Joe Tornello

Dr. Joe Tornello is the Director of Athletic Bands at Boise State University in Boise, ID. Since 2011, he has been directing the university's Keith and Catherine Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band, the All-Campus Concert Band, teaching conducting as well as serving as professor and mentor for students across campus including Kappa Kappa Psi, the university’s band service fraternity. The Blue Thunder has seen record participation as the band has been the largest in university history under his leadership. Boise State's athletic bands performing ensembles have entertained millions in attendance at performances across the country spanning Tornello’s time as a director at the university.In 2018 he was awarded the Boise State University Golden Apple Award in recognition of instilling passion for learning in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Prior to his time at Boise State, Tornello was the Director of Bands at North Stafford High School, in Stafford, Virginia. There, the band was designated a Virginia Honor Band, the highest distinction offered by the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director’s Association each of the five years the band was under his leadership. In addition, each group within the program—including the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble and Big Blue Marching Band, earned superior ratings at every event in which they participated.

Joe was a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and was also a percussion instructor and consultant for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from 2000 to 2007. Tornello designs drill for a number of college and high school marching band programs nationwide. As a percussionist, Joe is a Pearl Educational Marching Artist and has enjoyed performing with the Fairfax Wind Symphony, including a performance at the 2006 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Lexington Philharmonic, and has been a featured performer with the Boise State University Symphonic Winds.

Dr. Tornello earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Virginia Tech, a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL, and a DMA in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Kentucky where he studied with Dr. John Cody Birdwell. Additionally, he studied percussion under world-renowned percussionist and pedagogue, James Campbell. He is in demand as an educator, guest conductor, adjudicator, clinician and drill designer across the country. He is a member of CBDNA, NBA-serving as the state chair for Idaho, NAfME and IMEA. Joe currently resides in Boise, Idaho with his wife, Irene, their threedaughters and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Biscotti and Great Dane, Bourbon.