The Boston Crusaders are excited to announce that renowned educator Tom Santino will be rejoining the BAC Brass staff in 2024! Tom previously served as a caption head and advisor for the Boston Crusaders throughout the early 2000s and returns to serve under the leadership of Gino Cipriani. Read Tom’s bio below!

Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of South Florida and his master’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. His journey in music education began as the founding director of bands at Braddock Sr. High School in Miami, Florida. Over the years, he has shared his passion for music at various institutions including Howard Doolin Middle School, Indian Ridge Middle School, and Flanagan High School, where his dedication helped elevate the music program to the status of an FMEA music demonstration school. Currently, Tom serves as an assistant principal with Broward Community Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Tom Santino rejoins the Boston Crusaders staff for the 2024 season. Tom’s first involvement with the corps began in 1998 when he accepted the brass caption head position. The brass line under Tom’s direction would go on to help the corps make their very first top-12 DCI Finals appearance in 1999. The following year, the Boston Crusaders placed fifth and led off the national live PBS television broadcast of DCI Finals performing one of the corps’ most memorable shows of all time. 1999 and 2000 began a new chapter in the history of the Boston Crusaders, that of a perennial DCI finalist. Tom continued to serve on the brass staff in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010 in roles ranging from caption head to caption advisor.

Outside of the Boston Crusaders, Tom’s involvement in the marching activity as both a performer and a staff member includes performing with Florida Wave, Suncoast Sound, and The Blue Devils, followed by staff positions with Magic of Orlando, The Blue Devils, Syracuse Brigadiers, Blue Stars, and Colts.