS & RESOURCESMandarins approved to return to the DCI Tour in 2027Remembering Steve Vickers — Drum Corps InternationalGold + The Battalion approved for DCI World Class in 2027RELATED OAWBS4EP39 — WGI 2027 Waitlists, Percussion Changes + Practice Makes PermanentS4EP38 — Marching Arts News + Color Guard Tech AdviceMORE OAWBOnAWaterBreak.com | Listen Everywhere | Marching Arts News | Meet the Team | Join Us | YouTubeInstagram / Facebook / TikTok: @onawaterbreakPRESENTED BY GUARD CLOSETGuardCloset.com | @guardcloset

WGI’s new Color Guard Chief Judge Denise Bonfiglio joins Trish O’Shea and Sadie Wallace for a special installment of the WGI 50th Anniversary Series — looking back at nearly 50 years of winter guard history and ahead to what comes next.Denise has been part of WGI since its earliest years as an instructor, designer, adjudicator and educator. She revisits the programs that transformed color guard, explains why WGI’s promotion system is working, discusses growing championship waitlists and venue capacity, and takes us inside the process that led to her becoming WGI Color Guard Chief Judge. She also traces her role in WGI’s adjudication philosophy, mentoring judges, and the challenge of coordinating roughly 380 judging assignments for the season.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome — Denise Bonfiglio joins OAWB00:36 Trish, Denise & Sadie reconnect01:22 WGI’s 50th anniversary05:33 Color guards that changed WGI14:44 Could anyone have imagined 50 years?16:39 Scholastic World growth20:09 Why the promotion system works22:48 Waitlists & championship venue capacity23:58 Denise’s road to WGI Color Guard Chief Judge26:36 WGI adjudication philosophy28:58 Mentorship and training judges30:54 What the Chief Judge job requires31:24 Roughly 380 judging assignments33:39 Dale Powers & Emerald Marquis memories35:51 Looking toward WGI 202739:09 ClosingGUESTDenise Bonfiglio — WGI Color Guard Chief JudgeHOSTSTrish O’Shea — @trishdish1102Sadie Wallace — @m.sadiewallaceWATCH MORE WITH DENISEDenise Bonfiglio’s first OAWB interview + 32 Count Life StoryOFFICIAL WGI RESOURCESDenise Bonfiglio Named Color Guard Chief JudgeWGI 50th Anniversary Opening Ceremonies2027 WGI Color Guard CalendarRELATED OAWBGreg Case — includes OAWB’s earlier coverage of Denise’s appointmentMORE ON A WATER BREAKWebsite | Listen Everywhere | Marching Arts News | Meet the Team | Join UsFollow @onawaterbreak on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok.Presented by Guard Closet — uniforms, flags, costumes, consignment and design for the marching arts.

WGI 2027: waitlists already? Color guard registration is already putting championship capacity in the spotlight. Whitney Stone, Jeremy Denzer, Sadie Wallace, Trish O’Shea and Garrett Lippie break down the early WGI waitlists, WGI percussion changes, European drum corps, whether BOA should judge color guard separately, and more. Garrett’s 60 Second Tech Block is all about why practice doesn’t make perfect — Practice Makes Permanent.CHAPTERS00:00 WGI 2027 Color Guard Tea02:02 Welcome + Recent OAWB Releases08:27 Quiet Spin Flagpole Test11:28 Derek Phillips Family Thanks the Marching Community16:15 Remembering Steve Vickers19:00 WGI 2027 Color Guard Registration + Waitlists25:15 WGI Percussion 2027: Quad Panel, Audio Theater + Regionals29:59 Scholastic Open Registration Check30:49 European Drum Corps Championships32:58 Guard Closet35:43 60 Second Tech Block37:27 Practice Makes Permanent43:46 Water We Doing?!51:21 Circuit Sound Systems53:48 Should BOA Judge Color Guard Separately?57:59 What Are We Going to Do About It?58:42 Who Actually Runs the Design?59:41 Gush & Go1:07:01 Bridgeland Wins BOA North Houston1:08:11 Whitney Shares a Personal Loss1:09:21 Closing RehearsalON THIS EPISODEWhitney Stone — @dancerwhitJeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzerSadie Wallace — @m.sadiewallaceTrish O’Shea — @trishdish1102Garrett Lippie — @g_lippie27Executive Producer: Jeremy WilliamsNEWS + RESOURCESDerek Phillips family/community support: https://www.kcci.com/article/family-of-derek-phillips-thanks-community-for-support/73859683University of Iowa remembrance: https://hawkeyemarchingband.uiowa.edu/news/2026/09/message-hawkeye-marching-band-and-school-musicSteve Vickers remembrance: https://www.dci.org/news/steve-vickers-longtime-publisher-of-drum-corps-world-dies-at-77/WGI July Board recap: https://www.wgi.org/26julyboardrecap/WGI Color Guard current entries: https://www.wgi.org/currententries/cg-current-entries/WGI Percussion calendar: https://www.wgi.org/percussion/p-calendar/European Drum Corps Championships preview: https://www.dci.org/news/ensembles-from-five-countries-will-be-represented-at-2026-european-drum-corps-championships/MORE OAWBWebsite: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/Listen everywhere: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/linksNews: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/newsMeet the team: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/teamJoin us: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/join-usYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnawaterbreakInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onawaterbreakTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onawaterbreakRELATEDQuiet Spin Anchor System Quick Sip: https://youtu.be/2C5ubVbUOdkOAWB with Punk Rock Irving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY6RVI39mjcPresented by Guard Closet — https://www.guardcloset.com/ — @guardcloset

