I first started to sing in churches back in the early 90’s, I will never forget, my husband, also a singer, had a church job. This is normal for opera singers, because frankly, we are not gigging all the time.
So – the music director, where my husband worked, was looking for a singer to help out in the choir, so I said sure, why not, I mean, it was one step away from ...
My First Funeral
Betty Corradassi:
Born: June 22, 1921
Died: April 2, 1998
Betty, was my first funeral at a church in New Jersey. I was so nervous, and sad. In the beginning, singing funerals, as it did with congregants, family members and the like, always made me so sad.. I mean think about it,this is what is the monologue was like running through my mind, “oh man, this lady is the same age as my Aunt Linda, I love my Aunt Linda, oh now I am going to cry… don't cry, don't cry, be a professional, look at the lights above, think of anything else...la la la..who was on SNL this week, think of how funny Robin Williams is".. ok..this so did not work in the beginning.
It was a church funeral, so as you probably know, there is a full mass and then usually concludes with the family wanting something special sung after communion, which is usually Ave Maria - now I could get through that - but afterwards, at the very end, this is where it kills me – I have to sing a farewell song which just makes me cry.
But Betty was full of life, she loved her family and most of all, and she loved her church. How do I know this? Her grandson, Michael, told the congregation that was gathered in
the church on that cold April morning. He talked about all the great things she was and things she did... one of the things that struck me funny was that when he spoke about Grandma Betty cupcakes, with the best frosting in Westfield, NJ – Everyone nodded their heads and smiled.
Betty was a librarian, and she volunteered at church functions – basically she was perfect. Aren't all Grandma's....
Talk to you all soon....
M~
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