After two seasons away from the competitive field due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jersey Surf returned to DCI competition on July 2 in Quincy, MA. Corps members were excited to take the field for the first time and share their show, “Meet Me in Atlantic City,” with the enthusiastic and seasoned New England drum corps audience. With musical selections including “Wayside Festival,” a medley of iconic hits from the Four Seasons, and a taste of Bon Jovi to round out the repertoire, the show was an instant hit with the crowd. 

In preparation for the season, the corps spent three weeks rehearsing on the beautiful campus of Delaware State University (DSU) in Dover, DE. Corps members enjoyed a world class experience living in campus dorms, eating in the dining facility and rehearsing in the stadium daily. Following spring training, the corps began its first tour by traveling to Massachusetts for two DCI competitive events. The corps then returned to DSU for the first of two Jersey Surf home shows. First tour concluded with a few more rehearsal days in southern New Jersey.

The corps members, staff, and volunteers are currently taking a much needed break from tour so they can recharge mentally and physically for the second half of the season. On July 21st, the corps will reconvene at West Deptford High School and return to competition on Saturday, July 23rd at Summer Thunder in Sewell, NJ. Friends and family are invited to a special “send-off” performance at West Deptford High School on Sunday, July 24th at 3:00 pm. Admission is free, but a donations of cash, VISA gift cards or family size peanut butter, jelly, or cereal is encouraged!

Following the Friends and Family performance, Surf will head south for a week of additional rehearsal through various locales in the Commonwealth of Virginia, followed by the Carolina Crown-sponsored “NightBEAT” DCI Contest on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on Sunday, July 31st. The corps will return north for a few more shows including shows in Annapolis, MD, Glassboro, NJ (Surf’s second home show), Allentown, PA, and Cincinnati, OH. The second tour will conclude with the DCI Championships in Indianapolis, IN. To see the list of remaining shows and to purchase tickets, please visit https://dci.org/events.

More than ever, volunteers are needed, especially from July 21st through August 6th. Please email Volunteer Coordinator Terri Ives terri@jerseysurf.org if you are able to lend a hand! No experience is necessary.