Music Meets Drama

  Over the years of working on this project, questions about the address of the Branscombe home in Picton were unanswered.   Even the Historical Society could not seem to narrow down the address, though they knew it was West Mary Street.   During our walking tour on the day of the Picton concert, August 15 th , we walked on West Mary stopping in front of 76 West Mary Street.   Liz Driver, who led the walking tour, explained the probability of the house being the home of Gena Branscombe’s family.   Local landmarks were noted yet the question of “was this the Branscombe home?” remained. Several hours later at the “From Picton to the World” concert, Liz met Sheila and Wayne Van Soelen.   Sheila is a cousin of Gena Branscombe’s.   The Van Soelen’s have done extensive research into the Branscombe genealogy.   It was possible that Wayne knew of connection between Gena, her brother Clarence and the Jones family.   With more information at her disp...

The article below, written by John Lyons, pictures The Old Drug Store in downtown Picton, Ontario.  Gena Branscombe's father ran the store as well as having a dentistry office upstairs.  Click on the picture/article to read the history of the Allison and Branscombe families.   #BringingBackBranscombe  

  In late 2025 as Dan Ryan and I began preparations for a Gena Branscombe concert in her hometown of Picton, Ontario, we prepared a list of organizations, concert series and people we would like to meet.   We were hopeful they would guide us through the process.   Over multiple Zoom meetings we were met enthusiastically for bringing Gena’s music home and their help was offered without hesitation!   Speaking with Jessica Chase and Liz Fennel of the County Museums, we learned that in their collection the museum held a framed copy of Gena’s choral piece, “Our Canada from Sea to Sea,” with a picture of school children inserted in the frame.  That is the only item they had!  How to increase the number of Gena Branscombe items for their collection?   Over 28 years of working on Gena’s music and life, I have managed to collect or buy Gena items from E bay or Amazon.  Sheet music, magazine articles, letters along with pictures and memorabilia from Br...

  Will wonders never cease finding Gena Branscombe items?   This past week in Picton, Ontario, Gena’s hometown, Debra Marshall of the Picton United Church and Liz Driver, President of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario Picton Branch, were touring the White Chapel.   The Chapel dates from 1809 and was the original Methodist Church building.   Both Liz and Debra are helping and supporting The Gena Branscombe Project’s concert, “From Picton to the World: Bringing Home the Music of Gena Branscombe.”   What great cheerleaders they are! Back to the story!   Debra and Liz notice that a railing in the White Chapel has names carved or etched onto it.   Then, to their surprise, they look down and whose name appears etched on the railing?   None other than Gena Branscombe and Ted Hopkins dated 1894.   Gena was 13 years old.   The identity of Ted Hopkins remains unknown.   You have to look closely at the picture to make out her nam...

The Gena Branscombe Project has been hard at work scheduling concerts.  See the Upcoming Concert Dates on this flyer!  If you are in New York City on February 28, 2026 or in Boston on March 16, 2026, please reserve a ticket.  Those concerts feature the music of the original women composers who in 1923 were invited to join the National League of American Pen Women.  We honor these trailblazing composers.  We then have concerts at Houghton University and Picton, Ontario, Gena Branscombe's hometown.  Stay tuned for more! # BringingBackBranscombe

  Recently the Canadian Music Centre honored Miss Branscombe by naming her an Associate Composer.  https://on.cmccanada.org/earmark-gena-branscombe/ https://collections.cmccanada.org/final/Portal/Composer-Showcase.aspx?lang=en-CA Miss Branscombe lived most of her life in the United States, but, she was first and always a Canadian.   She was born in Picton, Ontario in 1881 where she began her musical training. During her adult life  she returned to her beloved home frequently performing concerts and visiting with friends and family.    The Bay of Quinte was her place of inspiration for water calmed her and allowed her musical creativity to bring forth her beautiful music. Canada was in her heart.  Gena composed works that honored the country of her birth; its history, culture, nature's beauty   and military.   Congratulations, Miss Branscombe…..a well-deserved honor.   #BringingBackBranscombe

  In today’s world it is difficult to observe the number of pianos that are left on the curb for pick-up that will then be destroyed.  Yes, there is a video online of a large furniture hauler hoisting a spinet piano into the back of a garbage truck which then crushes the instrument into pieces.  There are also countless pianos listed on E-bay.  From concert and baby grands, to spinets, uprights, old and new, electronic and more, they are for sale or offered for free if you come get them.  Are pianos becoming a musical instrument of the past? How painful it is to watch that beautiful piano be destroyed.  Maybe that piano had been in a family for a generation or two.  Maybe that piano was purchased by parents who saved for years to buy it for their children hoping they would learn to play.  Maybe they practiced every day, maybe not willingly,  but they practiced under the watchful eye of their parents.  Maybe those children would love ma...