Watch: CCM alum Kathleen Shimeta discusses composer Gena Branscombe and promoting equity in music
Watch the latest alumni guest lecture presented as part of CCM Speaks, a new series led by the UC Alumni Association.
In the third installment of CCM Speaks, UC College-Conservatory of Music alum Kathleen Shimeta (MM '79) presents "Bringing Back Branscombe: A Woman Composer Lost – Now Found."
A musician, music researcher and writer, Shimeta has enjoyed a singing career performing art songs, chamber music, oratorio and opera. As a strong advocate for contemporary American composers, she has premiered works written for her by late 20th and 21st-century composers. For over 20 years, Shimeta has championed the music of Canadian-American composer Gena Branscombe through a variety of projects that have been celebrated and shared in performance and historic venues across the country. Shimeta received her Bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn., and her Master of Music degree from CCM.
Lecture summary: This is the story of how the search for one art song — a setting of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem composed by a Canadian-American woman named Gena Branscombe — would change Kathleen Shimeta's career.
From that one art song a new and unexpected journey began. It included many interesting adventures such as a CD of Gena Branscombe songs; co-authoring and performing a one-woman show about her life and music; presenting Branscombe-themed lecture recitals and concerts; sharing her work through radio and podcast interviews; and ultimately co-founding The Gena Branscombe Project, a non-profit that honors the composer’s legacy and promotes equity in music by uplifting voices of all music professionals in the U.S. and beyond.
Shimeta took a chance by reintroducing Branscombe to the classical music world and championing a woman composer who was famous in her day but then forgotten. Bringing back Branscombe became Shimeta's mission and passion and she hopes to inspire others to rediscover, support and champion women composers, thus broadening our understanding of music history.
Produced by CCM Recording Productions
- Camera: Davison Black, Aislin Moss-Buckley
- Lighting: Aislinn Moss-Buckley, Annie Thompson
- Sound: Annie Thompson
- Editor: Davison Black
The second installment of CCM Speaks, featuring CCM alum Evan Gidley discussing creating connections through participatory art, is also available for on-demand viewing.
Stay Connected
CCM's dynamic and influential alumni network includes over 14,500 artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, researchers, leaders and professionals around the world. The support of our generous alumni financially, or through the donation of your time and talent provides an exceptional experience for our current students and fosters a culture of excellence at the college.
Are you ready to engage with CCM? Find your niche as an engaged and active alumna or alumnus by coming to social events, returning to campus for a performance or master class, volunteering, networking or giving back to the college. Continue your relationship with us beyond graduation.
Learn more about upcoming ways to get involved.
Featured image at top: Pan's Fountain in CCM's Alumni Gardens. Photo/UC Marketing + Brand
Latest UC News
- Hoxworth showcases leadership, innovation at conferenceHoxworth Blood Center had a prominent role at this year’s Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) Annual Meeting, showcasing its leadership and expertise in transfusion medicine, biotherapies and apheresis. The conference, a global event for the blood and biotherapies industry, brought together professionals, scientists and experts to share the latest advancements, research and best practices.
- UC starts adaptive athletics programProgram director and coach Jacob Counts spoke with WOSU Columbus Public Radio about the new UC Adaptive Athletics program that gives the opportunity for athletes with disabilities to compete in collegiate sports.
- Study finds use of prenatal cannabis may affect behavior of children laterAaron Murnan, PhD, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, is a co-author of a study that shows the use of cannabis during a mother's pregnancy can affect thinking and learning skills and lead to greater aggression in exposed children
- Discovery in Action Showcase spotlights UC College of Arts and SciencesThe University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences has hosted its first Discovery in Action Showcase, bringing together the wide range of disciplines under the A&S umbrella to show the community the hard work and research being done behind the scenes. Students, faculty, and researchers filled the TUC Great Hall with engaging poster presentations and immersive demonstrations displaying the diverse, creative work being done through the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Food pantry experience proves challenging, rewarding for UC studentsGraduate student Kindall Coley and Kassidy Meyer, a fellow nutrition and dietetics student in UC's College of Allied Health Sciences, spent last summer working for Pantry4Health, a service of St. Vincent de Paul Choice Food Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy.
- $4 million gift from Jay and Jyoti Chaudhry supports UC first-gen studentsJagtar “Jay” Chaudhry, CEAS ’82, ’83, Bus ’86, and P. Jyoti Chaudhry, Bus ’87, have established the Chaudhry Family Scholarship Fund with a $4 million gift to the University of Cincinnati. It will support first-generation, Pell-eligible students in UC’s Gen-1 1MPACT House, a residential community.