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.Marching band season is fully underway, winter guard planning is starting, and this week Chris Rutt, Dalton Stout, Cynthia Bernard, Jeremy Svoboda and guest Monica Drohan tackle the Nimitz High School marching band shirt pulled by Aldine ISD, heat concerns at the Sullivan Marching Band Festival, Indiana’s 2027 Teacher of the Year Jason Witzigreuter, SoundSport 2027 registration and more.In this episode:Nimitz High School’s marching band shirt is pulled after complaints about its imageryNine people are treated for heat-related concerns at the Sullivan Marching Band FestivalHomestead band director Jason Witzigreuter is named Indiana’s 2027 Teacher of the YearSoundSport opens registration for the 2027 seasonMonica Drohan shares her 32 Count Life StoryCynthia Bernard breaks down count sheets, tempo, contrasting tape and rifle vs. saber techniqueWater We Doing?! takes on field entrances, soundtrack selection, asking for help, weather plans, breathing and conditioningPanel:Christopher E. Rutt — @wildhornbrass1Dalton Stout — @SaltyDaltiCynthia Bernard — @cynthiabernJeremy Svoboda / Drum Corps Today — @drumcorpstodayGuest: Monica Drohan / Evoke Performance Collective — @evoke_pcChapters:01:34 Nimitz High School Band Shirt Pulled06:14 Sullivan Marching Festival Heat Emergency10:12 Indiana Teacher of the Year11:49 SoundSport 202718:34 32 Count Life Story22:19 60 Second Tech Block33:32 Water We Doing?!49:43 Gush & Go59:02 Closing RehearsalPresented by Guard Closet. Uniforms, flags, costumes, consignment and design services for the marching arts. GuardCloset.com | @guardclosetFind On A Water Break: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/ | Listen Everywhere: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak | YouTube: @OnAWaterBreak | Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @onawaterbreak | Be a guest: [email protected]

