Zeta Tau Alpha - Gena Branscombe

 

In August 2011 I wrote of Gena Branscombe’s initiation and membership in three professional fraternities, one of which was Zeta Tau Alpha.  Recently an article from “Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha” dated November 1, 1941, came into my possession.

In the article are two pictures of Miss Branscombe that I have previously never seen.  The picture of her holding a baton; with intensity she is in control ready to give a downbeat, her performers’ complete attention is obvious from the look in her eyes.  Let the music ring forth.  She is performance ready; she’s wearing a string of pearls!

 

The second picture was taken on the evening of her initiation into Zeta Tau Alpha which took place in Edgewater Gulf, Mississippi. 

 

Gena became an editor for the Zeta Tau Alpha song book.  Not only was she a national initiate, she was actively involved sharing her musical talent. 

 

The article is biographical describing her family, education and career. 

#BringingBackBranscombe

 

Bayreuth - 2024 - Women Conductors

 

The glass ceiling for women conductors is being shattered this summer when three women lead performances of Wagner’s operas at the Bayreuth Festival.  YES!

 

In  2021, Ukrainian Oksana Lyniv became the first woman to conduct at Richard Wagner’s theatre, Bayreuth.  Wagner initiated his company in 1876 ---- it only took 145 years for a woman to conduct there.  Maestra Lyniv debuted conducting “Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)” and has returned this summer to lead that same opera.

Simone Young, the first Australian conductor at Bayreuth, will lead performances of Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” She is the first woman to ever perform those four wonderful operas at Wagner’s Bayreuth festival ---- 147 years after its founding.

 

French conductor Nathalie Stutzmann made her Bayreuth debut in 2023 leading performances of “Tannhauser.”  She returns this summer to lead an open air concert and “Tannhauser.”  

 

Congratulations to these three women conductors who have made an indelible mark on the music world.  Thank you to Bayreuth for helping to shatter the glass ceiling for women conductors.

#BringingBackBranscombe