Terry Rappold, a two-time whistling International Grand Champion, will speak about whistling and whistling competitions at two Jefferson Parish Libraries: 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, at the North Kenner Library, 630 Esplanade, Kenner, and 7 p.m., Thursday, June 16, at the Terrytown Library, 680 Heritage Avenue, Terrytown.

This presentation is free of charge and is open to the public. Registration is not required.

Rappold will discuss whistling as a form of communication as well as its use in sport. He will discuss superstitions associated with whistling. He will whistle and he will help others who have “whistling issues.”

He has a theory about whistling. “Whistling, like all forms of music, is an expression of the soul. However, whistling does not have the advantage of utilizing words to convey the message or express emotion. Performers who whistle have to dig deep within themselves to bring forth the emotion the song is portraying. As such, whistling as an art is a deep expression of the soul which resonates with the audience. It is, in general, an uplifting emotional experience to the listener.”

Rappold has won almost two dozen whistling awards in international competitions, including being named Grand Champion, Men’s Division, in 2007 and 2011 at the International Whistlers Convention. His CD, “WhiSOULing,” was produced in 2007. He has appeared on numerous news programs, including CBS News Sunday with Charles Osgood in 2003.

Terry Rappold and his jazz group perform at festivals, community concerts, weddings, sporting events, funding-raising events, parties, piano bars, nightclubs, and TV-radio commercials. During the day, Rappold serves as chief executive officer for Premier Source Inc., Premier Hospitality Solutions, and Premier Stone Services.

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jplibrary.net.

In accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Jefferson Parish shall not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities. Library patrons that require auxiliary aids or devices or other reasonable accommodation under the ADA should submit requests to the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours in advance or as soon as possible. A 72-hour notice is needed to request Certified ASL interpreters. ADA Coordinator / Office of Citizens with Disabilities, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 210 Jefferson, LA 70123; (504) 736-6086; ADA@jeffparish.net.

The Jefferson Parish Library system consists of 16 locations that stretch from the Lakeshore Branch on the edge of Lake Pontchartrain to the Grand Isle Branch just steps away from the Gulf of Mexico. The library system consists of two large regional libraries and seven branches on each side of the Mississippi River. The East Bank Regional Library (4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie) serves as library headquarters. For more information, contact the library at (504) 838-1100 or www.jefferson.lib.la.us.