In his 50 years of drum corps experience, Mike “Merk” Mercandante has worn many hats but he’s never had one like this. This season, Merk is originating Jersey Surf’s role as Director of Member Experience.

In this brand new position, Merk is working to provide members with a memorable and positive experience. By scheduling moral-lifting presentations and stress-relieving dance classes, he hopes, “from the time they wake up, to the time they go to bed, that they are enjoying themselves.” In Merk’s eyes, there are two necessary parts to drum corps, “Number 1, a little bit of fun, number 2, a lot of hard work.” When the members have issues, Merk encourages them to come to him. With a degree in philosophy, getting “down to the crust of the whole thing,” is what he’s about.

One of Surf’s big mottos this season is “Right here, right now.” Merk, who is leading the campaign, is “trying to establish in members’ mindsets that the moment is what’s really important.” He urges members to not get too far ahead, whether in drum corps or in life. Right now, he’s concerned with giving the members experiences and lessons that they can take with them for the rest of their life.