A powerful new musical work titled “Eternal Trailblazer” has been composed in memory of Gina Pellettiere, the Farmingdale High School band director who tragically lost her life in a bus crash in 2023. Written by acclaimed composer Rossano Galante, the piece celebrates Ms. Pellettiere’s life, passion for teaching, and profound impact on the music education community.
The composition will be performed this spring by the W.T. Clarke High School Wind Ensemble in East Meadow — alongside 20 other school ensembles participating in a special consortium formed to commission the piece. An additional performance will be held by an alumni band at Hofstra University, Ms. Pellettiere’s alma mater.
W.T. Clarke’s concert will take place on Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the W.T. Clarke High School auditorium. The initiative to commission the work and organize the consortium was led by W.T. Clarke Band Director Molly Tittler-Ingoglia, who is a close friend and colleague of Ms. Pellettiere.
“From the moment this tragedy occurred, we knew we had to honor Gina in the way we knew best — through music,” Ms. Tittler-Ingoglia said. “In our community, that’s how we grieve, remember, and celebrate those we’ve lost. Gina loved Rossano Galante’s music, so asking him to compose this felt right. He even asked us to send words that described her, and responses from her friends, colleagues, and family included ‘larger than life,’ ‘life of the party,’ ‘passionate,’ ‘hilarious,’ and of course, ‘trailblazer.’ When he titled the piece ‘Eternal Trailblazer,’ we knew it was perfect.”
The piece’s dedication reads:
“Dedicated to the most vivacious, dynamic, hilarious friend, educator, sister, daughter, and mother, Gina Pellettiere. Gina was a band director at Farmingdale High School in New York for 18 years. She was tragically taken from us too soon, doing what she loved most. Throughout her career, Gina met every challenge with unapologetic determination, always fighting for what was best for her students and her program. Her passion for music education deeply enriched the lives of her students and will live on as they pass that love to future generations. The music education community will forever remember and be inspired by her contributions. As a proud female trumpet player and band director in a male-dominated field, she set a standard of excellence. She was, and will always be, the Eternal Trailblazer.”
Photo caption: W.T. Clarke Band Director Molly Tittler-Ingoglia, right, created the initiative to commission the work and organize a consortium to honor her friend Gina Pellettiere, the Farmingdale High School band director who tragically lost her life in a bus crash in 2023.
Photo courtesy of the East Meadow Union Free School District
