Category: Collections / Finding Aids

The collection from Gena Branscombe’s compositions was given to the Music Library at James Madison University in 1993 as a gift from Gena Branscombe’s daughter, Gena Tenney Phenix.  The collection contains 32 items, consisting mostly of works for solo voice and chorus, as well as articles, photographs and correspondence papers.  The only instrumental works in this collection are three pieces for French horn and piano.  Two comprehensive collections of the published and manuscript works of Gena Branscombe exist in the Music Library at the Center for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center in New York City, and the National Music Library in Ottawa, Canada.  Smaller collections of her work may also be found at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., and the Music Library of the University of Toronto, Canada.

This is a growing collection of audio and video recordings documenting most performances affiliated with JMU’s School of Music from 1943 to the present. The original recording formats include u-matic video tapes, VHS videotapes, reel-to-reel tapes, cassette tapes, digital audio tapes (DATs), 16 inch. acetate discs, 78 discs, 33 1/3 discs, and compact discs.  As of 2018 all recordings are born digital and are preserved digital.

The primary focus has been on major ensembles, faculty recitals and chamber groups, Doctoral recitals, and special series.  Of particular note is the Contemporary Music Festival series of recordings featuring artists such as Donald Erb, Roger Reynolds, Steve Reich, John Adams, Joan Tower, and Jennifer Higdon (among the many)

Dr. Perkins attained her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Temple University in 1976, her Master’s degree in Education at the University of Pennsylvania in 1982, and in 1993 she completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education at Catholic University, Washington DC. Her doctoral dissertation, “A Comparison of Violin Playing Techniques: Kato Havas, Paul Rolland, and Shinichi Suzuki” was published by ASTA in 1995. It is used widely in music schools across the country. At the time of her death, she was working on her second book on string pedagogy with her close colleague and friend, Lynne Denig.

Marianne Murray Perkins studied directly with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan, graduating as a Suzuki Method teacher in 1985. She studied the New Approach with Kato Havas in England and the pedagogy of Paul Rolland at the University of Maryland. She holds a special understanding of the pedagogies of the three most important string pedagogues of the twentieth century and she built a reputation for her comprehensive interpretation of string playing technique.  This collection comprises her materials in her studies and teaching.  Some material includes markings and teaching by Suzuki, Havas, and Rolland.

While the collection is primarily about Paul Lavalle, it also provides insight into other influential people he worked with. These collaborators either arranged various works within the collection or are mentioned in some way. For instance, Joe Tarto (1902-1986) was a jazz tubist and bassist who was a longtime friend of Paul Lavalle and worked with him in the Band of America in the 1950s. George Siravo (1916-2000) was a composer, arranger, saxophonist, and clarinetist who arranged concert band pieces with Paul Lavalle. Bob Freedman (1934-2018) was a Grammy winning arranger, jazz pianist and saxophonist who was known for his big band arrangements and artist orchestrations. Peter Ecklund (1945-2020) was a cornetist who primarily worked as a sideman but also arranged/composed music. Jerry Herman (1931-2018) was a conductor, composer, and lyricist primarily known for his work with Broadway theater. James Burke (1923-1981) was a trumpet/cornet soloist who played with Paul Lavalle’s Band of America from 1950-1956. Al G. Wright (1916-2020) worked as a bandleader and was the director of Purdue University’s All-American Band. He also assisted Paul Lavalle by handling the marching aspects of the McDonald’s All-American High School Band.