Library will be site for folk musician

Jeni Foster. Photo provided

Jeni Foster will present a program of traditional Irish music and historical commentary entitled "My Grandfather's Immigrant Eyes, Songs and History of the Irish Emigration to America," at the Sisters Library.

Foster has had a lifetime of interest in folk music. Growing up in rural Montana she sang to the cows.

"Singing and reading were my favorite pastimes," she said.

She sang at weddings and funerals and entertained at family gatherings. More recently she has performed at libraries and Celtic organizations and for civic events around Oregon including the Sisters Quilt Show and the Sisters Country Fair.

Foster has also performed as a soloist with the Sisters Community Choir.

"My musical specialty is songs related to history and literature,which I found to be an effective way of teaching music when I was a music teacher at Black Butte School in Camp Sherman," she said.

This is Foster's fourth year as an Oregon Chautauqua presenter.

According to the Oregon Chautauqua website, "Chautauquas bring scholars to community places where people gather, such as libraries, civic centers and museums. They offer Oregonians a chance to come together to learn, talk, argue, and share their ideas."

Foster credits the Friends of the Sisters Library and Librarian Peg Bermel with the initial encouragement which began her involvement with the Oregon Chautauqua program.

"The first program that I did, long before I was involved with Oregon Chautauqua, was at the Sisters Library. I really appreciate the opportunity and encouragement," she said.

The presentation will take place at the library on Monday evening, May 19, at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

This program is part of the Chautauqua series and is made possible by funding from the Oregon Council for the Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.