America’s Champions Will Be Revealed June 14-21

Jersey Surf World Class Drum Corps announced today its support of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games, the largest, most innovative and inspirational national event to be held in the history of the Special Olympics in the United States. Jersey Surf is coordinating and producing three unique NJ Welcome Day volunteer instrumental pep band-style musical ensembles, each consisting of a combination of elementary, middle, high school, college and graduate students, teachers, drum corps and marching band members and alumni, concert and jazz band enthusiasts, orchestral performers and others, as well as any individual amateur or professional instrumental musician interested in volunteering just a few hours of their time and talent to this remarkable event on Saturday, June 14, 2014.

Additionally, the Jersey Surf, an elite Drum Corps International World Class Touring Ensemble, will perform a free special concert exhibition prior to the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, June 15 as athletes & their families arrive to the spectacular Prudential Center in Newark, NJ to kick-off the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games. Jersey Surf’s contribution to the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will enhance the overall experience of the nearly 3,500 Special Olympics athletes from throughout the United States who are competing in 16 different sports at top New Jersey sports venues before an anticipated 70,000 family members, volunteers & fans.

“We are inviting people of all ages and experience levels to come together to help us Pay it Forward by volunteering to perform for a few hours in one of three unique “Spirit Squad” musical pep band-style groups, each of which will provide a lively welcome to arriving athletes and their families,” said Bob Jacobs, Executive Director and CEO of The Jersey Surf. “On NJ Welcome Day, Saturday June 14, the Spirit Squad musicians will be stationed at three key arrival locations, including the campuses of Rider University and The College of New Jersey, as well as the Trenton-Mercer Airport. Instrumental musicians of all ages, instruments and skill levels are instructed to CLICK HERE to register as Spirit Squad participants. Sheet music and additional instructions will be e-mailed to all participating volunteer musicians during the week of May 12, along with an invitation to a brief orientation session and rehearsal in Sicklerville, NJ on Sunday, June 8 from 11AM till 2PM.”

Sports competition for the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will be held at venues throughout Mercer County, New Jersey, including Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, Mercer County Park and several area private schools. In addition to the many showcased sports, Special Olympics athletes will participate in spectacular Special Events including an Opening Ceremony at Prudential Center, Closing Ceremony at Sun National Bank Center, a boardwalk themed Special Olympic Town, a Special Olympics Unified Sports® Festival, & much more. “On behalf of all the Special Olympics athletes participating in the 2014 USA Games, we thank the Jersey Surf World Class Drum Corps for supporting this inspirational event which serves as the platform to promote the transformative power of sports and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities,” added TJ Nelligan, Chairman & CEO of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.

Spirit Squad volunteers do not need to reside in New Jersey in order to participate. All ages, instruments and experience levels are welcome. For additional information, email “info@jerseysurf.org” or call the corps office at 856-753-DRUM.