'Musician mortician' writes composition for Minden centennial

Meet Aaron Pellegrini Jr., the "musician mortician."

The 29-year-old Yerington native said the nickname combines his two passions: his music and his profession.

Pellegrini is an associate at Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home in Yerington where he has worked for six years.

"That's pretty much my second passion," he said. "I absolutely love what I do."

Pellegrini, a member of the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra, has composed a musical piece for Minden's centennial celebration titled "Celebration."

The orchestra is set to perform the composition during a 1:30 p.m. concert July 2 at Minden Park.

Pellegrini described the 4-minute fanfare as "boisterous."

"There are two kinds of music, the piece that makes you sit back and puts a smile on your face, and the other that smacks you upside the head with a 2-by-4. 'Celebration' is the latter. It gets you moving," Pellegrini said.

He began the work in November and said "Celebration" has undergone 29 rewrites.

"The only reason I left it at 29 is that I ran out of time," he laughed.

He said the composition has a regal sound.

"It's an explosive piece of music that is fun to listen to," Pellegrini said.

He said the orchestra was doing well with the composition.

"One of my concerns was that the brass parts are very demanding. But it was so much fun to write for them. They haven't had any problems," Pellegrini said.

Pellegrini plays French horn in the orchestra which he joined at its inception in 1999. He began playing the instrument in the sixth grade.

He also continues the family tradition of playing accordion.

Pellegrini and his father are writing an opera about the early settlers in the Mason Valley area which include his family.

His brother's research indicates that the Pellegrini family may have settled in the area as early as 1863, coming from Italy.

Pellegrini doesn't mind the weekly commute to Minden from Yerington for practices and performances. In fact, he says he feels cheated when he has to miss a rehearsal.

"The people are an amazing group," he said. "I have befriended all of them. Rehearsal time is when I can get together with them and have a good time."

He called maestro Danny Yale "an amazing human being."

Pellegrini said he has written "several hundred compositions," some which the orchestra has performed.

"It's neat to have your music so willingly and lovingly played," he said.

The Carson Valley Pops Orchestra concert is part of Minden's daylong centennial celebration July 2. Other activities include a parade, children's games, Chautauqua presentation, and a picnic lunch. All events are free.

Information, Town of Minden, 782-5976.

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Town of Minden

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Carson Valley Pops Orchestra

www.carsonvalleypops.org