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, overseeing the pep bands, conducting the All Campus Concert Band, as well as serving as professor and mentor across a range of additional music education courses. Under his direction, Boise State's performing ensembles have entertained thousands at performances across the country.

Prior to his time at the 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 Big Blue Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble—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 JSU Drum and Bugle Corps from 2000 to 2007. Tornello also designs drill for a number of college and high school marching band programs nationwide, and serves as an adjudicator, conductor and clinician throughout the United States. As a percussionist, Joe 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.  Joe currently resides in Boise, Idaho with his wife, Irene, their two daughters, and their 100+ pound Bernese Mountain dog, Bear.