The Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps

The Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps is a non-profit organization dedicated to education in the arts through music and performance. Drum and Bugle corps is an activity similar to marching band; it consists of Musicians, Percussionists, and a Color Guard. Members of the Jersey Surf range in age from 14 to 21 and come from all over, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Jersey Surf competes within Drum Corps International (DCI), "a powerful, nonprofit, global youth activity with far-reaching artistic, educational and organizational influence. Through the annual Summer Music Games Tour, DCI provides entertainment to millions through live performances and nationally-televised events. DCI is Marching Music’s Major League," according to DCI.org.

The Jersey Surf is based out of Mount Holly, New Jersey and rehearse at Camden County Technical School and Winslow Township High school. They have received three Spirit of Disney Awards (an award for design creativity, innovation and performance excellence), were a Division II Silver medalist in 2007 and an Open Class Bronze medalist this past summer. They have been granted World Class status for the 2009 season, which is a huge accomplishment for the corps; World Class corps are the "top -tier" of Drum Corps International.

The Jersey Surf is very unique, like that of its' South Jersey home. Known for outrageous performances and entertaining the crowd, they have grown from a small local corps with quirky field shows to one of the best national corps that is still entertaining, but gives fast-paced professional performances. They are also unique in the fact that they are a “weekend-mostly” corps and are on the road for about 5 weeks (2 different tours) in the summer, while their competition spends May through August on the road traveling from city to city. This weekend-mostly approach allows students who have to work, take summer courses, or just don't like to be away from home for long to be involved in the drum corps activity. One of the best parts about Jersey Surf is that they never forget where they come from, like that Jersey girl that will always be from a small town in Jersey; they will never forgot that every member that has been a part of the organization has gotten them to where they are today. They make South Jersey proud because of their excellence level; they are constantly striving to become better.

The end of November will be the beginning of the 2009 season, with auditions taking place the weekend after Thanksgiving. They encourage students of all levels and backgrounds to audition to become a part of the Jersey Surf. Anyone can get involved, not just marching members. Volunteers are always needed to help out the corps. Help on the food truck and in the kitchen feeding over 100 members and staff is always needed, bus and truck drivers are needed to get the corps down the road all summer long, and other helping hands are also welcomed to help out the staff. Supporting the corps by enjoying their performances, checking out the souvenir stand, and just loving the activity all summer long is also encouraged. You can catch Jersey Surf this summer in local stadiums that are yet to be announced.

Upcoming Jersey Surf Events

November Camp: Auditions for 2009 members
November 28-30
Camden County Technical School, Sicklerville

November 30
Show and Tell performance, 2pm

Check out www.jerseysurf.org and www.DCI.org for more about the Jersey Surf and the drum corps activity. For more information about volunteering with Jersey Surf, email info@jerseysurf.org.

November 3, 2008

For more on local Organizations, visit our South Jersey Organizations page.

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Author: Erin Pierson