In 2003, what is now Open Class was known as Division II & III. At the World Championships in Orlando, the II & III competition was threatened by sinister thunderstorms that barely skirted the city all morning on Saturday, the day of Finals. There was a small drizzle and a smattering of distant thunder, but the show went off without a hitch. This was the first year ever that both the Division II & III and Division I Finals were held on the same day. Esperanza won the Division II World Championship by taking Brass Performance and Overall General Effect, with silver medalist Patriots earning top honors for Color Guard and Visual Performance. The bronze medalist Spartans captured the Percussion trophy. Jersey Surf earned the Division II Spirit of Disney Award. Blue Stars won its fourth Division III World Championship by winning Brass Performance, Overall General Effect and Visual Performance, with bronze medalist Marion Glory Cadets winning Percussion. The Lehigh Valley Knights took the Color Guard caption and silver medalist Yamato was presented the Spirit of Disney Award. One typically thinks about fun in the sun when in Orlando, but during the summer months, the shores of New Jersey are also known for being home to frolicking sun worshippers, swimmers and surfers. Jersey Surf’s 5th place production, “Down the Shore with the Jersey Surf,” was one of the first of the corps’ entertaining show themes that it became well known for in its earlier years. Setting the carefree mood, Surf’s drum major conducted the show from a lifeguard high chair. Instead of formal corps uniforms, the brass and percussion players dressed down wearing sun visors, T-shirts, board shorts and surf shoes. The color guard members were in colorful and breezy summer garb. Five brightly colored beach cabanas, the type typically used for changing in and out of beachwear, were spread out across the back of the field.
Michael Boo was a member of the Cavaliers from 1975-1977. He has written about the drum corps activity for more than a quarter century and serves as a staff writer for various Drum Corps International projects. Boo has written for numerous other publications and has published an honors-winning book on the history of figure skating. As an accomplished composer, Boo holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in music theory and composition. He resides in Chesterton, Ind.
