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Lighting The Fuse : How IGNITE Transformed A Friday Night Halftime with Sebastian Ruiz, Bennett Veele, Nathan Boschaert & Chris Janowiak of the West Ottawa Marching Band
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The lights drop, the crowd gasps, and the drumline hits the tunnel—suddenly halftime isn’t a break anymore. We invited band director Chris Janowiak and three juniors to share how West Ottawa’s Ignite show turned Friday nights into a must-see, must-hear spectacle without losing the musical heart that drives a great band.
We talk through the why and the how: the move from traditional competition sets to a performance-driven format built for community connection. Chris brings Nashville-seasoned insight and a creative partnership with arranger Benjamin Easley to blend wind writing, backing tracks, stadium lighting, and smoke effects into a tight seven-minute arc. The students open up about learning choreography with ribbons, setting smoke on the podiums, and locking tempo to a track that never budges—a shift that raised accountability and sharpened their skills.
Inside rehearsal, fundamentals took center stage, from balloon breathing for stronger air support to focused ensemble work that’s already lifting tone, blend, and balance ahead of concert season.
The payoff is visible and loud. Fans stop mid-aisle. Visiting administrators ask, “What was that?” Respect rises as the show’s accessibility draws in “Nacho Joe” and new listeners who pull out their phones to capture the action and sounds. Favorite highlights—like a Johnny Cash Ring of Fire sprint, the color guard’s high-energy visuals, and the addictive echo of the drumline in the tunnel—keep the flow going until the game returns. Along the way, we dig into leadership, buy-in, and legacy: why this cohort will be remembered for trusting fast, adapting hard, and setting a new bar for what a high school band can be.
If this conversation fires you up, share it with a friend who loves Friday night lights, subscribe for more stories from the Panther community, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.
This episode was recorded on October 2, 2025.
Podcasts now dropping at 5pm every Sunday evening for that late weekend chill, or listen Monday AM during that morning commute or workout. Please like, follow, subscribe, or leave a review. Even share with someone who might like to listen. Thanks for taking the time to get to know each other a little bit better. The people who make West Ottawa Athletics what it is. Go WO!
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Special thanks to Laura Veldhof Photography.
Chapters
1. Intro & Welcome To Sebastian Ruiz, Bennett Veele, Nathan Boschaert & Chris Janowiak, Appealing to Nacho Joe & Affect on Crowd (00:00:00)
2. OK Conference Commissioner Reacts, Getting To Know, Backing Tracks, Reaction To A New Direction (00:04:51)
3. Chris Janowiak In Nashville, Friday Night Bands In The South East, Why The Shift To Performance Style, School Differences (00:09:23)
4. Doubts & Apprehension, Challenges & Role Changes, The Creative Process & Benjamin Easley (00:12:05)
5. AD Bill Kennedy & The Booth's First Reaction, Rehearsal Schedule & Training Adjustments, Balloons/Drills/Fundamentals (00:17:09)
6. Music Versus Visuals, Color Guard, Lord Jesus There's A Fire, Having Focus (00:22:23)
7. First Night Adrenaline, Enjoying Music & The Process, Halftime Set-up, Mike Hamann, The Show Experience (00:26:07)
8. Balancing Band & XC With Sebastian, Favorite Parts Of Show Looking On, Ring Of Fire, Creativity & Vibe (00:33:37)
9. Community Perception Of Matching Band, A More Accessible Experience, Drumline In The Tunnel, Uniform Personas (00:38:31)
10. Family & Friend's Responses, A Year To Be Remembered For Change & People, More Ahead & Thanks (00:42:48)
11. Band Plays Us Out (00:49:39)
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