Our Conductors

Joe Santanello

2017 - present

Originally from Vernon, New Jersey, Mr. Santanello is currently in his third year as the Director of Bands at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. Previously, He served as the Director of Bands at Strayer Middle School in Quakertown, for ten years where his ensembles were recognized as outstanding. Under his direction at Strayer both the Wind Symphony and the jazz band were invited to perform at the PA Music Educators Association Conference in consecutive years. He also served as the co-director of the Quakertown HS "Panther" Marching Band for ten years. The PMB was a regular top-five finisher at USBands National Champs as well the Group IV Open PA State Champion in 2016. Most recently, the North Penn “Marching Knights” won the 2021 USBands Group IV Open PA State, Mid-Atlantic Regional and National Championships under his direction.

Mr. Santanello earned his Bachelors of Music in Education from West Chester University of PA in 2009, and his Masters in Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State in 2014. He is also a regular performer on French horn. Mr. Santanello has served as the principal horn of PA Symphonic Winds and Warminster Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed with Liberty Wind Symphony, Doylestown Symphonic Winds, Berks Opera Company and more.

In his free time, Mr. Santanello enjoys weight-lifting, reading, cooking, NY sports, and spending time outdoors with his wife, Kaylee, also a musician. They have a cat, Milo, and a dog, Sophie.

Nicholas Hall

2022 - present, Associate Conductor

Nicholas Hall became our Associate Conductor in 2022. He has performed with the ensemble on flute and piccolo since 2013 and as an apprentice conductor in 2016. Mr. Hall is also the director of bands at Wilson Area High School in Easton, PA where he conducts the concert band, jazz ensemble, pep band, and the Warrior Marching Band. He studied Music Education and Flute Performance at Temple University, graduating with honors in 2018 and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Instrumental Conducting at West Chester University, where he actively performs as part of the Wind Ensemble.

Mr. Hall currently serves as Secretary for the Cavalcade of Bands Board of Directors. He remains active as a flutist and teacher in the Philadelphia region, and has performed with the Atlantic Pops, Doylestown Community Band, and Philadelphia Wind Symphony. He has participated in conducting symposiums at the University of North Texas, West Chester University, and the University of Minnesota. Mr. Hall currently resides in Bethlehem with his partner Julia and their cats Joe and Monty.

Albert Zwart

2008 - 2022, Associate Conductor

2022 - present, Assistant Conductor

Albert Zwart was born and raised in northwestern Indiana, graduated from Hammond High School in 1965, and went on to receive his B.A. in Music from Central University of Iowa in 1969. He married his Pennsylvania sweetheart and moved to Newtown, PA where he began teaching instrumental music in the Council Rock School District. In 1973, he received his M.A. in conducting from Trenton State College studying under the late Stanley Austin. After 30 years of teaching in Council Rock, he then became the band director at Upper Bucks Christian School in Sellersville, where he conducted until retiring in 2014. His has performanced in numerous pit orchestras for musicals throughout the Delaware Valley and substituted in several of the county and community bands and orchestras in Bucks County. Al also serves as a French Horn player with the Quakertown Band.

Richard S. Karschner

1999 - 2017, Conductor

2017 - present, Conductor Emeritus

Richard Karschner spent more than thirty years as a high school band director and then worked as a Supervisor of Music from the Upper Dublin Schools until retiring. Richard studied at Susquehanna University, Miami University, and Temple University. Having directed award-winning concert, marching and jazz bands as well as more than twenty-five musicals, he is familiar with a wide variety of musical styles. Karschner now serves as our Conductor Emeritus.