Scrapbooks
Finding the few surviving Branscombe Choral members as well as my acquiring the two Branscombe Choral scrapbooks has been a joy. Those dear books, one dated from 1934-1944 and the other 1944-1954, have been in my possession for over four years. I have gone through the yellowed pages of programs, letters, telegrams, newspaper articles, reviews, meeting agendas, mailing lists, and pictures all lovingly scotch-taped onto the pages of the scrapbooks. Branscombe Choral member Emma Davidson was the creator, keeper and conservator. The Davidson family lovingly protected the books through three generations until they came to me. These scrapbooks are filled with memories of a women's chorus created 76 years ago, then disbanded 56 years ago. A piece of history that impacted the musical life of New York City and the lives of the members who adored their conductor and leader. Touching the fragile pages one can nearly feel the vibrancy of life for those 20 years the chorus rehearsed and per...