In loving Memory

Related: Friends

by Castadiva13
Friday, July 03, 2009

Dear Fellow Bloggers and Friend of Quinn,

I thought I would take this moment to write a blog in memory of a dear dear friend of mine who passed away yesterday morning after losing a battle with cancer. Many of you Chicagoans knew him from his radio broadcasts on WFMT, I knew him as a mentor, a friend, and my strength. I met Norman Pellegrini on June 16th 2006 after having just lost a mutual friend of ours. He and his partner Donald took one look at me, though I'm not sure what they thought of me when I walked through the door loud and obnoxious. But regardless they sat down and told me to give it my best shot. I had never been so nervous singing before, or since. All I remember is that Donald thought I had great pitch and Norman thought...well that I needed a lot of work. Already I felt part of their family, and I am so greatful. I went, at that time, once a week. Each time I stepped through those doors Norman would walk out of his office with a brisk and friendly "How's it going Kid?", to which I responded "Not too bad handsome devil". He always got a great chuckle out of that banter of ours. Over the next few weeks I would become more and more inquisitive and began to ask both of them to tell me stories. Norman always told me stories of the people he interviewed and those whom he had met and befriended over the years. Donald too always has such wonderful stories, many of which I'd love to share with you all at another time.

About three months into my training I saw a posting for Auditions with the Lyric Opera Chorus, my heart leaped out of my chest I was so excited! I immediately called Donald and Norman. Norman answered the phone; "Hey Norman it's Annie, how's it going?"

"Not too bad kid, how's life?" "I have a quick question, do you think I'd be ready for the Lyric Opera Chorus auditions?" As I anticipated the answer I wanted to hear, immediately Norman answered "No". Although I remember trying to bargain with him, I knew he was right. There was no sugar coating for him. After all he had seen and met with dozens and dozens of singers from Dame Joan Sutherland to Yo-Yo Ma and so forth. I knew that when the time was right, and I was ready for the big leagues, both Donald and Norman would tell me. As the years went on I grew to love these men equally and appreciate them for their strengths. Norman had a wonderful and sublte sense of humor, and a contageous laugh.

At an auction I won a certificate for a 3hr session in a recording studio I was so excited and couldn't wait to tell Donald and Norman!!! It was a year after that, that we finally made it to the studio. Norman, who had only gone with Donald to record, came to support me. I damn near cried that day because he really believed in me and I was so thankful for that because we are our own worst critics and Norman was like that angel that gave me strength to believe things would be ok. Even in the unedited copies of the songs you can hear him giving me words of encouragement as well as telling me to knock off the practical jokes. Again I gave a performance a few months ago, but by this time Norman was visibly sick, and he was there giving me hugs and holding my hand . I am so greatful that I got to know and appreciate such a wonderful man who forever changed my life. He believed in me when I couldn't possibly believe in myself. When I told Donald and Norman about my learning disability they wanted to read and understand as much as they could. Donald even told me about Quinn's book and has also read it. Norman was a wonderful man, a loving soul, and a constant companion.