On A Water Break

WGI 2026 Percussion World Class performers break down the reality of Finals week, show design, and age-out season.This episode features performers from Rhythm X, RCC (Riverside City College), United Percussion, and George Mason University Indoor Drumline — giving a real look inside the highest level of indoor percussion.In this episode:How World Class shows evolve throughout the seasonWhy top groups constantly rewrite and adjust their productionsThe difference between cleaning and designing at an elite levelFinals week mindset and handling pressureThe emotional experience of aging outPanelists:Ari Chervony — United Percussion (Instagram: @ari_chervony)Eitan Chervony — Rhythm X (Instagram: @eitanchervony)Aud Sherrill — RCC (Instagram: @aud.sherrill)Lily Etzel — GMU (Instagram: @lilliannaetzel)Host: Stephen McCarrick (Instagram: @yeahbass)Guest Host: Anne Turner (Instagram: @anne.saber)Follow the Ensembles:Rhythm X — @rhythmxincRCC Drumline — @rccdrumlineUnited Percussion — @unitedpercussionGMU Drumline — @gmudrumlineListen Everywhere:https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341Watch More:Weekly Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT4vhEIgopl8XDO-pU3YOR77Bonus Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT5c48Q_cvR1ATvbaQ1QGcN4Sponsor:Guard Closet — https://www.guardcloset.com

Why do color guard performers panic in performance—and how should we actually be training recoveries?Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.This week on On A Water Break, Alicia, Dalton, Grantis, and Jeremy break down major marching arts news while tackling one of the most overlooked performance skills: recovery training.In this episode:A marching band trailer theft in Orlando and what programs can learn from itThe legacy of Marlene Miller, co-founder of FJM, and her impact on the activityHawthorne Caballeros celebrating 80 years of drum corps historyWGI + BOA Instructor Academy expansion and what it means for instructors60 Second Tech Block:Recovery training — why performers panic, how to fix it, and why recovery skills matter in real performance.Water We Doing?!Performers losing confidence in front of audiencesThe lack of high-energy “banger” shows this seasonDrum corps still hiring staff late into springPerforming with hair in your faceGush & Go:Program growth and championship successPerformer development and confidence winsLooking ahead to the summer seasonListen everywhere:https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=pageWatch full episodes:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT4vhEIgopl8XDO-pU3YOR77Follow us:Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @onawaterbreakPresented by Guard Closet:https://www.guardcloset.comCHAPTERS00:00 – Cold Open & Introductions03:16 – News: Trailer Theft in Orlando05:18 – News: Hawthorne Caballeros 80th Anniversary06:33 – News: Marlene Miller & FJM Legacy08:27 – News: WGI Instructor Academy10:59 – 60 Second Tech Block: Recovery Training16:34 – Water We Doing?!25:03 – Gush & Go30:16 – Closing

