At the Santa Teresa Library Branch today, May 25th, two members of the Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose put on a duet for the benefit of the patrons at the library. Judy Yarbrough and Ann Spector played the violin and viola for forty-five minutes in the afternoon next to the tech center. Roughly five pieces of music were played, starting with a three-part piece by Joseph Heydn, and moving on to a piece by Mozart. They ended with a piece not intended for the violin called “The Easy Winners” by Scott Joplin. This last music was challenging, but they brought it off very well.

Although the announcement had been made over the loudspeaker several times, there were very few library patrons who showed up near the tech center at the beginning of the performance. As the music wafted through the library, however, more of a crowd began to gather. The Santa Theresa Branch was not particularly busy to begin with, but the gentle music overtook the stacks of books and brought a sense of calm throughout the library. More people came until the chairs were fairly filled. People looked up from their mysteries, their Facebook searches, and worrying about their overdue fines to listen to something different going on. There were few interruptions as people respected the musicians for the most part, and the crowed that had gathered by the end clapped with appreciation at the end.

This is another aspect of how the library can provide more than books to the community. The library is a place where so much more can—and does—happen. This was intended to promote a new event for the orchestra—“The Music of Portugal,” being presented on June 5th. Their music represented something on another level here in the library. In the company of books we found company in each other. We were all taking a break from our books, from our reading, and our computers. Anne and Judy invited us in through the music, and we listened. It was a delightful diversion on a dreary Saturday afternoon, and I thank them for it.