Alumni Spotlight: William Careri, Baritone ’14

Name

William Careri

Section / Years Marched

I marched baritone during the 2014 season. For two brief periods during the 2017 season, I was a member of the media team, joining the corps for spring training and during the Allentown-Indianapolis stretch of the tour.

Where are you originally from?

I was born in Hackensack, New Jersey but was raised in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania.

Where do you live now?

I’m living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

What are you up to these days?

I’m currently a senior at Temple University finishing up my degree in public relations. After graduation, I plan to work at a public relations firm specializing in corporate branding. I primarily work in the media-sphere, creating content ranging in video, graphic design and copywriting. Despite not marching anymore, I have worked with groups as a photographer like the Temple University Diamond Marching Band. Most notably, I run the social media for Micro Marching League, an online game where users can create their own marching band, drum corps, indoor drumline, and color guard shows. I still remain an avid drum corps fan, going out to see at least one live show a summer. While I have not marched in many years, I enjoy having the opportunity to see my friends march with various groups.

Outside of work and the marching arts, I dedicate time to being an advocate for mental health. This past April, I gave a TEDx talk entitled “The Importance of Sharing Your Story” where I discussed my experience with mental health, encouraging others to take action as well. That was an incredible opportunity and I do plan to do more things like that in the future.

What brought you to Surf initially?

I was lucky enough to attend the high school that Jersey Surf used during spring training for many years. The first time I was exposed to the corps was during the 2012 season. I remember going up to watch them rehearse “Bridgemania” almost every night. I saw how much fun they had out on the field while still performing at an elite level. I had not attended a live drum corps show before so sitting in the stands that would shake from the horn line reverb was a feeling I’ll never forget. After working hard to raise money during the 2013 summer, I auditioned and was contracted during the 2014 season.

What is your favorite memory from when you marched?

I don’t know if I have one particular moment. I think what I miss the most, though, are early summer mornings. In the mornings, we would be traveling all night long and roll into a housing site at 5 or 6 a.m. to be woken up and in a daze, find our sleeping pads and go into the gym. There’s just something about waking up in a completely new part of the country, smelling the fresh summer air with a sunrise in the distance, surrounded by 149 other corps members that make you feel completely at peace.

How did your experience at Surf influence you in your life/work/etc.?

Other than learning how to make a PB&J in under 10 seconds, there has been quite a bit I’ve taken away from my experiences with Jersey Surf. Why I love being around the corps is because I have never seen a more quirky, happy and energized group of members and staff. I’ve taken that “Share the Love” morale and implemented it into a lot of my workplaces and friend groups. Sharing the love and making people feel good about who they are is rooted from spending a season with an incredible group of people. Yes, I am a hard worker and I am more disciplined in my work because of the drum corps grind, but what makes Surf unique is their brand of sharing the love. It’s something that I’ve always believed in and continue to believe in today.

What advice can you offer current and prospective members about how to make the most of their experience at Surf?

I remember one of the first Jersey Surf promo videos I saw had a voice-over quote from Jon Lacy. He said, “We’re always striving for perfection but why are you in it if you’re not going to have a good time.” That line always stuck with me and it’s something I tried to remember all summer, especially when I felt myself starting to hit my wall. You’re traveling the country, performing your heart out in front of thousands of fans, all with some of the most incredible people you’ll ever get to meet. Yes, work hard and strive to be better each time you walk on the field, but don’t get too caught up in it all and forget to have fun. I still talk to many of the friends I made while marching with Jersey Surf and it’s because of how close we got and the memories we made together.