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Anyone who has ever heard Holly Addy play the organ or sing in Los Angeles, remembers the experience. So much so, she is often recommended for funeral services by word-of-mouth throughout Southern California.
As she's performed at more than 2,000 funeral services, her talents include organist, pianist, vocal soloist, and Catholic Cantor. She plays or sings every genre from religious hymns to classical, contemporary and secular music.
In her experience, she has witnessed the power of music to help a family start the healing process by getting involved in the process of choosing poignant songs.
"The trend for a number of years has been to celebrate a life and in truly celebrating a life musically, it is important to speak to what that person liked and enjoyed and what will bring the presence of that person into the service," Holly explained. "Right now I am working with a family whose father enjoyed Gene Autry and Sons of the Pioneers. Although the service itself will be traditional in its music - hymns such as 'The Old Rugged Cross' for example, the 'pass by' where everyone pays their respects will be a medley of 'Red River Valley,' 'Home On The Range,' 'Cool Water,' and 'Twilight On The Trail.' The daughter had chosen two of the songs and wasn't sure of what she could ask for or what was appropriate. I was able to suggest to her that we add a few more songs and make a medley, that totally indicated to her. We also are adding 'To Where You Are' which Josh Groban made famous. The words of the song touched both her and her mother emotionally and said what she and her family wanted to say to their husband/dad. As in musical theater, where words can't be expressed emotionally – say it in a song."
Holly personally speaks with every family prior to service.
"It is my operating policy to make a personal telephone call to each family that I am playing or singing for. There are several reasons for this. One is that we establish communication with each other. I can either confirm that I understand the choices that they have given to the mortuary for me or better yet, I can open up the choices and suggest songs and ideas that they may not have thought of," Holly said. "This is where the joy of my work comes in helping families create the music that they want that says the right thing for their family and for the service."
Serving a variety of families throughout Southern California, Holly has also had the opportunity to serve celebrity families.
"The most recent service I did was for the legendary actress/dancer Cyd Charisse. It was such an honor. For the prelude, I chose light classical selections - 'On Golden Pond' - 'Cavatina' - 'Nella Fantasia' - some light Bach and Mozart - songs that were melody driven and familiar. For the postlude, I played selections from 'Brigadoon' and 'Dancing in the Dark' which were songs from her films, as well as 'You Stepped Out of Dream,' a big hit by her husband singer, Tony Martin. The solos were: 'Wind Beneath My Wings,' 'When I Fall In Love,' and 'I'll Be Seeing You,'" Holly said. "I also played for James and Stacy Keach's parents services, Venus and Serena William's sister's service, Dihann Carroll's mother's service and a service for a family member of Ed McMahon and also Candace Bergen's mother's memorial service. If they were a famous singer or musician, their music tends to be played or have musicians that they've played or sung with. I played for the funeral Mass of a top Catholic composer and of course, we did his music."
With her wealth of experience, Holly has found there are popular songs that are requested for funeral services.
"For hymns, 'Amazing Grace' would have to be number one request. 'Ave Maria' Is second, which is requested by both Protestant and Catholic denominations. Others would include 'How Great Thou Art,' 'On Eagle's Wings,' 'Here I Am Lord,' 'Be Not Afraid,' 'The Old Rugged Cross' and 'Precious Lord, Take My Hand,'" Holly shared. "The most popular secular songs are 'Wind Beneath My Wings,' 'Tears In Heaven' by Eric Clapton, 'You Raise Me Up' by Josh Groban, 'I'll Be Seeing You' and 'Time to Say Goodbye' by Andrea Boccelli and Sarah Brightman. My personal favorites, which I recently sang and 'discovered' are 'You Were Always On My Mind' - Willie Nelson and covered by artists such as Elvis and Michael Buble and 'Softly As I Leave You.' These were both for a service of a gentleman who loved Elvis and the texts are so appropriate. Youtube.com has wonderful videos of Elvis singing these songs, just amazing interpretations of both songs."
