Joseph N. Macaluso Sr.

Joseph Nicholas Macaluso Sr. (born March 10, 1928) is an American teacher, band director, educational administrator, counselor, musician, veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and retired colonel. He is also an author, Italian-American Civic Award recipient, and civic leader.

Early life and education
Macaluso was born March 10, 1928 in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, the second of three sons. His parents were Italian immigrants Nicholas J. Macaluso Sr. of Contessa Entellina and Frances Mary Calabrese of Giuliana, Sicily. The family owned a grocery and seafood market, as was common for many Italian immigrant families of the time.

He started trumpet lessons in the early 1930s after receiving his first Regent-brand trumpet, bought at Werlein's. With that trumpet came eight free lessons at All State Band, a local music venue owned by noted cornetist Johnny Wiggs. Later, lessons were taken with a local black Creole trumpeter, Manuel Manetta. The charge was 50 cents per lesson and it is recalled that, when the assignment was completed, the lesson was over, no time limit.

Macaluso attended local schools in Algiers, New Orleans, including Martin Behrman High School and Belleville Elementary, and later St. Aloysius High School in New Orleans, where he was a band member for four years under the direction of Professor Taverna, composer of the school's fight song. During this time, he also had private lessons with New Orleans musician, Salvadore Castigliola. During his college years, he studied with another local great, George Jansen, who was widely regarded as one of, if not the, best music teachers in all of New Orleans. Jansen was also well-known as one of the rare teacher in those days who would accept both white and black students without question.

Macaluso graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with a bachelor's degree in music in 1951 and later a master's degree in counseling and guidance. He then received a Ph.D. in educational administration, supervision and management from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. During WWII, he was a Yeoman 3rd Class in the U.S. Coast Guard and was stationed in San Pedro, California and New London, Connecticut.

Career
Macaluso served in the U.S. Army's Military Police Corps during the Korean War in Panmunjom at the 38th parallel. He was a 1st Lieutenant. He returned home when his active service came to an end to become a full-time band director. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserves, completing some 33 years of military service (combined active duty and reserve duty). He rose the rank of full colonel and became commander, 1190th Deployment Support Brigade.

Macaluso worked initially as a band director/music teacher at Warren Easton High School in New Orleans, and later at Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana. From 1955 to 1965, he was Band Director and Director of Music Education at Belle Chasse High School in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. During this time, his bands, both marching and concert, received numerous awards and superior ratings, and were considered among the finest marching bands in the South. They repeatedly participated in the Greatest Bands in Dixie marching event held during the Krewe of Mid City-Carnival Parade annually during Mardi Gras season. The band was also a regular participant in Band Day at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, performing with other top marching bands from around the state at LSU football games at halftime each season. From 1965 to 1977, Macaluso was a teacher, band director, counselor, administrative assistant, and assistant principal at Edna Karr Junior High School in Algiers. He was a licensed counselor (LPC) and marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in Louisiana during his career. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Education at Our Lady of Holy Cross College.

His book Italian Immigrant Families: Grocers, Proprietors, And Entrepreneurs was published in 2004 by RoseDog Books.

Personal life
Macaluso married Genevieve Zelie Viering, daughter of former Gretna Mayor Henry P. Viering Sr., in 1951. They had one son, Joseph Jr. Genevieve died in 1987 and Macaluso was remarried in 1990 to Sara Reynolds Scott, also a widow. Sara died in 2021.

As a musician, Macaluso played regularly at venues throughout the city. His associations included regular performances with Leon Kelner's Blue Room Orchestra at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans; Herb Tassin; and Rene Louapre Society Orchestra. He served as a Herald for the Rex's King of Carnival at the Rex Ball for over 30 years, participating in the Meeting of the Court and Mystic Krewe of Comus.

Awards

 * 1981: Legion of Merit Award and Medal, U.S. Army
 * 1981: Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army
 * 1989: Order of St. Louis Medal, Archdiocese of New Orleans
 * 2010: Double Eagle Award, Contessa Entellina Society