Holly Creek Neighbors Spur Musical Renaissance

Posted: August 31, 2022

Community residents share their passion for music

Neighbors at Holly Creek Life Plan Community are soaking in the sound of a musical renaissance, started by two of its new neighbors. From performances by the best of local bands to informal concerts by their own neighbors, community residents are enjoying music from classic to country.

Just this month, couples two-stepped around the Holly Creek lobby to country favorites from the last several decades. The 7-person band Country Music Project performed in The Centennials restaurant at Holly Creek, showcasing some foot stomping favorites through expert fiddle and piano playing.

For those less interested in country swing, however, there are plenty of other offerings—including top-of-the line classical performances. When Dick and Sigrid Freese moved into Holly Creek Life Plan Community last fall, they brought a special companion with them—their concert grand piano. After his twenty years as classical musician, Dick Freese decided to share his piano and love for music with others in the community.

“When we were looking for a community to join, Holly Creek was looking for a new baby grand piano.” Freese explained.

It was a musical match made in heaven. The Freeses offered to loan the piano to the community for use in its Fellowship Hall, a common room used for gatherings and chapel services. It wasn’t long before they decided to donate the piano outright.

Now Freese regularly plays the piano in the Fellowship Hall. “When I am practicing, people come in and talk to me about their music background. Other people come in and just listen. It’s brought a whole new level of musical awareness to the community.”

Last year he offered a concert last fall featuring pieces by Beethoven and Brahms, and now he is also helping organize concerts by fellow residents to share their own musical skills—including piano, violin and others. The first was held in the Spring and featured seven community residents, including some duets.

For those interested in other musical genres, Freese helps select professional musicians for the community’s Cottager Concert Series, which organizes regular performances at the community including the recent one by Country Music Project.

“We try to provide a real variety of music,” he explained. “This last Sunday we had a group that played jazz, and the week before that we had The Hot Tomatoes, which featured early twentieth music. In November, we’ll be serenaded by the children’s chorale.”

Freese is excited that his love for music has proven just how many of his neighbors already share the same passion. This fall he also hopes to restart the community’s choir. Add in the bell choir and barbershop quartet, and the community music calendar will truly be brimming.

“I decided that I wanted to settle into this community permanently because it’s a wonderful place to live,” and he is pleased that his own love for music can further build and delight others in the place he calls home.