By Joel Howard

In a generous act befitting the season, Infinity Hall and Yale Summer School of Music are joining forces to stage a December 9 holiday matinee concert to benefit The Norfolk Library. Headlining the event will be The Whiffenpoofs, the storied male a cappella group from Yale University, who will be joined on Infinity’s stage by The Quirks, the state’s premier female a cappella group, from Trinity College in Hartford.

Deeply rooted in the town’s history, both Yale and the library go back more than a century, each benefitting from the other, as visitors and residents alike find themselves drawn to both institutions for their beauty and creative serenity. More recently, Infinity Hall’s presence has added its own spark to local village life, joining the other two organizations in forming a triumvirate of local groups that seek to enrich the town, especially in creative endeavors.

Several months ago, a small group of Norfolk Library Associates, the individuals charged with fundraising for the library,  reached out to Jim Nelson of the Yale Summer School of Music to see if the school’s Whiffenpoofs might consider a benefit concert on behalf of the library.  The result is a wonderful blending of the missions of Yale, Norfolk Library and Infinity Hall, with a concert to be held this holiday season.

After a tumultuous year of fundraising challenges, one where the library associates opted to forego the traditional summer auction so that Norfolk’s Curling Club could stage one of their own, this concert is seen as a welcome surprise.  According to DeVere Oakes, one of the associates involved in securing the Whiffenpoofs, “This is a wonderful surprise and a generous gift for which the associates are very grateful.”

According to Jim Nelson, General Manager of Yale’s Summer School of Music, underwriting the costs of the concert was an easy decision. “The library has been an incredible resource for our staff and students. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’.”

Historically, the library has played an important role for Yale’s summer students, initially providing books and periodicals and more recently DVDs and internet connectivity. It has also served as a quiet retreat for students needing down time.  Students, as well as school staff, have always been allowed temporary privileges at the library, something that has not gone unnoticed by the university.

As for Infinity Hall’s involvement, owner Dan Hincks has proven to be an avid supporter of Norfolk’s institutions. “Supporting our local treasures and being active in the community is part of our culture,” he said. “The library is the heart and soul of Norfolk.”

The end result of this cooperative effort is a concert primed to brighten the holiday season for those fortunate enough to obtain a ticket.  The choral event starts at 1:30 p.m. on December 9, with tickets priced at $30 and $45. Additional information and tickets are available at InfinityHall.com.