Over the years, Holly has seen the trends for funeral music changing.
"When I first began playing services, families most often requested hymns of the faith and classical. Now - to quote Cole Porter -most 'anything goes'. However, if the service is of a particular denomination, the music still pretty much stays of that denomination, although a tasteful secular song can certainly be used. I always defer to the clergy," Holly explained. "Some of the Catholic Masses will allow a secular song outside the Mass itself, although if there is such a request, I always let the priest know and leave the final decision to him. But all in all, people want to have music that is meaningful to the family, whether religious or secular. I find I do a lot of research finding music on the Internet to accommodate family requests, religious or secular."
There have been unexpected requests that have surprised Holly.
"'The Chicken Dance' for a Catholic Mass and a song by Boyz II Men for a 101 year old Chinese Buddhist Grandmother – the grandkids were in charge of the music!" Holly remembered, "My very first service in Los Angeles had a request for 'King of the Road …Trailer for sale or rent.' The gentleman designed travel trailers. Most every family I've ever worked with has had a sense of that unspoken line not be crossed. If I don't think something is appropriate, rather than a blatant 'no', I suggest something else or say I don't have the music. One Mass comes to mind, the family wanted 'The Chicken Dance,' I really didn't have the music and really didn't think it was appropriate. It would not have passed muster with the priest or the mortuary. So we came up with another selection that was appropriate and everyone was happy. The only other times that I can't accommodate a request is when the family doesn't provide the music, and I cannot find it. I have many sources for finding songs, but sometimes a wrong title is given to me or it simply isn't available, so that's saying 'no' without saying really saying 'no.'"
In helping so many families say goodbye, Holly has been rewarded time and time again.
"The biggest reward is helping a family who is not certain what they want or what they can have musically and I help them find just the right song or songs for the service. All of a sudden their tone raises and you know you've helped them. And, also to sing or perform a song really well and know that you got that communication across to the family and attendees. Lastly," Holly added, "on a purely personal note, to find, learn and be able to perform well a song in a very short amount of time. One of the most difficult and yet most rewarding pieces was the Kaddish by Max Bruch for cello and organ. It is a virtuoso piece for each instrument and you have to be in perfect sync and communication with each other. The particular service that this was played at was filled with classical selections that I played with the cellist and violinist. As I mentioned - difficult, but very rewarding."
Holly reminds families that music in a funeral service can communicate emotions we cannot.
"It can make the tears flow, but don't be afraid of this. You are saying that you loved someone and this is a step to begin the healing process of the loss. As much as the music can express unspoken deep emotional thoughts, it can also put a smile on the face of those who attend the service. You certainly know the 'USC Fight Song' was a huge part of someone's being a fan of USC Football - 'The Yellow Rose of Texas' - 'Georgia On My Mind' - 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' and so on - these are some of the songs I've played at the end of a service that are very personal and lift the mood of the people attending knowing it speaks of their friend or loved one. Being a funeral musician is a specific skill. I am proud of my profession. People ask me: 'how can you do that?' Very easy. You are providing a service for families and providing music that they need and want at a very sensitive and emotional time in their lives. "
For such a talented musician and vocal soloist such as Holly, music is an incredible way to say something powerful by capturing a special sentiment in a funeral service.
"Music is a gift because at a time when emotions are raw and it is difficult to express what you want to say, a song can be that communication and thus a gift.....'You Were Always On My Mind' - 'Softly I will Leave You' - 'You Were My Hero' - 'I'll Be Seeing You,' 'How Great Thou Art'... the song says it all."
Holly has taken several courses in Grief Counseling as well as studied funeral customs of different cultures. She has played for and served families of different ethnicities and cultures. She has also played all Protestant denominations, Roman and Maronite, Catholic, Buddhist, Armenian, and services in Spanish, Korean, as well as Jewish, LDS and many other denominations.
