This week On A Water Break, we're spinning into pageant season, breaking down the cost of drum corps, and celebrating some throwback Aussie hat glory. Hosts Nicole, Woody, and Jeremy from Drum Corps Today are joined by color guard director and pageant competitor AK Hazel for an episode packed with marching arts news, real talk, and lots of love for performers pushing boundaries.

🎵 In this episode:

• AK's 32 Count Life Story – Color Guard to Miss Pretzel City to Miss Pennsylvania

• Florida House Bill 1105 gives marching band students PE credit

• Crossmen return to the Aussie hat — the iconic look is back!

• $85,000+ in DCI scholarships awarded for 2025 season

• Crown x Seavine glove partnership announcement

• 1,000+ open spots still available to march this summer

🔧 60 Second Tech Block
AK shares her pre-pageant routine — a mix of drum corps playlists, pageant films, and mental prep

❓ Water We Doing?!

• Nicole: Why aren't we mixing genres on the field (DCI x HBCU style)?

• AK: Uniforms should empower — not restrict — your performers

• Jeremy: Background checks & adult vetting in drum corps is still lacking

• Woody: We're ignoring the collapse of arts funding — and it's already here

💖 Gush & Go

• AK: Her guard's undefeated season and a gold medal finish

• Woody: His students cried with pride — the ultimate teacher payoff

• Jeremy: Open Class Thursday night is the best-kept secret in DCI

💬 Special Guest
@akrhazel | @misspretzelcity

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🌟 Thanks for joining us at rehearsal — see you next time On A Water Break!