By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
Patrons sat silently in their chairs, listening intently to the high-pitched notes of the flute and the rhythm of the guitar as the Hillsborough Township Public Library continued its “Music in the West Wing” series Wednesday with an early celebration of traditional and contemporary Irish music in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
”This event is for people who want to come specifically for the event and for people who have just come to the library,” said Jean Hummel, library assistant for adult services. She coordinates the event with Joanne Golomb, who also works as a library assistant in adult services.
To celebrate the Irish holiday, Ed Saultz and Linda Hickman, of Jersey City, were invited to play at the library, and they sang and played their instruments for a crowd of about 20 people.
”I saw them play at the Somerville Street Fair,” Ms. Golomb said. “There is usually a good turnout for these events. The patrons seem to like it.”
The featured songs included ones about families, and others about life in general. Before beginning each one, the performers provided a short background about the song and its origins, either personal or historical.
With Ms. Hickman’s tin whistles and flute, and Mr. Saultz’s guitar and singing, they kept patrons entertained with Irish music that Ms. Hickman said “makes you feel good.”
”You know why this music especially (makes you feel good),” Mr. Saultz said to the crowd with a smile on his face. “Because the whiskey gives you a good head start.”
Ms. Hickman, who recently played in Washington D.C. during President Barack Obama’s inauguration, said she loves this kind of personal performance where the audience is right in front of her.
”And we love bringing this music to people who might not otherwise hear it,” said Mr. Saultz, who has been performing with Ms. Hickman for several years.
For the residents, attending the event was all about having the opportunity to listen to the music.
”This is very pretty music,” said Andrea Ulmer, of Pierson Drive, who attended the event with her husband, Dave.
”I wanted to hear some Irish music,” Mr. Ulmer agreed. “This is a really nice thing the library does.”
Ms. Golomb said they have tried to hold a different music event approximately once a month, but there is no set schedule for these events that have been going on for about a year and a half. In the summer months, she said, they are planning to hold several as a summer “staycation.”
”This is just another way of serving the patrons,” she said. She said having the event in the open area in the back of the library is another way to draw more people in who might just be there to get a book or use a computer. “The event is not in a separate room, so people hear it and stop by. They work their way over.”
Past music events in the West Wing have included holiday songs with harpist Jean Farnworth, music from the Hapsburg Courts and an evening with classical guitarist Robert Dopira.
No registration is required for the event. For more information, contact the library at 908-369-2200.
