Jersey Surf Unveils “Mobile Music Lab” Project

WEST BERLIN, NJ – After more than three decades of providing music education and leadership development programming to thousands of high school and college-aged students, Jersey Surf, Inc., parent organization of the Jersey Surf World Class Drum Corps, is expanding its reach beyond the competitive marching music performance field with its latest innovative program offering: The Mobile Music Lab.

After a year-long series of safety inspections, mechanical upgrades, repairs and renovations, the donated 52-foot long vehicle – which was originally created as a self-contained, climate-controlled traveling classroom and demonstration kitchen for use in institutional food service marketing and sales – is being readied for a variety of special events and educational programs slated for later this year with a new purpose.

The 52-foot long Mobile Music Lab features an onboard commercial kitchen and multimedia theater with seating for 16.

“During our time away from the Drum Corps International Summer Tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our board of directors and administrative team talked at length about how we could creatively diversify our educational and recreational programming to ultimately serve a greater number of people throughout our region,” says Bob Jacobs, CEO of Jersey Surf, Inc and Executive Director of the Drum Corps. “The generous donation of this remarkable asset was hugely serendipitous. It occurred at a perfect time and we are thrilled to incorporate this amazing tool into our portfolio as we bring additional programming opportunities to life.”

“In alignment with the mission of our organization, the Mobile Music Lab project will enable us to bring innovative, inclusive and engaging programming to locations such as recreation centers, senior citizen communities, playgrounds, school assemblies and festivals in the form of participatory and therapeutic music-making events, educational workshops, marching arts skills development sessions, drum circles and other activities designed to massively increase the number of people taking part in the joy of making music,” said Dr. Julie Hill, board chair of Jersey Surf, Inc.

On-board professional kitchen facilities will add to the versatility of programming opportunities.

The versatility of the unique mobile unit provides a wide range of creative options and opportunities designed to increase visibility, relevance and interest among people from all walks of life, with an additional focus on inspiring a new generation of aspiring musicians, performers and student leaders. The mobile facility will also be used to develop grant-supported participatory music-making activities in underserved communities near the Jersey Surf’s home base of operations and beyond.

“An on-board commercial kitchen located in the forward portion of the trailer will enable us to partner with other corporations and organizations to potentially include a nutrition education component in some of our programming,” says Jacobs. “We are currently in the planning stages to engage with grant-makers and collaborators to bring this element to fruition with enduring impact. At the very least, the ability to prepare and serve catered meals, beverages or snacks creates even greater opportunities for creative curriculum options, event formats and locations.”

Current multimedia theater capabilities will be expanded to include modular digital music workstations.

Plans call for an existing multi-media theater and classroom seating for 16 people to be retrofitted with additional portable modular workstations enabling students to learn fundamental electronic music, digital audio and video production skills. This material will be useful and relevant in the preparation of their own content for sharing on personal social media outlets.

“We envision using the trailer as a backdrop at events such as an outdoor percussion workshop or drum circle at a playground or summer camp location, for example. After participating in the workshop outside, we can then invite interested students into a well-equipped portable studio environment where they can be guided through the process of mixing the audio tracks captured during the instructional session, perhaps with the option of adding video and other post-production effects. The goal will be to spark their creativity and interest by enabling them to leave the event with a digital media copy of their experience, suitable for sharing with friends and family online. Teaching performance skills along with production skills enables us to provide innovative programming that is tremendously relevant and interesting to our target audience,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs adds, “As the Jersey Surf continues to navigate the challenges of engaging students in a post-COVID environment, it is our goal to expand our relevance, visibility and reach, as we continue to Share The Love of what we do with as many people as possible. The Mobile Music Lab will provide us with a tremendous opportunity to achieve this goal and continue to fulfill our mission in a new and exciting way.”

Learn More about the Mobile Music Lab.