Long-time Surf brass staff member Gabe Gulino passed away peacefully at home this morning after a long illness.

Arriving at the Jersey Surf at the start of the 2002 season with his daughter Lauren (6-year former marching member and drum major), and wife Donna (a beloved member of the corps visual staff), Gabe was already no stranger to the drum corps art form, having spent over 40 years as a marching member, instructor/arranger, brass technician and adjudicator. 

"Gabe was the kind of instructor whose wisdom and experience transcended the competition field," said Executive Director Bob Jacobs. "He was a father, a friend and a mentor to many corps members and staff members alike, and he was a shining example of the 'share the love' philosophy that we all try to embrace as a part of the Jersey Surf organization. His enthusiasm and deep love for the drum corps activity and for people was evident in every student that he taught, every sectional he conducted and even in every horn that he repaired. We've lost another great friend today, but we will take pride in knowing that Gabe's influence will remain with the organization and its members for many years to come. We share a heartfelt sense of loss with Donna and Lauren and we hope that they will both be comforted in the knowledge that Gabe was able to make a caring and positive impact on the lives of many people throughout his life, serving as an outstanding example of patience, compassion and professionalism for future generations of instructors."

Gabe began his drum corps career as a marching member with the Midshipmen Drum & Bugle Corps and soon advanced to march with the St Rocco's Cadets and the New York Kingsmen Drum & Bugle Corps. During that time, Gabe began his writing career under the watchful eyes of the legendary Hy Dreitzer and Robert Bunce. He was also involved in  "early flugelhorn experiments" while marching with the NY Kingsmen.

Gabe attended the Manhattan School of Music Prep, the Manhattan School of Music and Bronx Community College as a Trumpet Performance Major, later attending Nyack College where he studied music/composition theory under Paul Liljestrand, and ultimately receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition. During this time Gabe also attended the Eastern School of Musical Instrument Repair where he learned the craft of repairing and restoring band and orchestral instruments under the watchful eye of master technician Fred Kirschner.

In 1972, Gabe began teaching his first Drum Corps, the Queens Village Queens, and helped lead them to their first championship in NY State competition. He continued this streak with the Pearl River Cadets, helping to guide them to an unprecedented four undefeated seasons in the American Heritage Circuit Championships. Gabe went on to teach and arrange for a number of corps which included the Kidets of Bayonne, NJ (feeder corps to the Bayonne Bridgemen), the New City Commanders of New City, NY and Fantasia III of Little Falls, NJ, who placed second in the 1981 Drum Corps International Division II World Championship finals. At the time of his passing, Gabe was the brass caption head of the Bayonne Bridgemen Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps of Bayonne, NJ.

Gabe began his judging career with the International Judges Association and continued to judge band festivals, auditions and other events. He also had the honor of having judged all the armed forces Drum Corps in competition in Annapolis. Most recently, he was a music judge for the United States Scholastic Band Association.

Additional information will be posted as it is made available. Notes of condolence sent to the corps office will be forwarded to the Gulino family.