A recent music outreach event was much like the elusive and selective G#m7 chord in a rock song – unique and a definite change of pace for those who attended it.
Al Pitrelli, the music director and lead guitarist of the world famous Trans-Siberian Orchestra, stopped by Thomas County Central High School Saturday, Oct. 21 to conduct a special music clinic. This is the music industry veteran’s second trip to TCCHS. His first visit was in 2011, and Pitrelli enjoyed the experience so much that he embraced the idea of a repeat engagement.
“I enjoyed my first visit so much that I knew I'd want to come back,” Pitrelli said. “The students and faculty both were awesome. I was a bit uncomfortable before I started, but as we went on I felt right at home. I'm glad I had a chance to revisit last week. I hope to come back again.”
Pitrelli’s visit was orchestrated by Audio Video & Production teacher Randy Young, whose broadcasting students were the recipients of the musician’s first clinic. Young said the program, co-taught by Kristy Maxwell, offers a unique opportunity for various media-related experiences and booking a guest speaker like Pitrelli is a big deal.
“You just don't get the chance to bring someone like Al inside a school, much less a public high school in South Georgia,” Young said. “As a part of 30 plus platinum records and the lead guitarist/musical director of the top touring band on the planet, he's at the top of the totem pole of the music industry. We thought it (the clinic) would help expand our students’ perspectives, especially in regard to music and media related fields. He speaks from so much experience and depth of knowledge and from such a 'keep it real' viewpoint it's hard for his words not to stick with these young people.”
Pitrelli calls Saturday’s clinic “a great afternoon.” He believes something must be created or learned daily and feels Saturday accomplished both objectives.
“I enjoyed my time with the students because they all were happy I was there,” he said. “More importantly, they were happy that they were there. I love teaching people who are hungry to learn.”
Pitrelli’s presentation included many important talking points but the most vital one discussed is work ethic.
“Students need to know that you can never put enough time in,” he said. “Hunger, perseverance [and] dreams are not enough. You need to put in the time. Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.”
Pitrelli’s motto is, “You can’t lie to the truth.”
“Preparation meets opportunity is my definition of luck,” he explains. “If you're prepared – truthfully and honestly prepared – great things might happen. The truth always comes out. You can't hide from it or lie about it. When an opportunity presents itself, the truth will come out.”
Though the stalwart musician wants to encourage aspiring talents, he also strives to be realistic and honest with those youths who attend his clinics.
One of the most realistic pieces of advice he gives people is “be truthful to yourself.” Friends and family “will never be brutally honest with you,” Pitrelli claims, so “you have to look in the mirror and be OK with the truth” whether this is good or bad.
“That will make you stronger and able to conquer your fears and insecurities,” he said.
Seating was limited and Yellow Jackets were given first dibs on slots. Approximately 40 people attended the clinic, including numerous TCCHS students and some staff members.
“The clinic was super cool and was a great experience,” sophomore participant Kelly Pledger said. “The clinic inspired me to do my best work and go get what I want.”
Junior Will Mitchum, who plans to pursue a career in Christian music or film, said meeting an established musician like Pitrelli “means everything” to him.
“He is the real deal and has so much knowledge that could help so many people,” Mitchum said. “I think it’s amazing that Central was able to bring him here.”
The clinic showed Mitchum that he can “make it big if I never give up” and he learned “to work harder than anyone else.”
Young is proud Thomas County students had such a unique opportunity and thanked Superintendent Dr. Dusty Kornegay for helping to make the clinic happen.
“Anytime you can spend a couple of hours face-to-face with a leader in any industry it's a good day, and it was clear his message of 'success equals preparation plus opportunity' resonated very loudly,” Young said.
Pitrelli’s previous 2011 TCCHS engagement was his first ever sit-down with high school students to discuss the music industry. Since then, Pitrelli has been inspired to speak on various other campuses – almost exclusively colleges – as part of his community outreach efforts.
Pitrelli said seminars like the one at TCCHS Saturday help him “give back a little bit to the industry that has given me so much.”
“When I see a light in a student’s eyes brighten just a bit, it makes me feel like just maybe I've made a bit of a difference,” Pitrelli said. “Students make me a better teacher. Everyone in my family were educators. Now I understand why. Nothing is more rewarding than to watch the student surpass the teacher.”
Senior Abel Mercer attended because she is a broadcasting student and is interested in pursuing a career in film and mass media. It was an “honor” to meet Pitrelli, Mercer said, but the advice she received “was paramount to anything else” she’s been told in her life.
“He was level with us the whole time,” she said. “He didn’t give us the usual ‘just work hard.’ Pitrelli made it clear that one has to work endlessly and care more than anything about what you’re doing.”
Mercer said Pitrelli’s definition of luck is “by far the best advice he could have given.”
“I get the feeling my life started with this meeting,” she said. “Pitrelli’s talk lit a flame in me I had no idea existed, and where I was confused (and more than a little lost) before, I know where I want to go from here.”