Music Meets Drama

We are hectic and over scheduled people who allow work and other responsibilities to rule our lives.   We take little time to step back, breathe and assess what is happening.   Maybe there will come one day when an unexpected opportunity arises and we question whether we should tear ourselves away.   Maybe we should take a step forward to do something that will bring us joy.   Thus it was Thursday afternoon, June 6th, for me.   A late morning e-mail from Gena Branscombe’s grandson, Roger Branscombe Phenix, said he wanted to go to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts to look through his grandmother’s music.   Should he call or e-mail to let the Special Collections department know he was coming?   In a return e-mail I explained you went to the third floor, requested the music and then waited to see it.   An idea came to me, “Would you like me to go with you?   I have some work to do with the collection.”   The answer...

Twenty years have passed since I began my Gena Project, as I call it.   Many of you have read and heard how I discovered her music, my journey through her life, co-authoring and performing a one-woman show, writing articles and giving talks about composer Gena Branscombe. Through the twenty years there have been countless people who have helped me, encouraged me, contacted me and been cheerleaders for the work I was doing.   As I look back, I have been blessed by each of these people, what they have generously given me and for their friendship. Very few of my Gena people had met one another and in some ways, they were compartmentalized because of their location or expertise.   Yet, each day I have been thankful for all of their contributions to my work. When Dan Ryan, Director of Choral Activities, at Clark University in Worcester, MA, announced he would be performing Gena Branscombe’s oratorio Pilgrims of Destiny on April 27, 2019, I knew that was the day ...

A message on my answering machine last week from Marguerite (Peggie) Biscaye Oury told me she had found three more pictures of the Branscombe Choral and one picture of Gena Branscombe standing on a dock waving goodbye.  Would I like to have these pictures to add to the items she gave in 2012?  Yes, of course, was my answer. Peggie’s brother, Pierre had called me in November 2011 and recounted his story of knowing Gena Branscombe and her family.  His fond memories of his mother and two aunts being long-time members of the Branscombe Choral were touching.  He even has the conductor’s baton that Miss Branscombe gave him.  See my blog posting of May 2012.  I called Pierre’s sister, Peggie, and we also had a lengthy phone conversation.  She told me she had Branscombe Choral pictures, autographed sheet music and a few other items.  She graciously sent these items to me for safe keeping and I assured her all these treasured possessions would be ...