Holly Addy performs throughout Southern California for weddings, funerals and special events. For more information visit www.musicbyholly.com.
As she's performed at more than 2,000 funeral services, her talents include organist, pianist, vocal soloist, and Catholic Cantor. She plays or sings every genre from religious hymns to classical, contemporary and secular music.
In her experience, she has witnessed the power of music to help a family start the healing process by getting involved in the process of choosing poignant songs.
"The trend for a number of years has been to celebrate a life and in truly celebrating a life musically, it is important to speak to what that person liked and enjoyed and what will bring the presence of that person into the service," Holly explained. "Right now I am working with a family whose father enjoyed Gene Autry and Sons of the Pioneers. Although the service itself will be traditional in its music - hymns such as 'The Old Rugged Cross' for example, the 'pass by' where everyone pays their respects will be a medley of 'Red River Valley,' 'Home On The Range,' 'Cool Water,' and 'Twilight On The Trail.' The daughter had chosen two of the songs and wasn't sure of what she could ask for or what was appropriate. I was able to suggest to her that we add a few more songs and make a medley, that totally indicated to her. We also are adding 'To Where You Are' which Josh Groban made famous. The words of the song touched both her and her mother emotionally and said what she and her family wanted to say to their husband/dad. As in musical theater, where words can't be expressed emotionally – say it in a song."
Holly personally speaks with every family prior to service.
"It is my operating policy to make a personal telephone call to each family that I am playing or singing for. There are several reasons for this. One is that we establish communication with each other. I can either confirm that I understand the choices that they have given to the mortuary for me or better yet, I can open up the choices and suggest songs and ideas that they may not have thought of," Holly said. "This is where the joy of my work comes in helping families create the music that they want that says the right thing for their family and for the service."
Serving a variety of families throughout Southern California, Holly has also had the opportunity to serve celebrity families.
"The most recent service I did was for the legendary actress/dancer Cyd Charisse. It was such an honor. For the prelude, I chose light classical selections - 'On Golden Pond' - 'Cavatina' - 'Nella Fantasia' - some light Bach and Mozart - songs that were melody driven and familiar. For the postlude, I played selections from 'Brigadoon' and 'Dancing in the Dark' which were songs from her films, as well as 'You Stepped Out of Dream,' a big hit by her husband singer, Tony Martin. The solos were: 'Wind Beneath My Wings,' 'When I Fall In Love,' and 'I'll Be Seeing You,'" Holly said. "I also played for James and Stacy Keach's parents services, Venus and Serena William's sister's service, Dihann Carroll's mother's service and a service for a family member of Ed McMahon and also Candace Bergen's mother's memorial service. If they were a famous singer or musician, their music tends to be played or have musicians that they've played or sung with. I played for the funeral Mass of a top Catholic composer and of course, we did his music."
With her wealth of experience, Holly has found there are popular songs that are requested for funeral services.
"For hymns, 'Amazing Grace' would have to be number one request. 'Ave Maria' Is second, which is requested by both Protestant and Catholic denominations. Others would include 'How Great Thou Art,' 'On Eagle's Wings,' 'Here I Am Lord,' 'Be Not Afraid,' 'The Old Rugged Cross' and 'Precious Lord, Take My Hand,'" Holly shared. "The most popular secular songs are 'Wind Beneath My Wings,' 'Tears In Heaven' by Eric Clapton, 'You Raise Me Up' by Josh Groban, 'I'll Be Seeing You' and 'Time to Say Goodbye' by Andrea Boccelli and Sarah Brightman. My personal favorites, which I recently sang and 'discovered' are 'You Were Always On My Mind' - Willie Nelson and covered by artists such as Elvis and Michael Buble and 'Softly As I Leave You.' These were both for a service of a gentleman who loved Elvis and the texts are so appropriate. Youtube.com has wonderful videos of Elvis singing these songs, just amazing interpretations of both songs."
Over the years, Holly has seen the trends for funeral music changing.
