Music Meets Drama

  NATIONAL LEAGUE OF AMERICAN PEN WOMEN, INC. - Linking creative women since 1897 The Santa Clara, California Chapter of the National League of American Pen Women invited me to give a presentation about Gena Branscombe’s involvement with the Pen Women.  On Saturday, November 5 th , I presented my speech.  I offer my thanks to Luanna Leisure, President of the Chapter, for the invitation and organizing the meeting and to the members and guests who were an engaged audience. Below is the link to the video:   https://www.dropbox.com/s/x0f1kbhsayzlu3j/NLAPW_Branscombe.mp4?dl=0 Enjoy!    

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

Imagine the pain a mother and her family experience when they lose a three year old child to influenza.  The depth of panic and foreboding tragedy that parents feel as they strive to save their baby, all the while knowing there is no hope, is beyond comprehension.  Yet, in early 1919 this scenario was experienced by Gena Branscombe and her husband, John Ferguson Tenney.  In late 1918 the entire family with the exception of Gena had been struck with influenza.  In January 1919, third daughter, Betty, and her older sister Vivian were particularly ill.  Today this outbreak is known as the great influenza epidemic of 1919.  In its wake, the epidemic took young Betty’s life leaving her parents, her two sisters and extended family devastated.  Grief is an animal in and of itself leaving each of us to find our own path to dealing with the loss of someone beloved.  In the process of mourning, we learn to move forward with our lives.  Miss Br...

Mary Carr Moore (1873-1957) One of the common traits among the women composers I have already posted and ones to come in the upcoming weeks is their ability to multi-task within their musical ability.   In addition, nearly all these composers’ talent was recognized when they were quite young! Mary Carr Moore was a composer, conductor, singer and music educator which made her a working musician of her day.   Born in Tennessee, she lived with her family for ten years in Louisville, Kentucky before they relocated to the West Coast.   California became her home base for the remainder of her life.   In San Francisco Miss Moore began composition lesson with J. H. Pratt and voice lessons with H. B. Pasmore.   At age 16 she began teaching and composing.   That same year her first published song was released for sale.   Having composed her first operetta, “The Oracle,” she performed the lead at the premiere of the work!   Eventually Mary Carr ...

In the early 20th century two women stood out as leaders of women composers, promoters of American music and in particular American women composers.   These women were friends and colleagues   ... Mrs. Amy Beach and Gena Branscombe.   Their intersecting lives left an indelible mark on American music and today's women composers benefit from the paths these two laid down for them.   Mrs. Amy Beach was born Amy Marcy Cheney in Henniker, New Hampshire in 1867 and became Mrs. H.H.A. Beach in 1885 when at the age of 18 she married the famous physician, Henry Harris Aubrey Beach.   She was a child prodigy on the piano making her concert debut at the age of 16 in Boston.   Imagine my surprise when I first met Gena Tenney Phenix in 2000 and asked her if during her childhood had she ever met Mrs. Beach?   Her response was, "Oh, you mean Aunt Amy?   No, I do not remember meeting her though I know she was in our home when we lived on West 82nd Stree...