Music Meets Drama

Twenty years have passed since I began my Gena Project, as I call it.   Many of you have read and heard how I discovered her music, my journey through her life, co-authoring and performing a one-woman show, writing articles and giving talks about composer Gena Branscombe. Through the twenty years there have been countless people who have helped me, encouraged me, contacted me and been cheerleaders for the work I was doing.   As I look back, I have been blessed by each of these people, what they have generously given me and for their friendship. Very few of my Gena people had met one another and in some ways, they were compartmentalized because of their location or expertise.   Yet, each day I have been thankful for all of their contributions to my work. When Dan Ryan, Director of Choral Activities, at Clark University in Worcester, MA, announced he would be performing Gena Branscombe’s oratorio Pilgrims of Destiny on April 27, 2019, I knew that was the day ...

On Saturday evening, April 27th, the Clark University Choirs under the direction of Dan Ryan will perform Gena Branscombe's dramatic oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny .   Composed in 1919, the 1929 premiere of this work was given in Plymouth, MA with the last known performance in 1940.  This performance will mark the 21st century premiere of Miss Branscombe's masterpiece.   The concert is free and open to the public.  Please join us in Worcester, MA at Clark University's Atwood Hall for what will be an exciting evening of beautiful music.  #BringingBackBranscombe

The National League of American Pen Women's Spring magazine features an article about their illustrious former member, composer Gena Branscombe.  Miss Branscombe became a member in 1924.  In 1928 the Pen Women awarded her dramatic oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny , their National Best Composition Award. The upcoming performance of the oratorio at Clark University under the direction of Dan Ryan, Director of Choral Activities, is mentioned in this article. Click on the link below to read the article. https://www.nlapw.org/music-feature-stephie-rae-grenier/renowned-composer-gena-branscombe-back-in-the-spotlight/ #BringingBackBranscombe

On Sunday, March 10th and Monday, March 11th, I was invited to Clark University to work with conductor, Dan Ryan, his chorus and student soloists.   To say the very least, it was two fun-filled days of meeting students, listening to them sing Gena Branscombe’s music, answering questions about the composer’s life and music as well as participating in the evening chorus rehearsal for Pilgrims of Destiny .   What a great job these musicians are doing to make the concert happen.   This is the beginning of a dream coming true!   Twenty years ago when I met Gena Tenney Phenix, Gena Branscombe’s eldest daughter, she showed me her copy of the Pilgrims’ score.   When I asked if I could borrow the score to make a copy of it, she replied that she did not want the music to leave her house.   That was fine and I understood. Over the ensuing years I studied the Pilgrims of Destiny score in the Special Collections section of the New ...

Clark University has officially announced the performance of Gena Branscombe's dramatic oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny .  https://clarknow.clarku.edu/2019/01/22/clark-choirs-to-present-21st-century-premiere-of-lost-masterwork-pilgrims-of-destiny/ Last performed in 1940, this oratorio gave Miss Branscombe an avenue to express her great passion for the understanding of the pilgrims' journey to their new country.  Filled with love, conflict and deep seated faith of the travelers, her rich romantic music is a reminder that the word composer is gender neutral.  Seemingly lost to the world of music by the mid 1950s,  Pilgrims of Destiny is brought to life in the 21st century by Clark University's choir directed by Dan Ryan.   Please join us on Saturday, April 27th. #BringingBackBranscombe

Please click on the link below to read a recently published article I wrote for the Association of Canadian Women Composers Fall/Winter Journal.   Entitled, "For the Love of Two Countries", the article focuses on the music Gena Branscombe wrote for her country of birth, Canada, and her adopted country, the United States.   Her song settings and her oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny  allow her to share her dedication to and love of both countries.   When the journal opens in your browser, scroll down to page 5.  Enjoy! https://acwcweb.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/acwc-afcc-journal-fall-winter-issue-2018.pdf Composer Gena Branscombe #BringingBackBranscombe

In May 2015, I wrote a blog entry about Gena Branscombe’s dramatic oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny .   There was a detailed description of what was happening in Miss Branscombe’s and her family’s life at the time.   Also, I had found an original 1929 piano/vocal score online and purchased it.   Please go back and read the posting. This blog is about Pilgrims of Destiny and wonderful news to share with you.   Pilgrims of Destiny will be performed Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Clark University in Worcester, MA.  Dan Ryan, Director of Choral Activities at Clark University, will conduct this work which has not been performed since 1940.   When I began work on my Gena Branscombe Project, it was always my dream to see that Pilgrims of Destiny be performed once again. Last year I received an e-mail from conductor Dan Ryan telling me had found the score and was interested in performing the work.  Several weeks later we spoke by ph...