Music Meets Drama

During the past year I have lost two dear friends….both part of my cheering section during the development of my Gena Project, the recording of my CD and my one-woman show. Loss is always a difficult item for us to face. As children we are invincible, as teenagers infallible, as young adults we know we have years to accomplish what we want – the world is ours on a silver platter. The years fly by and slowly we have reached the age where we notice those few lines on our faces, our bodies have those creaks and pains and then a stark reality, a dear friend dies. What happened to our invincibility, infallibility and the abundant years? So, I have faced this kind of loss not just once but recently, twice. Two lovely, strong women, individuals in their own right, supporters of the arts and music, and people whose footprints will forever be on my heart. I met Millie McGonagle while I was a student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. She attended student recitals and op...

Each day that I add another posting to my blog I realize how fortunate I am to have created and developed a project about a woman composer. As I write my story I often wonder if my readers think my narrative sounds like a fairy tale filled with unbelievable happenings and magical coincidences. My mission was to put forth Gena Branscombe’s music through the recording of her songs and piano works, then tell her life’s story in a one-woman show. This undertaking took countless hours of research at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, innumerable hours learning, practicing and rehearsing songs for recording sessions. I could go on about the myriad of details that made this all happen, yet each second of it was and is a joy for me. One of the greatest blessings of my Gena Branscombe Project was meeting Gena Branscombe’s eldest daughter, Gena Tenney Phenix, her husband, Philip, and their two sons Roger and Morgan Scott. From the first day Gen...

One More Member Comes Forward! Just when a person needs a small pick-me-up in life, something happens to put a smile on your face. In my e-mail today came the following message from a former Branscombe Choral member. Diane sang one concert with the Choral in Spring 1948. Look at the memory she has of that one concert! “Yes, I sang with the Branscombe Corale in the 40's. I remember the concert in Town Hall. I sang solo with them. I can't remember the name of the number. I do remember Gena in a red velvet gown with open back and a big bow. She always conducted her music from memory. That was a long time ago and I do not remember all the details. I know I'm on the photo of the group. We've all changed and the photo is not too clear.Just thought I'd let you know. As I am 85 years old, I'm not too sure how many of us are still walking the earth! All the best with your search. Diane N………..” I responded to Diane asking many questions and thanking her for contactin...