Music Meets Drama

  Interlochen Public Radio (IPR) broadcast Scene VI of Gena Branscombe's dramatic oratorio "Pilgrims of Destiny" during the week of July 4th.    Gena Branscombe, with colorful orchestration, her own words set in beautiful vocal lines, proclaims the pilgrims' joy as they  site their new found home "AMERICA."  Enjoy listening and watching this video from the Clark University Concert Choir, Orchestra and Soloists performance from April 2019!   And, many thanks to IPR for broadcasting the finale of Gena Branscombe's  "Pilgrims of Destiny."   #BringingBackBranscombe

With special thanks to Dr. Liane Curtis of the Women's Philharmonic Advocacy for the opportunity to author an article promoting Gena Branscombe's instrumental works.  The mission of The Gena Branscombe Project is to encourage performances of these works. Spread the word that these scores are available!  Enjoy the read! https://wophil.org/composer-gena-branscombe-exploring-her-music-with-orchestra/?doing_wp_cron=1752931492.9277789592742919921875   #BringingBackBranscombe

  T hank you to the Boston Landmarks Orchestra for creating and making available this video about Gena Branscombe!  Click on the hyperlink below.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59uVv5awSQA With Miss Branscombe's close ties to Boston, I hope that some day the orchestra will program her "Pilgrims of Destiny."   #BringingBackBranscombe

Where would we be without librarians?   In this day of researching on the internet it may seem as though a librarian’s job is something of the past, soon to be expendable.   Au contraire – think again.   A librarian’s job is ever evolving in our world of technological advances.   Their creative drive helps guide new avenues of dynamic research.   Keeping track of online creativity that must be held for future generations is their ever expanding role.   And, there are precious historic items not yet digitized and available online that only they have access to.     Most of all, a real, live librarian, through their experience and knowledge, will act as your guide and mentor opening new pathways of research you have yet to discover.     So it was when I was introduced to George Boziwick nearly 22 years ago.    At the time George was Curator of American Music at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.   At our...

  This time of year brings on a flurry of shopping for gifts to be given to children, parents, friends and colleagues.   The expectation of finding the correct item is great and the expectation of what we hope we will receive is even greater.   What a rut we have created for an act that should be from a loving heart.   Researching the definition of a “gift” I found numerous meanings.   The most common would be giving or donating of a thing to someone or an organization voluntarily without payment in return.     Next comes the mention of a natural talent which I, of course, think of the gift of music.     In my years of working as a performer, it was my inherent musical gift that I then gave to an audience who would receive my personal message.   That also is a gift.     I have said that discovering the music and life of Gena Branscombe was and continues to be one of the most unexpected, surprising gifts to my musica...

Twenty years have passed since I began The Gena Branscombe Project.  Exploring her music, recording her songs and piano works, meeting her family, creating a one-woman show and much, much more became my musical mission. Then three years ago, Dan Ryan, conductor, friend and all around wonderful person, discovered Gena's music by purchasing a copy of her oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny , at a yard sale.  Because of his purchase, a performance of the oratorio happened in April 2019 at Clark University in Worcester, MA.  As I have told Dan on a number of occasions, he was chosen to continue the work on Miss Branscombe's legacy. Our next step forward, thanks to Dan's creativity and hard work, is The Gena Branscombe Project website.  There is much happening in the future including an April 2020 concert in Boston of Miss Branscombe's music.  In addition, we are offering three scholarships in her name.  You can apply online. https://www.thegenabransc...

One year ago the Association of Canadian Women Composers invited me to write an article about Gena Branscombe.  The article "For the Love of Two Countries" was published in their Fall 2018 journal.   This year I was asked to write a follow-up article about the April 2019 concert of Miss Branscombe's dramatic oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny .  Below is the hyperlink to the Journal with the article on page 12.   https://acwcweb.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/acwc_afcc-journal-fall-2019_winter-2020.pdf Miss Branscombe's music is now firmly placed in the 21st century.  #BringingBackBranscombe

In late April, Wendi Maloney of the Library of Congress e-mailed to ask if I would be willing to be interviewed about my work on the music and life of Gena Branscombe.  Most important, was the work on reviving Miss Branscombe's dramatic oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny .  Below is the hyperlink to the interview. https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2019/07/inquiring-minds-rediscovering-one-of-americas-leading-songwriters/ Over the past 20 years, it has been my honor to work on Gena's music and life.  There is more to come in the future - stay tuned! #BringingBackBranscombe

We are hectic and over scheduled people who allow work and other responsibilities to rule our lives.   We take little time to step back, breathe and assess what is happening.   Maybe there will come one day when an unexpected opportunity arises and we question whether we should tear ourselves away.   Maybe we should take a step forward to do something that will bring us joy.   Thus it was Thursday afternoon, June 6th, for me.   A late morning e-mail from Gena Branscombe’s grandson, Roger Branscombe Phenix, said he wanted to go to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts to look through his grandmother’s music.   Should he call or e-mail to let the Special Collections department know he was coming?   In a return e-mail I explained you went to the third floor, requested the music and then waited to see it.   An idea came to me, “Would you like me to go with you?   I have some work to do with the collection.”   The answer...

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 ...

Richard Duckett of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette wrote a feature article about this Saturday's performance of Gena Branscombe's dramatic oratorio, Pilgrims of Destiny.   Conducted by Dan Ryan, Director of Choral Activities at Clark University, the concert includes the Clark University choirs, soloists, children's choir and orchestra.  A woman composer's award winning work will have its first performance in the 21st century! https://www.telegram.com/entertainmentlife/20190420/rediscovered-choral-drama-by-woman-composer-to-be-performed-at-clark-university-in-worcester #BringingBackBranscombe

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 ...

Below is the hyperlink to the Pilgrims of Destiny blog.  The students at Clark University led by their conductor, Dan Ryan, are preparing for the upcoming April concert of this beautiful and historical piece of music.  I love their hashtag  #BringBackBranscombe!   When you read the blog, click on the "FOLLOWERS" button.  You'll be notified when new blogs are posted.  You will get updates on their rehearsals and more. http://pilgrimsofdestiny.blogspot.com Last evening via Skype, I was able to see and listen to their rehearsal.  Dan Ryan is preparing his students for April's performance.  It will be special  Great job, Dan!   #Bringing BackBranscombe

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...

Arriving in New York City in late February 1980, finding a voice teacher was a top priority for me.  Through recommendations of friends and colleagues, I called Miss Ellen Repp who lived near Lincoln Center.  Her resonant and warm voice answered the phone, “Hello, Repp here!”  That was a bit of a surprise way to answer the phone.  I quickly learned she always answered her phone calls with, “Repp here” or if she called me she would say, “Kathy? Repp here”.  Amusing and quite telling of her humorous warm personality. Our conversation proceeded when I introduced myself, explained who recommended her as a teacher and then asked if I may please audition for her voice studio.  A time was agreed upon for a week later and I was assured she would have a pianist on hand to play for me.  I arrived at Miss Repp’s apartment, knocked on the door and was greeted by a woman in her 70s with red hair beautifully arranged on the top of her head, dressed elegan...