National Opera Association Conference

 

Good news to share.

 The Gena Branscombe Project will be represented at the National Opera Association conference in Boston, MA, January 6-10, 2026. 

Emily Clements, the Project’s 2024 Composer scholarship winner and her co-librettist, Bonita Bunt, will discuss their original opera-in-progress, “Letters to Lily”, for the New Works Expo.

Dan Ryan and I will participate in the Poster Session displaying the history of The Gena Branscombe Project that includes our mission of awarding scholarships to up-and-coming composers, conductors and arts administrators, sponsoring Bringing Back Branscombe concerts, publishing the composer’s nearly forgotten music and bringing awareness of her oratorio, “Pilgrims of Destiny” as well as her orchestral works.   

We look forward to being at the conference and meeting all the attendees. 

#BringingBackBranscombe

Joseph Platt & Gena's Sheet Music Cover

 

Over several months of letters in 1922 were discussions between Miss Branscombe and Mr. Austin at the Arthur P. Schmidt Company of Boston.  The subject matter:  a set of songs Gena Branscombe wrote for her daughters.  She desperately wanted the “Un-improving Songs for Enthusiastic Children and One for Sleepy Time” to be published for the Christmas season sheet music market. 

Proofs of the songs were mailed between Gena and Mr. Austin.  With the Christmas season deadline fast approaching, there was a Post Office delay in the corrected proofs being delivered in a timely fashion.  Anxiety haunted the composer.

Yet, what came as a surprise in these letters was the discussion of who would create the sheet music cover art work.  When sheet music was the rage, the covers for the music were colorful and eye-catching.  A talented designer was a must!

Gena’s friend, Mrs. Elise Nevins Morgan of Methuen, Massachusetts, recommended her artist friend, Joseph Platt, for the job.  Quite surprised at the suggestion of such a famous artist of the era, Miss Branscombe agreed Mr. Platt would be the right person for the job.  

In 1922 the Arthur P. Schmidt Company would pay artists $25.00 to design cover art.  Mrs. Morgan offered that if Mr. Platt charged more than $25.00 she would pay the difference.  What a kind gesture and one that demonstrates Mrs. Morgan’s support of Gena’s musical talent and her on-going success in selling her music.

Mr. Joseph Platt, indeed, was famous.  He had designed the interior movie sets for “Gone with the Wind,” “Rebecca,” and “Lady of Burlesque.”   Industrial design, painting murals, magazine covers, office design and creating the Whitman’s sampler chocolate box were among his many commercial artistic accomplishments. 

And, he designed a cover for Gena’s songs!  After submitting several preliminary sketches to Miss Branscombe and Mr. Austin for approval, changes were made.  The final cover work was sent with a bill for $25.00.  Such a famous artist accepted $25.00 for one cover when his other work garnered thousands of dollars.

His cover art defines the four songs in this collection with charming sketches.  On the upper left of the cover are the three Maidens from Japan, in the middle Sprightly Mrs. Grasshopper and her friend Mrs. Caterpillar are having tea, then the misbehaving Birthday Party attendees.  The song for Sleepy Time is at the bottom with a child nestled in her bed. 

 

#BringingBackBranscombe

The Importance of Thank You Notes

 

For nearly two years the law firm Foster Garvey has worked with The Gena Branscombe Project.  A team of lawyers guided us through the process of becoming a 501(c)(3), non-profit, filing all the necessary paperwork with the State of New York, advising us on all the annual financial forms to be filed, copyright law and much more.  Their team was professional, encouraging, patient and generous with their time.

All the work I listed above was done pro-bono.  We were aware that every meeting they held with us could have been billing hours for the lawyers.  Yet, they showed their commitment and dedication to supporting us.  

Our initial connection with Foster Garvey came through one of my neighbors who approached partner Hilary Hughes asking if she would be interested in helping us.   A meeting was set up to discuss the needs of The Gena Branscombe Project.  Within days we met the lawyers who became our team!  We knew we had the best team of lawyers helping us through this legal process.  

 Recently, we wrote Hilary Hughes and our team of Foster Garvey lawyers a thank you note.  Yes, it was the old fashioned hand written thank you sent through the mail!  Hilary Hughes response to us was:

“Just wanted to send you a note to thank you for taking the time to send the team a thank you note.  We don’t receive those often, so they are greatly appreciated!  We were happy to be able to help!” 

 

Appreciative of our thank you note, yet, what is interesting is her comment that they don’t receive thank you notes very often.  When highly qualified professionals offer their knowledge, guidance and talents pro-bono, why would people fail to write the words, “thank you”? 

 

The importance of thank you notes….hand written thank you notes…..think about it.

 #BringingBackBranscombe