Books and Music

Countway Concerts series brings live music to library patrons

By MIKE CAMPBELL April 5, 2023 HMS Community

1 min read

Nicky Korodi, a former Countway Library staff member, performed a mixture of pop and jazz music on cello at a recent Countway Concert. Video: Rick Groleau

Visitors to the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine may soon find the typical library quiet interrupted by live music from Longwood performers.

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Countway Concerts have returned after a three-year hiatus caused by library construction and the programming restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. This live performance series started in 2019 and invites members of the Longwood community to share their musical talents with library patrons.

Performances on the library’s lower level (L1) provide a soundtrack for patrons studying nearby.

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“I love to watch Countway patrons come out from where they’re studying to watch from floors above, or come and sit on L1 and immerse themselves in the music,” said Meredith Solomon, senior outreach officer at Countway Library.

Feedback on the performances has been positive, said Yasmina Kamal, outreach coordinator at Countway Library.

“We’ve heard from many attendees that they’re thrilled to have music in the library! I think it’s a great opportunity for people to take a break and decompress while enjoying the incredible talent we have here on the Longwood Campus,” she said.

While there is currently no set schedule, Solomon hopes to host Countway Concerts at least twice per month. Interested musicians should email countwayoutreach@hms.harvard.edu for more information.

“There are many talented musicians in the Longwood community, and we love when they share their talents with their colleagues and classmates by performing at Countway,” Solomon said.

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