Fusion Winter Guard Pauses After WGI Championship, Texas Marching Band Heat Rules & Boise Gems | OAWB S4EP29

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.Marching band heat safety, Fusion Winter Guard’s pause after winning the 2026 WGI Independent World Championship, and the future of regional DCI Open Class drum corps lead this week’s On A Water Break.Joey Montes III is joined by Nicole Younger, Ricardo Robinson-Shinall, Jeremy Denzer and Haley Harrington to discuss Fusion’s decision to pause beginning with the 2027 season, Boise Gems’ inaugural Open Class campaign, mandatory Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature monitoring for Texas marching bands, the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands moving to AT&T Stadium, marching arts performers at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and the legacy of Bands of America founder Larry McCormick.In this episode:• Fusion Winter Guard pauses after winning WGI Independent World• Boise Gems completes its first DCI Open Class affiliate season• The case for smaller corps and shorter regional tours• Texas mandates WBGT heat monitoring for marching band activities• HBCU marching bands head to AT&T Stadium in 2027• Remembering Bands of America founder Larry McCormick• Ricardo’s 60 Second Tech Block: performance is more than a smile• Respecting color guard equipment and putting flags on the pole correctly• Building shows around the performers you actually teach• Making room for rest, recovery and life outside rehearsalFeaturing:Joey Montes III — @marchingbymontesNicole Younger — @o2bnpjsRicardo Robinson-Shinall — @ricardorrobinsonJeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzerHaley Harrington — @h_harrington14Presented by Guard ClosetYour one-stop shop for color guard, marching band and the marching arts.GuardCloset.com | @guardclosetFind On A Water Break:WebsiteYouTubeListen Everywhere and Find All LinksBe a guest: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.comFollow @onawaterbreak on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes.00:00 Welcome and panel introductions05:53 Previous episode recap07:04 HBCU bands and the 2027 National Battle of the Bands12:23 Texas mandates WBGT monitoring for marching bands21:54 Boise Gems’ first DCI Open Class season24:12 The case for smaller corps and regional tours28:44 Marching arts performers at the MLB All-Star Game31:52 Remembering Bands of America founder Larry McCormick35:08 Fusion Winter Guard pauses after winning WGI40:04 60 Second Tech Block43:19 Performance is more than a smile49:46 Water We Doing?!50:14 Stop carrying rifles by the strap53:09 Design for the performers you actually have58:15 Respect your color guard equipment01:00:07 Please stop mounting flags upside down01:02:01 Removing stains from white uniforms01:06:40 Make time for yourself01:08:45 Gush & Go01:15:06 Closing rehearsal