Library Cultural Series in Full Swing

The sounds of Johann Sebastian Bach filled the William Ehlers Meeting Room Sunday at the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library as classical guitarist Cynthia Cordi performed for a mid-afternoon crowd during the Friends of the Library concert series.  

More than 30 attendees were soothed by Cordi's solo guitar pieces which included Bach's Bouree and studies by Francisco Tarrega and Mauro Guiliani during the one-hour performance.

Cordi, a self taught guitarist since she was 12 years old, concluded the performance with the contemporary favorites Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel and the Beatles' Here Comes the Sun.

Friends of the Library Vice President Adria Pearlman said the concert series takes place on Sundays in the spring and the fall with two concerts during each season.

Pearlman said she was surprised at the turnout for the solo performance noting that big bands tend to draw larger crowds.

"This is a really great turnout for this type of music," she said.

Jazz musician Chris Coogan and Friends will be performing at the library on Nov. 2 and an Irish musical program featuring the Frank Porto Band is scheduled for May 2011.  

Library Director Margaret Borchers said the library is thrilled that the Friends of the Library uses the facility to host the cultural event series.

"They really don't get enough credit for all that they do," she said.

Borchers added the library will be conducting a book sale in the meeting room in the upcoming weeks.

Bill Ehlers, chairman of the library's board of trustees, who has enjoyed many events at the library, said he could not find a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

"It is a chance to hear some good music and meet some nice people," he said.

For information about upcoming concerts and other events at Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, visit www.ewml.org or call (203) 452-2850.