Gena Branscombe, Canadian composer. Recipient citation for achievement Beta Sigma Phi, 1958. Member MacDowell Colony. Board of directors (honorary) New York Federation Music; Member numerous professional association, A.S.C.A.P.
Background
Gena Branscombe was born in Picton, Ontario, and studied at the Chicago Musical College from 1897-1903 with Alexander von Fielitz for songwriting, Felix Borowski for composition, and Florenz Ziegfeld Senior, Arthur Friedheim, Hans von Schiller and Rudolph Ganz for piano.
Education
Education high school, graduate Chicago Musical College (gold medalist). Studied with Rudolph Ganz, composition, Felix Borowski, and Professor Engelbert Humperdinck, in Berlin. Master of Arts (honorary), Whitman College, 1932.
Career
After completing her degree, Branscombe taught piano in Chicago from 1903 to 1907 and then took a position as director of the piano department at Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington. She left Whitman in 1909 to continue her studies with Engelbert Humperdinck in Berlin, and then moved to New York in 1910, where she founded the Branscombe Chorale. She received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Whitman College in 1932.
Also in 1928 she became president of the Society of American Women Composers and from 1950 she served as vice-president and director of the National Association of American Composers and Conductors.
She died in New New York After her death, her manuscripts were donated to the Music Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Achievements
Membership
Member MacDowell Colony. Board of directors (honorary) New York Federation Music. Member numerous professional association, A.S.C.A.P.
Connections
Married John Ferguson October 1910. Children: Gena, Vivian Allison, Betty (deceased), Beatrice (deceased).