New Rochelle Library 'Scores' An Impressive Donation To Its Collection

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — An impressive private collection of musical scores is now available to the public, thanks to a special gift to the library.

The New Rochelle Public Library announced that they received a generous donation of nearly 200 musical scores from resident Louise Edeiken, who is a retired music teacher and a highly accomplished singer and actress with a notable career in musical theater and opera. She is also an author, artist and gardener.

Edeiken had accumulated a significant collection of music over the years for her teaching studio, personal and professional use. When she was unsure of what to do with her collection, she reached out to the library in hopes of finding a new home for it where it would be well-used and appreciated.

"I was reading the New Rochelle library newsletter (which I LOVE!!!) and there was a question about whether people know that New Rochelle has music scores. That's what gave me the idea to call and ask if they wanted scores," Ediken said. "I think Brian, the librarian with whom I spoke, was a little skeptical when I called. But once he came over and saw what I had, he got very excited and ended up taking several boxes of materials. I am grateful the New Rochelle Public Library could take my collection and make it available to patrons who will use and appreciate it."

The library says that Edeiken’s donation of musical theater scores, vocal selections, and composer anthologies greatly enhances the library's offerings in the area of music, providing patrons with a wider selection of scores and resources to explore.

"We are incredibly grateful to Ms. Edeiken for her generous donation," Library Director Tom Geoffino said. "Her collection will be a valuable resource for our patrons. We are also thrilled to have added a significant number of items to our collection that were previously unavailable in any other libraries in Westchester."

Edeiken has performed on Broadway (Phantom Of The Opera, Nine – original cast), off-Broadway, and regionally at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Kennedy Center, Playwrights Horizons, Goodspeed Opera House, and the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center.

She often performed under Leonard Bernstein’s baton during the last ten years of his life, including the world premiere of Arias and Barcarolles, performances and recordings of West Side Story and A Quiet Place, and classical, operatic and theatrical concerts all over the world. Her one-woman show, "Bernstein - Broadway and Beyond," was performed to international acclaim.

The New Rochelle Public Library says that it welcomes community donations of materials that enhance its collections and programming. For more information on how to donate, visit the library's website or contact the library directly at 914-632-7878.