"When I first began playing services, families most often requested hymns of the faith and classical. Now - to quote Cole Porter -most 'anything goes'. However, if the service is of a particular denomination, the music still pretty much stays of that denomination, although a tasteful secular song can certainly be used. I always defer to the clergy," Holly explained. "Some of the Catholic Masses will allow a secular song outside the Mass itself, although if there is such a request, I always let the priest know and leave the final decision to him. But all in all, people want to have music that is meaningful to the family, whether religious or secular. I find I do a lot of research finding music on the Internet to accommodate family requests, religious or secular."
There have been unexpected requests that have surprised Holly.
"'The Chicken Dance' for a Catholic Mass and a song by Boyz II Men for a 101 year old Chinese Buddhist Grandmother – the grandkids were in charge of the music!" Holly remembered, "My very first service in Los Angeles had a request for 'King of the Road …Trailer for sale or rent.' The gentleman designed travel trailers. Most every family I've ever worked with has had a sense of that unspoken line not be crossed. If I don't think something is appropriate, rather than a blatant 'no', I suggest something else or say I don't have the music. One Mass comes to mind, the family wanted 'The Chicken Dance,' I really didn't have the music and really didn't think it was appropriate. It would not have passed muster with the priest or the mortuary. So we came up with another selection that was appropriate and everyone was happy. The only other times that I can't accommodate a request is when the family doesn't provide the music, and I cannot find it. I have many sources for finding songs, but sometimes a wrong title is given to me or it simply isn't available, so that's saying 'no' without saying really saying 'no.'"
In helping so many families say goodbye, Holly has been rewarded time and time again.
"The biggest reward is helping a family who is not certain what they want or what they can have musically and I help them find just the right song or songs for the service. All of a sudden their tone raises and you know you've helped them. And, also to sing or perform a song really well and know that you got that communication across to the family and attendees. Lastly," Holly added, "on a purely personal note, to find, learn and be able to perform well a song in a very short amount of time. One of the most difficult and yet most rewarding pieces was the Kaddish by Max Bruch for cello and organ. It is a virtuoso piece for each instrument and you have to be in perfect sync and communication with each other. The particular service that this was played at was filled with classical selections that I played with the cellist and violinist. As I mentioned - difficult, but very rewarding."
Holly reminds families that music in a funeral service can communicate emotions we cannot.
"It can make the tears flow, but don't be afraid of this. You are saying that you loved someone and this is a step to begin the healing process of the loss. As much as the music can express unspoken deep emotional thoughts, it can also put a smile on the face of those who attend the service. You certainly know the 'USC Fight Song' was a huge part of someone's being a fan of USC Football - 'The Yellow Rose of Texas' - 'Georgia On My Mind' - 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' and so on - these are some of the songs I've played at the end of a service that are very personal and lift the mood of the people attending knowing it speaks of their friend or loved one. Being a funeral musician is a specific skill. I am proud of my profession. People ask me: 'how can you do that?' Very easy. You are providing a service for families and providing music that they need and want at a very sensitive and emotional time in their lives. "
For such a talented musician and vocal soloist such as Holly, music is an incredible way to say something powerful by capturing a special sentiment in a funeral service.
"Music is a gift because at a time when emotions are raw and it is difficult to express what you want to say, a song can be that communication and thus a gift.....'You Were Always On My Mind' - 'Softly I will Leave You' - 'You Were My Hero' - 'I'll Be Seeing You,' 'How Great Thou Art'... the song says it all."
Holly has taken several courses in Grief Counseling as well as studied funeral customs of different cultures. She has played for and served families of different ethnicities and cultures. She has also played all Protestant denominations, Roman and Maronite, Catholic, Buddhist, Armenian, and services in Spanish, Korean, as well as Jewish, LDS and many other denominations.
Holly Addy performs throughout Southern California for weddings, funerals and special events. For more information visit www.musicbyholly.com.
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