Music Meets Drama

Today marks 45 years since Gena Branscombe left this world.  Surviving her were daughters Gena Tenney Phenix and her husband, Philip, Dr. Vivian Tenney, two grandsons and her extended family known as the Branscombe Choral.    Gena founded the Branscombe Choral in 1934 and remained its conductor, composer and arts administrator until 1954.   Looking over the twenty years of Branscombe Choral programs one can easily see numerous women who sang every concert while others sang only a few concerts.     After the disbanding of the chorus, Gena wrote letters and notes to members sending them articles about her and her music career.   There were always good wishes sent to the members, comments and questions about their families and more.     Recently my friend Peggie Biscaye Oury, whose mother and two aunts were long time members of the Branscombe Choral, mailed me a note she found in her mother’s files which also included Gena’s New York...

  Six year ago the movie Florence Foster Jenkins starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant hit the big screen and was a hit.   Based on the play Souvenir which played Off-Broadway and Broadway starring Judy Kaye, both the play and movie highlight the life and singing career of New York City’s socialite Florence Foster Jenkins.     For decades singers and the public have been introduced to and listened to the recorded singing of Florence Foster Jenkins (1868-1944) which leads to uproarious laughter and head shaking disbelief that someone could possibly sound like that and be proud of it.   Her sense of pitch is precarious, correct rhythm was not in her personal music lexicon and phrasing did not seem to interest her.   Her recitals presented in her apartment or private clubs were by invitation only.   With over-the-top costumes designed by her and befitting the arias she was performing she added flowers, props and even some dancing.   Because ...

Where would we be without librarians?   In this day of researching on the internet it may seem as though a librarian’s job is something of the past, soon to be expendable.   Au contraire – think again.   A librarian’s job is ever evolving in our world of technological advances.   Their creative drive helps guide new avenues of dynamic research.   Keeping track of online creativity that must be held for future generations is their ever expanding role.   And, there are precious historic items not yet digitized and available online that only they have access to.     Most of all, a real, live librarian, through their experience and knowledge, will act as your guide and mentor opening new pathways of research you have yet to discover.     So it was when I was introduced to George Boziwick nearly 22 years ago.    At the time George was Curator of American Music at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.   At our...