Music Meets Drama

Research on the internet is a luxury as one does not leave one’s home.   Enter your inquiry into Google and the information from the far reaches of the world’s libraries or other sources is right in front of you.   What you may not find on the internet then may cause you to venture out to an actual library where articles and clippings may not have found their way to the internet.   Small historical societies are a treasure trove of information.   Scrapbooks, articles, pictures and personal items have not been scanned to the internet.   Time, money and expertise may have prohibited these societies from sharing their antique gems.   Several years ago through connections in Picton, Ontario with Gena Branscombe’s family members and friends, I was put in touch with John D. Lyons.   John is a researcher with his own projects.  He kindly added researching Gena’s younger years to his list of things to do.   He has passed on to me census...

Twenty years have passed since I began The Gena Branscombe Project.  Exploring her music, recording her songs and piano works, meeting her family, creating a one-woman show and much, much more became my musical mission. Then three years ago, Dan Ryan, conductor, friend and all around wonderful person, discovered Gena's music by purchasing a copy of her oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny , at a yard sale.  Because of his purchase, a performance of the oratorio happened in April 2019 at Clark University in Worcester, MA.  As I have told Dan on a number of occasions, he was chosen to continue the work on Miss Branscombe's legacy. Our next step forward, thanks to Dan's creativity and hard work, is The Gena Branscombe Project website.  There is much happening in the future including an April 2020 concert in Boston of Miss Branscombe's music.  In addition, we are offering three scholarships in her name.  You can apply online. https://www.thegenabransc...