The Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps of Camden County, New Jersey is pleased to announce the reunion of legendary DCI Hall of Fame members Dennis DeLucia and Larry Kerchner in a junior corps competitive setting for the first time since 1985 as the two luminaries come together to lead the 2012 Jersey Surf in its production, “Bridgemania.” DeLucia will serve as the Design Team Chairman for the Surf’s 2012 effort, while Kerchner will compose the brass score as a member of the design team.

"We know that it is somewhat unusual to announce our intentions for next season while we’re right in the middle of what is shaping up to be our best program since moving into the elite World Class in Drum Corps International competition,” said Bob Jacobs, Executive Director and CEO of the Camden County, NJ-based Jersey Surf. “We can think of no better time and no better place, however, than here tonight at Bayonne’s historic Don Ahern Memorial Stadium to share the exciting news that we will have these two drum corps legends working with us to create a program in the coming year that will undoubtedly delight our performers and all of those for whom they perform, as we pay tribute to the spirit and legacy of The Bridgemen. With the blessing of the Bridgemen organization and the full support of their alumni drum and bugle corps, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to create something very special in the year ahead.

"The 2012 season will be the Drum Corps International’s 40th Anniversary year,” Jacobs added. “The Bridgemen were the first finalist corps to appear in the 1972 DCI World Championships, having finished in 12th place after prelims competition. It’s a great excuse and a tremendous opportunity for us to honor DCI’s first finalist corps on the field next year, while also providing us with a unique chance to enlighten our members about the evolution of competitive drum corps through what many consider to be its “golden era.”

"The opportunity to work with Larry Kerchner in the competitive junior corps environment created by the team at the Jersey Surf is both exciting and very appealing,” said Dennis DeLucia. “Bob has assembled a great team and their vision for a show which draws upon the spirit of The Bridgemen is something that I’d love to be a part of. I’m looking forward to being engaged with the creative process with a group of passionate, talented and committed people.”

Planning for the 2012 campaign is already underway in earnest, while Jacobs remains focused on a strong finish to the 2011 season when the Jersey Surf marks its third season in the elite World Class ranks of Drum Corps International.

"We talk a lot about ‘enjoying the journey’ and ‘sharing the love’ of performance at the Jersey Surf, and we just completed our first tour for 2011, which took us throughout the northeastern US over 23 days,” Jacobs said. “The first tour this year was our best yet, both in terms of our efficiency of operation and the growth of our performance and our performers. We’re chomping at the bit to get back on the road next week, and we  have every reason to believe that the corps will finish this season in its best form since moving into World Class competition, enjoying every step of the journey ahead.”

"I’m really looking forward to being a part of this project,” said Larry Kerchner. “Bob’s enthusiasm has certainly gotten us fired up about the potential for a creative collaboration with members of the Jersey Surf team, and Dennis and I will likely have a few tricks up our sleeves that will undoubtedly make for a fun time for all of us – staff, performers and audiences alike. I have no doubt that this is going to be a great ride!

"There is little doubt that working with pros like Dennis and Larry, our design staff will be able to unleash their creativity to an even greater degree than they have to date,” Jacobs added. “We are assembling quite a team that is dedicated to one goal: giving our performers the opportunity to “Share the Love” with a new audience while perhaps reminding long-time drum corps fans of some of the things which have made the Bridgemen one of drum corps most celebrated brands.”

Additional program information will be announced shortly. First rehearsals for the 2012 Jersey Surf will take place November 18-20 and December 16-18 at the Camden County Technical School in Sicklerville NJ. For additional membership information, please click here.