Who's that new guy leading the band???
Meet Joe Santanello...
If you'™ve been to any of our recent concerts, you may have wondered who the new guy is conducting the band in addition to Richard Karschner (music director) and Al Zwart (asst. music director). Well, you'™re in luck'¦ because we'™re going to introduce him to you now. His name is Joe Santanello and he'™s our new associate conductor!! He lives in Quakertown, teaches music in Quakertown, and leads a very active musical life. When he is conducting, he has a strong command of the ensemble, and the band seems to really enjoy him as a director.
He is entering his seventh year teaching music, as the Director of Bands at Strayer Middle School in Quakertown. He is also the Co-Director of the Quakertown Community High School "Panther" Marching Band and also directs one of the high school's two jazz bands ' now affectionately dubbed "Joe's Jazz Cafe." Mr. Santanello earned his Bachelors of Music Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and his Masters of Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. In addition he also has a small french horn studio in Quakertown and his students have been selected to the PMEA Region, District and All-State Festivals as well as performed in the prestigious Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.
He is also an avid performer. In addition to playing French horn with us, he maintains a regular performing schedule as the principal horn of the Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds, and also plays with the Berks Opera Company and the newly founded Liberty Wind Symphony.
He is getting married later this month to Kaylee Black, another one of our other French horn players. That will make them the only 'same-section' marriage in the Quakertown Band ?. He enjoys spending time with her, cooking, running, tennis, reading and probably long romantic walks on the beach. His only downside is he is an avid New York sports fan including the awful NY Giants (but you can'™t blame him too much, since he grew up near there).
When asked about his role in the Famous Quakertown Band he replied, 'It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Quakertown Band this summer. In this day and age it is not often one feels such a strong connection to history. However you can'™t help but feel a part of a grand tradition when spending the summer with this group. The band truly makes you understand why bands had such a strong role in the community for such a long time. Bands bring people of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds together, either to play or to listen...and no one has done it better in the past 138 years than the Quakertown Band! Beyond that, the band is a collection of truly wonderful people with an impressive dedication to music and to one other. What a treat!'
So, when you come hear us this summer, make sure to say 'Hi' to Joe, welcome him into the fold as we have, and find out what a great guy, great teacher, great musician and great leader he is.
