This week, Stephen McCarrick is joined by Neil, Art Grossman, and guest Megan Cooney, Associate Director of Bands & Director of Athletic Bands at Rowan University, to talk about the rapid rise of the Pride of the Profs Marching Band and the realities of surviving Bandtober.

🎺 Discover how Rowan’s program expanded from 130 to 180 members in just three years, what it takes to build a college band culture from scratch, and how joy, trust, and community keep musicians coming back through the busiest month of the season.

🗞️ NEWS

• Wisconsin State Championships – Baldwin-Woodville, Greendale, River Falls & Oak Creek take top honors.
• HBCU Red Lobster Band of the Year – Florida A&M’s Marching 100 lands #1.
• Minnesota Youth & Music Championships – Rosemont High School wins gold.
Plus, big shoutouts to every band wrapping up state finals weekend!

💼 Peak Group Travel Tip – @peak.group.travel | Lock in your early-bird fares before finals season hits full stride.

⚙️ 60-Second Tech Block

Neil fires up the field with a pep talk on staying motivated — from Halloween rehearsals to senior night celebrations.

💦 Water We Doing?!

Stephen questions why “bad” college bass lines still exist,
Megan vents about practice-room noise complaints,
Art calls out Bandtober burnout,
and Neil just wants one Saturday for pumpkin patch season.

🌟 Gush & Go

Neil’s band heads to the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade,
Megan’s students earn a 2026 Philly Thanksgiving Parade invite,
Stephen performs with the Eagles Drumline Kelly Green Game,
and Art celebrates how the marching arts are thriving nationwide.

👥 This Week’s Panel

Stephen McCarrick – @yeah_bass
Neil – @neildrums1
Art Grossman – @arthurjuhl
Guest Megan Cooney – @prideoftheprofs | Rowan University

💧 Find On A Water Break

🌐 onawaterbreakpodcast.com
🔗 linktr.ee/onawaterbreak
📧 onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & more.

🏆 Sponsors

🥇 Peak Group Travel – @peak.group.travel | peakgrouptravel.com
🛍 Guard Closet – @guardcloset | guardcloset.com

🎙 A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes.