Carman Cluna        

               Written By Ted Schwartzberg

How do I verbalize the person Carman Cluna was, or the impact the man had on not only my life but also so many others who had the good fortune to know him?
I met Carman Cluna for the first time at St. Joseph's Patron Youth Center at a rehearsal. Carman Cluna entered the Youth Center with a very military bearing, and with a whistle around his neck. He wasn't a very tall man but he immediately caught everyone's attention. His presence emulated such a degree of authority and strength it appeared to the Corps as if he were a "Giant". The only thought that ran through everyone's mind was "this man is important," No one actually knew who he was or why he was there, but for certain he was "Somebody." Instant fear set in. Carman was introduced as our new drill instructor and he proceeded to introduce to the corps members his rules and regulations as everyone sat in complete shock.
 

'54 Tom Costa and wife with their twin boys

   as a "Young Carman Cluna" awaits the show. 

 Carman began rehearsals with the corps almost immediately. Carman was as tough as they come. His method and style of marching required perfection from each and every one of us. Every detail was of monumental importance. There was no room for anything less in his Drum Corps. I remember hours spent with him working on the smallest of details down to position of our fingers. He worked every movement by individual squads or sections and then drilled us over and over until it reached the level he required. He was creative and innovative and never compromised his standard for the difficulty, quality and performance in his programs.  He placed great importance to detail. Everything had to be done his way or it was the "Highway." The Corps members feared
  
 Carman and were afraid to even smile his way. There was an incident, which stands out in my mind that I would like to share: When we started to learn the drill, Carman commanded us to "Dig In" (a term Carman used to mark time with a high leg lift). He repeated it over and over: “Dig In, Dig in!” louder and louder. We continued to march lifting our legs higher and higher as Carman continued to shout louder and louder "Dig In, Dig in." it was then, that he stepped back unknowingly into a puddle of water behind him and slipped and fell.

      Carman and wife Brenda

 Carman & Hy (NEW YORK STATE AMERICAN LEGION

CHAMPIONSHIP * BUFFALO , NEW YORK** 1967 )

The entire Corps, being as frightened of him as we were, absolutely froze and the silence was deafening. Carman got up and looked at each one of us from one side of the Corps to the other and said, " You can laugh". Everyone broke out into an enormous laugh. We then found out at that moment that Carman did have a sense of humor! The only side of him the Corps ever saw was that of a "Disciplinarian and Perfectionist". At that moment, most of the members of the Corps and I developed a sense of love and respect for the man they feared. Honestly, not everyone could tolerate the continuous striving for perfection. Carman's drive for perfection and excellence was not everyone's idea of Drum Corps. I believe in my heart, Carman's discipline, self esteem and sense of dedication were valuable qualities that were instilled in all of us, prepared us for life and would guide us in our decisions made throughout life. He taught us to have respect for ourselves and developed a sense of pride in each and every one in our Drum Corps. Carman had the most profound effect on me personally. Carman was a father figure, mentor and most of all, a friend to me.

Before the 1995 Reunion, there was the Picnic/Reunion 

Bethpage Park L.I.N.Y  Circa 1982

Click Photo Above to See another Carman's Video at the St Joseph Patron Cadets/St Rita's Brassmen 1995 Reunion

The sensitive side of Carman was rarely seen by many, but was shown in the form of pride for his Drum Corps. After St. Joseph's Patron Cadets won the Greater New York Championship he designed and rewarded the entire Corps with Championship rings. This was Carman's way of telling us how much we meant to him. Through Carman's devotion, St. Joseph's continued to improve and established recognition and respect from the top notch Corps in the area. Carman devoted himself entirely to the Corps. It was amazing to see the two most notable instructors, Carman Cluna and Hy Dreitzer, sit down and design a show for the coming season. I didn't realize the work and energy that actually went into creating a show. I did find out later just how difficult it really was and developed a new respect for both of them.

1971 St Rita's Brassmen now "legendary"  Off  The  Line

   RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES

In 1968, St. Joseph's was failing financially. At the end of the season, Tony Franco stepped down as director, and Carman became the new (temporary) Director. Sal "Sonny" Calvagna, who later was brought on board to be the last director of St. Joe's and the subsequently the first director of the now famed "St. Rita's Brassmen " (At the end of the '68 drum corps season we were evicted from the St. Joseph's Church, please read the "History section of St. Rita's Brassmen for more information.)

     1971 in L.I.N.Y.. Carman instructing, Earl Hardy,

David Lucas, Tom Dover and "Russ Forrer".

St. Rita's church on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn was now our new home. Keeping a close eye on the financial matters of the Corps, Carman decided St. Rita's would run a weekly Bingo and organized a work schedule, which every member of the Corps worked. The Bingo games were a success and paid for the Brassmen's new uniforms, which Carman designed, and new drums. We were the Brassmen, Carman's dream Corps. However, Drum Corps was changing and DCI was upon Carman. He fought tooth and nail not to conform to DCI's ways, but unfortunately, in the end, lost the battle. He never compromised. Difficulty, quality and innovation always came first. Eventually, DCI weakened Carman and the Corps.
              

Carman and daughter Jamie

Click Photo Above to See Carman's Video at the St Joseph Patron Cadets/St Rita's Brassmen 1995 Reunion

I learned so much from Carman in the early St. Joe's days that he became a father figure to me. As I grew older, he became my mentor as I was taken under his wing to be made "His" assistant drill instructor for the Brassmen, St. Ignatius and the Connecticut Hurricanes. Spending time with Carman, as his assistant drill instructor is when I became aware of the warm, kind and gentle person he really was. The time-shared driving to Drum Corps practices together and working together side by side was the most special times in my life. These memories are a part of my heart and soul forever. I can still see Carman standing with his hands on his hips, whistle hanging out of his mouth, his shining blue eyes, golden tan and that big smile when the drill was executed perfectly. Executed the Carman way!

As I write this, I have mixed feelings, some of sadness and also happiness. I realize now I was a very lucky person to have known and worked with this man. When Carman left us, it left an empty spot inside of me, which I know, will never be filled. I am sure right now he is in heaven with Hy Dreitzer (please see Hy Dreitzer's info) writing a show for the angels!  Carman Cluna was inducted into the Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 1984. Carman C. Cluna passed on, July 15, 2001. Husband of Brenda. Father of Jamie Barbara and Susan Nastro. Grandfather of Jackie, John, Matthew and Emily...

Carman you will forever live in our hearts!
 

      Contributing Writers