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.This week on On A Water Break, Trish O’Shea is joined by Whitney Stone, Justin, and first-time guest Sha’Tara Robinson for a live WGI 2026 conversation packed with late-season energy, controversy, and real talk.The panel digs into the biggest story still hanging over the activity — the Paramount situation and Independent Open waitlist fallout — before shifting into who has real momentum right now in Independent World and Scholastic World. Fusion gets major love, Vox Artium gets praised for a bold design turn, and the crew talks through Fantasia, AMP, Juxtaposition, Arcadia, Avon, The Woodlands, Center Grove, and more.Later in the episode, Justin delivers a timely 60 Second Tech Block on the mental side of preparing for WGI week, and Water We Doing?! turns into one of the strongest segments of the episode with rants on petal tosses at the tarp edge, low volume at contests, costume shipping chaos, rewriting shows at the last minute, and valuing flash over technique.In this episode:Paramount fallout and waitlist frustrationFusion, Fantasia, Vox Artium, AMP, and Independent World buzzArcadia, Avon, The Woodlands, and the Scholastic World raceScores vs momentum heading into Dayton60 Second Tech Block: preparing mentally for WGI weekWater We Doing?! late-season chaos, design choices, and logisticsGush and Go wins from teams and staff heading into championshipsPanelTrish O’Shea — @trishdish1102Whitney Stone — @dancerwhitJustin — @justin.vs.guardSha’Tara Robinson — TikTok @yourfavoriteplantauntieReferenced linksWGI Color Guard World Championships:https://www.wgi.org/color-guard/world-championships-cg/WGI Championships Schedule:https://www.wgi.org/color-guard/world-championships-cg/world-championships-schedules-cg/Independent World Standings:https://www.wgi.org/color-guard/independent-world-group-standings/Scholastic World Standings:https://www.wgi.org/color-guard/scholastic-world-group-standings/Related OAWB episodesParamount WGI Promotion Controversy & Independent Open Waitlist Breakdown:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paramount-wgi-promotion-controversy-independent-open/id1653637341?i=10007566703852026 WGI World Class Performers: Juxtaposition, Alta Marea & AMP:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2026-wgi-world-class-performers-juxtaposition-alta/id1653637341?i=1000747924736WGI Housing Policy + AI Show Design Debate:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wgi-housing-policy-ai-show-design-debate-water-break-weekly/id1653637341?i=1000746369564Find On A Water BreakListen everywhere: https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=pageYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnAWaterBreakWebsite: https://www.onawaterbreak.comWeekly Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT4vhEIgopl8XDO-pU3YOR77Bonus Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL600p0k2IuT5c48Q_cvR1ATvbaQ1QGcN4More OAWB / Be a Guest: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreakSponsorsGuard Closet — https://www.guardcloset.com/

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.In this special On A Water Break Quick Sip, Trish O’Shea is joined by Jeff Ream to remember Gil Silva and the impact he had on Drum Corps Associates and the all-age drum corps activity.Together, they reflect on Gil’s calm leadership, his humor, his years guiding DCA through change, and the way he helped create space for growth across the activity. From memorable rainy championship moments to larger conversations about DCA, Class A, and the future of all-age corps, this episode is a tribute to someone who left a lasting mark on drum corps.In this episode:- Remembering Gil Silva’s leadership and presence in DCA- Personal memories from Trish O’Shea and Jeff Ream- Reflections on Class A growth and the expansion of the all-age activity- Thoughts on Gil’s role in the changing relationship between DCA and DCI- A closing tribute and condolences to Gil’s familyPanel:Trish O’SheaJeff Ream - @reamjeffListen everywhere:https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=pageWatch On A Water Break on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@OnAWaterBreakMore OAWB:https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak00:00 Quick Sip: Intro00:20 Quick Sip: Jeff Ream Joins the Conversation00:39 Quick Sip: Gil Silva’s DCA Leadership02:43 Quick Sip: Rain Delay Memories and Gil Under Pressure05:08 Quick Sip: Humor, Patience and Personality06:19 Quick Sip: Growing DCA and Expanding Class A09:07 Quick Sip: Gil Silva and the Future of DCI All-Age10:33 Quick Sip: Final Tribute to Gil Silva11:12 Quick Sip: Closing and Subscribe Call

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.In this Quick Sip, Jackie sits down with Devon Kugler of Spin Strong to talk about fitness for color guard performers, injury prevention, and why performers need more than just rehearsal to stay strong and healthy.Spin Strong is creating free, accessible fitness resources built specifically for the marching arts community — focused on strength, recovery, and sustainability rather than diet culture.In this episode, you’ll hear:Devon’s journey from performer to Spin Strong founderWhy “weekend warrior” rehearsal habits aren’t enoughWhat Spin Strong actually teaches performersA breakdown of the Guard Gains training programWhy injury prevention is becoming a major conversation in WGIWhat’s next: clinics, website, and custom training supportFollow Spin Strong:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spinstrong_official/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpinStrong_OfficialListen to more episodes of On A Water Break:https://plinkhq.com/i/1653637341?to=page