Maestro Louis Panacciulli has been the Music Director and Conductor of The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra since 1984. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Pace University and has the distinction of being the first graduate to have received this degree in a unique cooperative program with New York University. Mr. Panacciulli also attended The Mannes College of Music, and in 1973 received his Master’s Degree from New York University. He is currently an active member of major music and educational organizations on Long Island.
In 1987, Maestro Panacciulli founded The Nassau Pops Wind Ensemble, a thirty-eight member symphonic band. He is also a Professor on the Adjunct Music Faculty of Nassau Community College where he conducts its Concert Band. This band is open to all Nassau County musicians.
In addition to his busy conducting schedule, he can often be found performing as a clarinet soloist and as a member of several wind ensembles, concert bands, and orchestras in New York City as well as Long Island. NPSO co-founder Dawn Simmons Manuel and he regularly collaborate as music directors for many of Long Island’s fine musical theater presentations. Among the many shows to their credit are: Oliver, The Man of LaMancha, Anything Goes, The Fantastiks, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, and Oklahoma.
Each summer, Maestro Panacciulli and the board of The Nassau Pops organize a summer concert series with performances in the Town of Hempstead, North Hempstead, Glen Cove, Great Neck, and Oyster Bay, effectively reaching all segments of the Nassau and nearby Suffolk and Queens communities. These performances bring the experience of a full symphony orchestra into the audience member’s backyard offering our music to those who might never have the opportunity to experience a concert of this type.
Louis was presented with the Shining Star Award at the 2006 CP Nassau Dignitary Awards Luncheon for his generosity and support of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc. He has been instrumental in raising thousands of dollars to benefit CP Nassau. In 2006, Louis was also honored with the “Make A Difference Award” from the Town of Hempstead.
In 2016, Maestro Panacciulli was appointed Conductor and Music Director of the Rockaway Five Towns Symphony Orchestra. This symphony was founded in 1950 and is one of the oldest classical orchestras on Long Island. Maestro Panacciulli recently retired from his position as teacher of instrumental music in the Valley Stream District 13 Schools. He currently resides with his family in Franklin Square.