1000 Women Raising Their Voices to American Music

One thousand women raising their voices to American music…..1000 women!

Imagine a stage filled with 1000 women dressed in formal gowns. How large was the stage? What music would a chorus that size be able to perform? How many rehearsals did they have to prepare for the concert? Who sponsored the concert? Who organized the concert? Who was their conductor?

Obviously, the answer to that last question is Gena Branscombe!

One of the centerpiece stories of my one-woman show is Gena Branscombe’s membership in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Her participation on the Executive Board for the Golden Jubilee Convention in 1941 that took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is told with excitement. There she was conducting a chorus of 1000 women singing her music. One can only imagine the thrill of hearing those women sing together.

This past November, Gena Branscombe’s grandson, Roger Phenix, said he had something he wished to give me. What family treasure could it be this time? Much to my surprise in that large box he handed me was the picture of the 1000 women chorus! From the original picture in his family’s archive, he had made me a copy. Surprised was I!

For over 20 years Miss Branscombe was an active member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. From 1930-1935 she was Chairman of American Music and Folksong Committee and a member of the Executive Board until 1945.

Women’s clubs were an important part of the fabric of women musicians in the early to mid 20th century. Where women composers could not find venues for their music in major concert halls, they found solace in women’s clubs that encouraged the performance of music at every meeting. Members performed for fellow members whether solo singing, playing the piano, chamber music or singing with the chapter’s chorus. In addition community, social activities and volunteer service were a part of the meetings. Club women were asked to promote the performance of American music by their local choruses, orchestras, opera companies and chamber music societies.

Through her membership, Gena was able to further the cause of American Music by asking the General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ members to declare 1934 “American Music Year.” She created seven music programs by American women composers and seven programs of “American classics” which appeared in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ 1930-32 brochure.

These programs included works for orchestra, piano, violin, solo voice, women’s voices and various ensembles all written by well known American women composers. Copies of the programs were circulated nationwide and encouraged the performance of music by our country’s own talent. Among the composers represented in these programs were her friends and colleagues Mrs. H. H. A. Beach, Mabel Daniels, Mary Howe, Kathleen Lockhart Manning, Mary Turner Salter and others.

Celebrating 50 years of service, the GFWC held their Golden Jubilee Convention in Atlantic City, NJ. Working one-year in advance, Gena created a program of music by Edgar Stillman Kelley, Haydn, Mozart, Mrs. Beach, Mabel Daniels and Harriet Ware. Music was sent out to the local GFWC choruses with instructions to their conductors as to preparation of the music for the concert. Gena also traveled throughout the country that year conducting some of the rehearsals.

With only one combined rehearsal in the Convention Hall Ball Room, the chorus of 1000 women, conductor Gena Branscombe, soloists John Gurney, Emily Roosevelt and Mary Frances Lehnerts performed a stirring and memorable concert.

Gena Branscombe is a treasured, historic member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Her leadership promoting American music is exemplary and she made a difference in the musical lives of women across our country. One does one wonder if in today’s world another chorus of 1000 women would be possible.

To this day, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs works to promote causes for the betterment of America. Their national office is in Washington, DC.

www.gfwc.org

Gena Branscombe's Life in Pictures

As I have written my blog entries, I realized recently that more has been said about my Gena Branscombe project than about Gena Branscombe the person.

When I perform my lecture recital, “Gena Branscombe: Her Life in Poetry & Song” after singing the opening song, I begin speaking with the statement,

“Gena Branscombe born Picton, Ontario, November 4, 1881 died New York City July 1977. Daughter, woman, wife, working mother with four daughters, pianist, accompanist, composer, conductor; founder, conductor, fund raiser and organizer for over twenty years of her women’s chorus The Branscombe Choral, leader of women holding executive offices in such organizations as the National League of American Pen Women, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, National Federation of Music Clubs, Society of American Women Composers, Altrusa International and more…..oh, and did I mention, she was the mother of four?”

Here in pictures is Gena’s life with a little commentary. I trust this will explain my fascination and dedication with this woman composer from one hundred years ago.




Gena Branscombe and her mother, Sara Alison Branscombe. The photo was taken in Picton, Ontario, Canada where Gena was born. Sara Branscombe was a poet and newspaper woman. Throughout her composing years, Gena set many of her mother's poems.....quite successfully!

Portraits of a young Gena Branscombe. Unfortunately there are no dates to these pictures yet look how gorgeous she was!



From the Summer of 1909 to June 1910 Gena along with her friend, Lillian Boulter, spent one year studying piano and composition in Berlin, Germany. During that time she had the honor of studying with the real Englebert Humperdinck. This picture was taken near his home. Imagine a woman traveling alone.....100 years ago. What spirit and what an inspiration!




The National League of American Pen Women's composers. Gena is in the back row, second from the right. Mrs Amy Beach is in the front row, second from the left. All the composers autographed this photo. These were the famous women composers of the early 20th century.




John Ferguson Tenney, Gena's husband. Originally from Methuen, MA, he was a lawyer. Gena and John met in Walla Walla, Washington where she was on the faculty of Whitman Conservatory. They were married in Picton, Ontario, August 1910. He insisted they live in New York City to further Gena's career. He was a dedicated husband and father babysitting his daughters so his wife could compose.



Gena Branscombe with her eldest daughter, Gena Tenney. Both mother and daughter were musicians. Gena Tenney went on to major in music at Barnard College, studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in London and returned to New York City where she was head of the Music Department at Barnard.






Gena Branscombe with her husband John Ferguson Tenney, his parents and their three daughters.

Gena's daughters Vivian, Beatrice and Gena Tenney.



Spring concerts for the Branscombe Choral were performed at Town Hall in New York City. This photo is from 1949.

The Branscombe Choral performing Christmas Carols for the communters at Grand Central Station. An annual event for the Choral.

Grandsons - Roger and Morgan Phenix

This picture taken in 1975 just two years before her death. She looks youthful at age 94.