Aaron Pellegrini: The Musical Mortician
Most people can barely handle one full time career much less a second. So, how is it that a man such as this is able to keep everything together and live out his dreams without losing his zest for them both? Well, he gives us an insight into his life in hopes to answer the baffling question.
My first curiosity was how all this recent publicity feels to a guy who is usually quite private. He did acknowledge that the interviews on television and all the stories on him in the press have been somewhat of a shock. “It’s a bit intimidating. I always dreamed of having something like this happen, but I guess I didn’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about its consequences! For example, I went out to dinner this evening with a friend and it took me almost an hour to get to my table. It will take a little getting used to, I’m afraid.”
Considering the determination of this musician I had to ask if his two careers ever collided to the point of seriously interfering with each other. “Unfortunately, yes. I leave every Monday night to attend rehearsal in Minden, Nevada – about an hours drive from me here in Yerington. When I do this, I find that’s when Gerald and Cindy need me the most at the funeral home. They both tell me they don’t mind, but I know better. When I have a concert with the pops, it is like clockwork – concert coming up, funeral the same day. I have also had to miss many rehearsals, due to me needing to be at the funeral home running it, digging graves, doing removals or driving to the Washoe County Coroner’s Office. Danny dislikes it immensely when I have to call in, but he always understands. I guess you could say I have the better of two worlds.”
Aaron Pellegrini has been with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra now for 7 years. Maestro Danny Yale formed the orchestra in 1999, and Mr. Pellegrini joined shortly there after as their only horn player. He is now principal horn of a section of 3 – 5 horns, depending on the week.
“Everyone in the orchestra is wonderful. Did I mention WONDERFUL? They have all grown from fellow performers and musicians to great friends. I wouldn’t trade any of them for all the money in the world. As for DannyâÂ?¦ I have served faithfully under the baton of only two men during my entire career in music. One of those is Maestro Danny Yale with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra. There just isn’t anyone quite like him. Born in New York, he has the pizzazz and talent only found on the East coast. I found him to be a fantastic and loyal friend right from the beginning. He has always been there when I needed him the most, and has had a tireless interest in my compositions. I love the man dearly.” Mr. Pellegrini said when asked about the others that he works with in the orchestra, giving glowing testimonies but especially for Danny Yale.
From information on the education of such a ‘sane madman’ to how many years he has actually been playing at such a level he had a lot of intriguing responses for me.
“I have to laugh when it comes to my education. As I said earlier, I was awarded a handsome scholarship to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. My stay there at UNLV lasted about a semester and a half before they asked me to leave and “never return”. After a short hiatus, I attended the University of Nevada, Reno. This stay was even shorter than that at UNLV, and I was eventually told the same thing. Additionally, I was told that I would “never make a musician”, and that I was a “waste of real musicians’ time”. They went on to say “perhaps you should find a career that doesn’t involve music in any way”. Bastards. – – I have been writing music since I first learned to read it. That would place me back into the 5th grade – about 1987 or so. I was never instructed by a teacher or professor in regards to composition, and as a result, I have had to learn as I go. Let’s just say I have managed to find better ‘teachers’ than your average school can provide. I started teaching myself how to play the family’s organ that my mom and dad bought during the summer vacation before my 5th grade year began. After I began band, I had a better concept on how to read music, and what it was all about. In band, I played the clarinet for a year and a quarter. By the time I switched to playing the oboe, I had learned enough about playing the organ that I no longer needed the music that told you what each note was. I was composing my own works by this time as well. In the 6th grade, I grew tired of oboe and switched once again to the French horn. I have played that instrument ever since. Also in my 6th grade year, I taught myself how to play the piano accordion in an afternoon. It was my father’s Silvio Soprani, 120 bass accordion. In 7th grade, I was told I was going to be the piano player for the high school jazz band by my then instructor, Papa Jene Melton. Since then, I have learned to play the bassoon, trumpet, tuba, trombone, pipe organ, fluteâÂ?¦I can’t seem to remember all of themâÂ?¦”
“My first dream of becoming a composer came from listening to great music as I grew up. I grew to love Beethoven at a very young age, and found him to be my ‘guiding light’, if you will. I have many different reasons for my love of both his music as well as him as a person. At the age of five, I learned I had a slight hearing problem. Over the years, I have struggled with this as it has grown steadily from a slight problem to almost complete deafness in my left ear, and moderate loss in my right. I have always believed that if Beethoven could do it, so could I. I also must include my family, as they have been a great support and influence in my life. I come from an artistic family, and as a result, I have been very fortunate that they all understand my art and love of that art.” Mr. Pellegrini stated when asked about who has influenced him in his composing.
In 1995 he earned a Superior rating at the Nevada All-State Solo Competition, as well as the top brass player in the state award. In both 1994 and 1995 he earned the John Philip Souza Award, which is the most prestigious award offered to young musicians. In 1995 he achieved a handsome scholarship to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Since then, he hasn’t had many accolades, until recently. Just last week he received a Senatorial Recognition from Senator John Ensign. “I would say that out of all of the awards I have earned over the years, Senator Ensign’s kind words and gratitude for what I’ve accomplished was by far the greatest compliment I’ve received yet.”
I know what you are all thinking. So, a man with all this talentâÂ?¦ why in the world would he want to work in the funeral field? “This part of my life seems to be the most interesting to other people. In the music industry, it isn’t that entirely bazaar to learn your favorite star worked for either a funeral home or a cemetery. Let’s face it, even Kurt Cobain dug graves! I began my funeral home career back in August of 2000 at Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, under the direction of Gerald and Cindy Hitchcock in Yerington, Nevada. Although I’m not a licensed embalmer or funeral director (yet), I have found plenty to do around the home. In the six years I’ve worked there, I have managed to learn the business well enough to run the place when the boss and his wife are on vacation. It is a very gratifying job, as I am able to help people when they need it the most. I won’t sit here and tell you I love every aspect of it. Digging graves sucks! Especially when you are the one digging them by hand, as we still do here in Yerington. No joke! Our county doesn’t seem to think we need a backhoe here in our cemetery, so, I am the Italian backhoe! If you don’t believe me, come and visit. I’ll buy you lunch, and hand you my shovel! It’s that easy.”
His view on one career versus the other is also quite spectacular in terms of his philosophy on life in general. “Each and everything we do in a day’s time relate in some way or other to both professions. Think about it. One can’t go fishing and not think about how wonderful life is. This serves as a powerful reminder when I’m assisting with a funeral, or meeting with a family. At our funeral home, we don’t believe in the traditional “funeral”, so to speak. We like to look upon it as a “Celebration of Life”. One cannot celebrate a life if they have not experienced it for themselves. In the musical world, the sound of the water rushing by me is in a musical key, as is the bird that sings his song. The mountains surrounding the river I frequently visit have such a magical power to them that one cannot help but notice them, and as the wind whispers its way down the canyon and over the small river, you can even hear its song. It is a composer’s dream, if you will. Just listen and the music is already written for you. All you have to do is write it down on paper.”
My last question for the Mortician Maestro was about his ideas on the future. Everyone has got a goal and this is his: “I would like to be in a position where I can help my family and friends more so than I can do now. I would like to be able to help my brothers pay for their college degrees. In ten years from now, I would like to say I’ve been back to Italy and met my family that’s still residing there. Other than that, I hope things are very much the same as they are now. My family living a happy and healthy life and music flowing from my pen.”
