Picton Concert - Performers' Reactions

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There will be many postings about the “From Picton to the World: Bringing Home the Music of Gena Branscombe” concert which took place Saturday, August 15 at the Picton United Church. 

 How did the concert go?  Below three of the performers, and, one of their mother’s, answer that question.

 





From tenor – Michael Faulkner who posted on Facebook on August 15th after the concert: 


“Earlier today, I had the honour of taking part in a very special concert celebrating the music of Canadian-American composer **Gena Branscombe** in Picton, Ontario.

 It was an incredible afternoon of voice, piano, violin, choral music, and even an audience sing-along. These beautiful works continue to live because of the passionate people who are dedicated to bringing them back into the concert hall—not as forgotten history, but as vibrant, living art. 

This is a truly worthwhile project to support. Beyond restoring the music of women composers like Gena Branscombe, the organization also provides scholarships and bursaries that encourage the next generation of musicians and artists. Now more than ever, we need the arts to enrich our communities and our lives.

 My own life is filled with gratitude every single day because of the power of music.”   🎶#BringingBackBranscombe

 

Michael’s mother, Gail Faulkner, posted three times on Facebook (this is one of her comments)  -   “Yesterday my son, Michael Faulkner was in a concert at Picton United Church

celebrating the music of Canadian/American Composer, Gena Branscombe. Many of her works have been published by a colleague of Michael's, Eleanor Gummer.  He is singing a song called Over Dreaming Children here. The whole concert was AMAZING! Piano, violin, solo duet, opera, quartet and audience! I am so proud of my boy!”   #BringingBackBranscombe

 

Collaborative pianist Ellen Meyer emailed her thoughts:

“I want to thank you and the entire Branscombe team for all of your hard work in organising this concert as well as the post- concert reception. It was truly a privilege to be part of your project. The earworms were slow to vacate my brain, as the songs and sonata were so tuneful. I'll be promoting them to my colleagues as they deserve to be better known.”

 





Annie Bird, Mezzo Soprano, emailed us:

“I wanted to thank you so much for yesterday’s wonderful concert. I realize that (as Dan said) you didn’t give me this opportunity, but without your vision of bringing Gena home, none of this would have happened, so thank you! I’ve really enjoyed working through her music these past two weeks and exploring not only her repertoire but her entire history. It is so important to bring back these unsung (literally) composers and show off Canadian music.”


#BringingBackBranscombe

 

 

 


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