Hoyt Safrit, M.A.

Appalachian State University

Universities and colleges--Faculty

Dr. Richard D. Howe

1987

Biographical sketches

Boone (N.C.)

https://www.geonames.org/4456703/boone.html

1980s

2000-2010

Associate Professor Emeritus

Associate Professor Emeritus of Music Hoyt Safrit (June 18, 1923 -), retired music professor, was born in China Grove, North Carolina (N.C.) to Gertie Estelle Foil Safrit and Albert Floyd Safrit. He has one sister, Frances Safrit Chapman, who resides in Livingston, New Jersey, and one brother, Albert Foil Safrit who lives in China Grove, N.C. Safrit began his music career at the early age of 5, singing "O Holy Night" at a Christmas Eve Service held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in China Grove. At the age of 6 he served as boy soprano at Catawba College (1929-36). He attended China Grove High School, where he was graduated in 1942. He received a performance certificate for Opera Studios in 1946-47. Safrit spent the summers of 1948, 1963, 1970, and 1973 studying at the Manhattan School of Music and the year of 1947 and summer of 1949 teaching in Marseilles, France. From 1948-49 he taught at Appalachian High School and Grade School. During World War II Safrit was in military service from 1943-46 with the 44th Engineer's Combat Battalion, serving in Europe. While stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he sang under the direction of the great Maestro Dr. Jean Morel at Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. He was tenor soloist at Chester Cathedral, Chester, England in Bach's "Magnificate in D", under the baton of Maestro Sir John Babarollie. Hoyt earned the B.S. degree from Appalachian State University (ASU) in 1950. At this time he accepted the appoint­ment to serve as assistant professor of music at ASU. In 1953 he earned the M.A. from the University. From 1953 to 1960 he engaged in private study with Walter Golde in New York and in North Carolina. In addition, he studied with Coe Glade in New York from 1958-72. In 1962 he taught in a private studio in Salisbury, North Carolina. While at ASU, Safrit served on various committees and numerous department ac­tivities including: recital and reception com­mittee (chairperson, 1950-62); NATS na­tional meetings at ASU (co-chairperson, 1952,1956); music library committee (1952-62); Appalachian Chorale (director, 1950-70); Women's Glee Club (director, 1968-70 and 1973-present); opera workshop direc­tor,1969-73; musical director and vocal con­sultant for "Little Abner," 1969-73; perform­ance seminar and department recitals coordi­nator, 1953 to present); and committee for symphony aria and concerto competition, 1977. From 1969-73 he served the community as judge for Spring Festival. He has also served in state activities such as: NATS, member and judge for 35 years; Federation of Music Clubs, 1975 last judging; MENC, 25 years; and Choral Direc­tors of America, 20 years. Regarding na­tional organizations, Safrit is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the Metropolitan Opera-New York, the Metropolitan Opera-Atlanta, Georgia, and NATS. Hoyt Safrit's honors and awards in­clude: soloist, boys voice competition, win­ner for four years. National Symphony, Washington, D.C. (1932-36); winner of the North Carolina Symphony Artist Competi­tion (1949-53); Voice Award from Vocal Studios at the Marseilles Opera in France (1947); Trustees Award for Outstanding Teaching from ASU (1978-79); Who's Who in Music and Musicians (Nov. 1975); hon­ored by St. Mark's Lutheran Church (Dec. 1975); honored by the music department of the Lutheran Church of America and asked to be a consultant for the New Liturgy in the New Hymnal of 1978-79 (1976-77). Safrit's professional accomplishments and performances of which he is very proud include the following: 1950-54 Mr. Norman Cordan (Bass-Metropolitan Opera) had an opera development program each week from Chapel HiU, N.C. ASU was in this program. This program received a write up in the national magazine, "Opera News." 1953-54 Member of the Greensboro Opera. Sang lead tenor. 1955-60 Held lead in "Martha." "La Traviata," "Carmen," "Faust," "Don Giovanni." 1946-47 & Summer 1949 Marseilles Opera. Sang leading tenor male lead in "Don Gio­vanni," "Aida," "Manon," and "Carmen." 195647 Signed with the Community Concerts Agency of New York. Performed in con­certs in cities including: Petersburg, Vir­ginia; Richmond, Virginia; Williamsburg, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; Char­leston, South Carolina; Summerville, South Carolina; Salisbury, (Catawba Col­lege) North Carolina, and Banner Elk, (Lees McCrae College) North Carolina. 1953-54 Member of the Grass Roots Opera of North Carolina. Tenor male leads in "Carmen," "Don Giovanni," and "Martha." Summers Served as music director for the outdoor drama "Horn in 1953-63 the West" at the Daniel Boone Theater, Boone, North Caro­lina. 1953-70 Director of music for the First Baptist Church in Boone, North Carolina. He is presently director of music at St. Mark's Lutheran Church which is located in his home town where his career began, China Grove, North Carolina. He has recently been honored by that church. The following para­graph honoring Hoyt Safrit has appeared in the "St. Mark's Messenger" (the church newsletter) on two different occasions. "Throughout the South and Eastern Seaboard, our Mr. Safrit is known for his oratorio, concert and opera appearances, as well as conductor of choral groups, clinics and opera; but throughout the membership of St. Mark's, Hoyt is known and loved for his warmth, his talents, his pa­tience and understanding, and most of all his willingness to share his time and ability with us. For this, we are indeed very grateful!" Sources: Personal correspondence, Appalachian State University files and "St. Mark's Messenger". - Dr. Richard D. Howe