While the teaching profession is fulfilling sometimes other interests drive the passions of professors at Bucks.

For David Brahinsky that passion is music.

The full time professor of philosophy, professional singer and songwriter hosted a packed concert on Thursday, April 11 in Presser Music Room in the music and multimedia building at Bucks.

“The concert was organized by Professor Jeff Baumeister and (Bucks’) Music Club as part of a series of events,” Brahinsky said. “It was the second of a series of what we hope to become an annual event at this time of year. I did one last year also to a packed house.”

The concert was full to capacity of nearly 50 audience members.

During the concert, Brahinsky was a solo performer ranging from playing guitar, to singing, to playing the harmonica simultaneously.

The concert lasted roughly an hour, spanning a total of 13 songs from artists such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Brahinsky himself. Stand out songs included “Lucky Day,” by Waits, “Early Morning Softness Blues,” by Brahinsky, and “Halleluiah,” by Cohen.

“The purpose of the concert is to expose students to a particularly American style of singer/ songwriter/folk music that has prevailed for many decades in this country and to provide this kind of entertainment for faculty and staff as well,” Brahinsky said.

Between songs, Brahinsky offered up commentary on each individual song. One such example lies within his song, “Early Morning Softness Blues,” written in late August 1969. Brahinsky wrote the song around 4 a.m. in a dense fog on a porch in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“The fog was so thick you could hardly see your hand in front of your face,” Brahinsky said.

The audience was very receptive to the songs chosen by Brahinsky. On multiple occasions, the audience joined in on singing the chorus, especially during “Halleluiah” and “How does it feel?”

“It was very nice. He sounded good,” said Mike Girton, 19, a criminal justice major from Levittown. “I was really glad that I ended up going.”

It was evident through songs that are commonly performed that Brahinsky seemed to play in a more “bluesy” manner, playing slower and with seeming heavy beats.

“Oh sure, I was only there for a short bit, maybe a song or two at most, but from what I heard his illustrative lyrics were delivered in a gentle manner, while his playing underscored folk themes and changing times,”  said Rob Scordia, 19, aspiring music technology major from Fairless Hills. “He performed comfortably.”

Yet, Branhinsky was just as enamored with his audience as they were with his music.

“A performer needs a good audience as much as an audience needs the performer and I really appreciate it when people come to listen,” said Branhinsky looking back on the concert. “This is why I rarely play in bars or restaurants where people come to socialize with the music as background.”

For Branhinsky the music means the most.