The Jersey Surf is very pleased to welcome Gino Cipriani and Bob Cizmarik to its team of music education professionals in the roles of "Director of Brass Education," and "Manager of Percussion Education" respectively.

"We continue to refine our program to better serve our members, who wish to participate in a World Class drum corps, but who are unable or choose not to participate in the entire continuous nine weeks of the Drum Corps International Tour due to their summer employment, educational pursuits or other personal situations," said Bob Jacobs, Executive Director. "Gino and Bob are both seasoned professionals who will make an instant, positive and lasting impact on the members of the organization and will help to guide the continuing evolution and development of the Jersey Surf and its members.

"Gino recently relocated from suburban Atlanta to the Philadelphia area, which provided the motivation for a discussion about his possible involvement with the Surf, while continuing in his roles as Brass Caption Supervisor for the Allentown, Pa.-based Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and the all-age Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps of Reading, Pa. The geographic proximity of the three organizations and the lack of conflicting rehearsal dates will make it possible for Gino to effectively manage all three programs, leading a strong team of educators at each. We're looking forward to creating new opportunities for achievement for the members of our brass section, and we're quite happy to have Gino leading the team."

"I'm really looking forward to having the opportunity to work with the brass section of the Jersey Surf," said Cipriani. "The Surf has a unique touring format and a passionate group of creative people providing the opportunity to be a part of the DCI Tour to students who might not be able to participate otherwise. Effectively managing rehearsal time and setting achievable goals is even more important in this very focused format, and it will be exciting to help the corps to accomplish great things in the years ahead."

Cipriani received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Instrumental Education from the University of Mississippi. As a student at Ole Miss, he studied trumpet performance under the guidance of Dr. Charles Gates. Cipriani also studied trumpet under Roy Poper while attending California State University at North Ridge.

Cipriani spent 10 years, 1990 through 1999, as a Brass Instructor for the 10-time World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. He then took the position as Brass Supervisor for the nine-time World Champion Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. In 2000, Cipriani led the hornline to achieve the highest brass award in DCI that year.

In 2002 and 2003, Cipriani had the honor of serving as Brass Caption Head and assisted in bringing the Magic of Orlando back to the field as a finalist after two years of inactivity. In 2004, Cipriani held the Brass Caption Head position for the six-time World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. From 2001 to 2004, Cipriani headed and consulted for the brass section of the five-time DCA Champion Syracuse Brigadiers.

Cipriani returned to The Cadets in 2005 to be a part of "The Zone: Dreamscapes in Four Parts with a Door" production. Under Ciprianiʼs guidance, the Cadets took the top brass caption award at DCI finals that year.

Gino has served as a consultant to marching bands, jazz bands, concert bands as well as drum and bugle corps across the United States, Canada and Korea. In Korea, he had the pleasure of working with the Korean Armed Forces Bands in preparation of the World Cup Ceremonies in 2002. In addition, Cipriani serves as an adjudicator at marching band competitions throughout the country for Bands of America and the US Scholastic Band Association.

Bob Cizmarik returns to the Jersey Surf instructional team, where he served as percussion instructor in 2004. This will be his first tour of duty in the role of "Manager of Percussion Education," and will handle the day to day responsibilities of instruction and management of the percussion program through collaboration with Rich Hammond, who returns to the corps for his fifth season in the capacity of "Director of Percussion Education."

"Bob is an extremely passionate, very talented and articulate professional who will undoubtedly help to motivate the members and staff involved with our percussion program to new levels of achievement," said Jacobs. "We're very happy to welcome him back to our team to usher in the next chapter in the development of our percussion education program."

"It will be great to return to the Jersey Surf, and an honor to do so in the role of Manager of Percussion Education," said Cizmarik. "I have a great deal of respect for the Jersey Surf program and the commitment of the corps management to continue to grow and evolve at a pace within its means. I truly enjoyed being on the percussion staff in 2004, and I'm really looking forward to continuing the strong legacy of quality percussion education which has long been a part of the tradition at the Jersey Surf."
 
For the past three seasons, Bob has led the percussion section of DCA's Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps to the top of the elite in the all-age competitive circuit.

Bob began his formative years marching in all-age drum and bugle corps in Pennsylvania, before deciding to head out to Toledo, Ohio to perform with the Glassmen Jr. Drum and Bugle corps.  After aging out with the Glassmen in 1999, Bob returned to Ohio, serving on the percussion staff of the Bluecoats Jr. Drum and Bugle Corps. He has since been involved with various junior and all-age drum corps, as well as a number of high school, college and independent outdoor and indoor percussion programs. He currently serves as the Director of Percussion for the highly regarded Upper Darby High School Marching Band and Indoor Drumline in Drexel Hill, PA.

Bob currently resides in Wilmington, DE, where when he is not teaching or writing, he is working full time as a Mortgage Underwriter for a highly respected banking institution.