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.Joey Montes III, Jeremy Denzer and Courtney Coffey check in on the fall marching season, then break down the Hawkeye Marching Band’s tribute to Derek Phillips and what it means for marching-band heat safety; Penn State’s Blue Band and Morgan State’s Magnificent Marching Machine bringing Hamilton to MetLife Stadium; the NCCU Sound Machine altercation with North Carolina A&T staff over “breaking ranks”; and DCI’s record 1,000-student INpact + BANDtastic! Indy honors bands.Jeremy’s 60 Second Tech Block explains how to listen to judge commentary twice, identify repeated themes and walk into critique ready for a real conversation. Water We Doing?! takes on velvet costumes, color guard designers being left off design-team announcements and staffs that refuse to delegate. Gush & Go spotlights Color Guard Tea Break, Simply Colorguard Spin School and the start of fall competition season.CHAPTERS00:00 Where Is Your Marching Season?08:03 Welcome to On A Water Break08:34 Hawkeye Band Honors Derek Phillips09:07 Marching Band Heat Safety + WBGT16:31 Penn State + Morgan State Bring Hamilton to MetLife18:12 HBCU Band Altercation + Breaking Ranks22:36 DCI’s 1,000 Middle School Performers27:24 Guard Closet29:02 60 Second Tech Block31:10 How to Use Judge Commentary Before Critique40:11 Water We Doing?!40:32 Velvet Costumes43:02 Why Color Guard Designers Belong on the Design Team45:14 Delegate to Your Staff47:59 Gush & Go52:27 Closing RehearsalPANELJoey Montes III — @marchingbymontesJeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzerCourtney Coffey — Simply ColorguardPRODUCTIONExecutive Producer: Jeremy WilliamsAssociate Producer: Devin RosseyNEWS & RESOURCESHawkeye Marching Band tribute to Derek PhillipsWet Bulb Globe Temperature / heat safetyHamilton halftime with Penn State + Morgan StateNCCU / NC A&T band altercationDCI INpact + BANDtastic! IndyNOAA El Niño updateMORE OAWBOnAWaterBreak.com | Episodes | News | Listen Everywhere | Team | Join UsRELATEDS4EP36 — Derek Phillips, WGI jobs, JD Shaw + recruitingS4EP29 — marching band heat rules + WBGTPRESENTED BY GUARD CLOSETUniforms, flags, costumes, consignment and design for the marching arts. GuardCloset.com | @guardclosetSubscribe, follow, review and share. We’ll see you at the next rehearsal — On A Water Break.

WGI Jobs, JD Shaw Retires & Marching Band Recruiting | OAWB S4EP36Haley Harrington welcomes new OAWB team members Garrett Lippie and Devin Rossey for WGI opportunities, DCI offseason changes, marching band and color guard recruiting, JD Shaw’s Phantom Regiment retirement and Garrett’s 60 Second Tech Block on staying engaged through every hold. The panel also remembers Hawkeye Marching Band member Derek Phillips and asks why students still struggle to find a clear path into marching band.CHAPTERS00:00 Haley Takes the Host Chair00:34 Meet Garrett Lippie & Devin Rossey01:04 32 Count Life Stories06:23 Melanin Mosaic NYC Color Guard Casting08:18 Remembering Derek Phillips11:28 WGI Color Guard Event Manager12:54 WGI 2027 Judge Applications14:39 Blue Devils Percussion Staff Discussion17:23 JD Shaw Retires from Phantom Regiment20:12 Guard Closet21:51 60 Second Tech Block24:47 Stay Off Your Heels & Stay Engaged28:00 Water We Doing?!28:35 Why Is Marching Band So Hard to Join?32:02 Put the Sticks in Their Hands33:56 Color Guard Recruiting & Open Gyms34:56 Bringing Drum Corps Back to the Big Screen38:16 Stay Humble as Educators44:01 Gush & Go44:23 Jeremy Welcomes the New OAWB Team46:12 Garrett’s Gush & Go47:59 Devin Teases What’s Coming Next48:44 Haley’s Gush & Go50:59 Closing RehearsalPANELHaley Harrington — @h_harrington14Garrett Lippie — @g_lippie27Devin Rossey — @devvvie96Executive Producer: Jeremy WilliamsNEWS & RESOURCESMelanin Mosaic NYC castingRemembering Derek PhillipsWGI Color Guard Event ManagerWGI 2027 Judge ApplicationsBlue Devils StaffPhantom RegimentMORE OAWBOnAWaterBreak.com | Episodes | News | Listen Everywhere | Team | Join Us | BlogYouTube, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @onawaterbreakRELATEDQuietSpin Quick Sip: Spotify | YouTubePRESENTED BY GUARD CLOSETUniforms, flags, costumes, consignment & design for the marching arts. GuardCloset.com | @guardclosetEDITOR’S NOTE: The episode describes John Mapes as replacing Scott Johnson as Blue Devils percussion caption head. The current Blue Devils staff listing identifies Scott Johnson as Arranger/Caption Head and John Mapes as Arranger/Caption Manager.Subscribe, follow, review and share. We’ll see you at the next rehearsal—On A Water Break.