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Legacy Scholarships

The Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University enjoys a rich tradition of excellence in teaching and musical performance.  Central to the success of the Appalachian State music graduate is the influence, guidance, and instruction provided by our faculty. 

Appalachian State University, the School of Music, and our graduates have enjoyed and reaped the benefits of incredibly devoted and influential faculty; many of whom became lifelong mentors and friends.   So influential and important in the lives of many, various faculty have been recognized with the creation of Legacy Scholarships.  These scholarships reward and assist music students while simultaneously acknowledging the contribution of the specific faculty member. 

While these Legacy Scholarships have been established and proceeds are used to make scholarship awards, the earning power of these scholarship funds can only increase when contributions to the principle are made.  In an effort to increase the principle and celebrate the memory and influence of the faculty, the Hayes School of Music ask for your financial support on behalf of future Appalachian musicians. 

Please consider a donation to one of the Legacy Scholarships. Make a gift through our secure online giving web site, at www.givenow.appstate.edu/music. Thank you for your generosity in supporting and ensuring the success of future graduates of Hayes School of Music.

Listed below, and beside each photograph, is a brief biographical sketch and outline of the honored professors and his or her scholarship fund.

	Dr. Nicholas Erneston – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1948 as Professor of Violin and Conductor of the Appalachian Symphony.  Erneston became the founding Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts in 1968 and continued to teach graduate courses in the Department of Music.  There are two scholarships named for Nicholas and first wife, Elsie.  They are the Elsie and Nicholas Erneston Music Endowment for Strings and Voice.
	Dr. William Gora – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1976 as Professor of Saxophone and Director of Bands.  Additionally, he was the Conductor of the Appalachian Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble I.  While at Appalachian, Dr. Gora maintained an extensive calendar of guest performances at the local, regional, and national levels as a conductor and saxophone soloist.  The William Gora Principal Player Scholarship Endowment was established in his name by former students, family, and friends.
	Dr. William Harbinson – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1984 as Professor of Theory and served as the second Dean of the Hayes School of Music from 2000-2009.  During his tenure as Dean, the School of Music experienced a tremendous period of financial support and charitable giving providing greater opportunities of growth and development for both faculty and students.  Established by family and friends, the Harbinson Family Music Scholarship Endowment was first awarded in 2009.
	Dr. Charles Isley, Jr. – after a highly successful public school teaching career, Dr. Isley joined the Appalachian faculty in 1958 as Director of Bands and Professor of Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba.  After a tenure of 20 years, Dr. Isley continues to spend his “retirement” as a active conductor, performer, vocalist, and supporter of the arts in Watauga County.   The Charles L. Isley Watauga Community Band Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 and is given to an upperclass music education major.
	Dr. Allen Kindt – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1971 as Professor of Piano, teaching applied music, class piano, and piano literature.  Widely acclaimed as a concert pianist, Dr. Kindt was also visiting professor of piano at the Shenyang Conservatoryof Music in Shenyang, China.  In 1994, Dr. Kindt was the recipient of the ASU Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award.  In his name was established the Allen F. Kindt Scholarship for Music.
	Mr. B.G “Bill” McCloud – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1979 as Associate Professor of music education and theory.  Mr. McCloud was nationally known as a leader of music education and specifically, general music education.  He became Chair of the Department of Music in 1981 and led the transition from department to School of Music, serving as acting dean until the Spring of 1989.  The Bill “B.G.” McCloud Scholarship Fund for Music is awarded annually to a senior music education student.
	Dr. Philip Paul –  joined the Appalachian faculty in 1966 as  Professor of Horn and music theory.  Along with his private instruction and classroom duties, Dr. Paul was the Conductor of the Appalachian Glee Club for approximately thirty years.  The Philip and Lorna Paul Scholarship for the Men’s Glee Club is awarded annually to a member of the Appalachian Glee Club.
	Dr. Julia Pedigo – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1985 as Professor of Voice.  During her tenure, Dr. Pedigo has taught applied voice, vocal pedagogy, and song literature while maintaining a busy performance schedule.  As a soprano, she has embraced all aspects of solo singing including opera, recital, concerts, oratorio, chamber music, and contemporary music.  The Julia Pedigo Endowed Scholarship in Voice was established in her name by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Pedigo.
	Dr. Priscilla Porterfield – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1990 as Professor of Voice.  As a member of the vocal faculty, her responsibilities include teaching private voice, diction, conducting the Appalachian Treble Choir, and coordinating the vocal program in the Hayes School of Music.  The Doug and Priscilla Porterfield Scholarship Endowment for Music was established in her name by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Roten.
	Mr. Hoyt Safrit – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1951, having just completed his baccalaureate degree from ASU.  As Professor of Voice, Safrit was actively engaged in both the University and Watauga communities, serving as music director for various churches, performing in local, regional, and national operatic performances.  Safrit was honored in 1992 with the establishment of the W. Hoyt Safrit Endowed Music Scholarship.
	Dr. Arthur Unsworth – joined the Appalachian  faculty in  1989 as the first Dean of the Hayes School of Music.  As Dean, and with his leadership, the School enjoyed a period of  significant growth in the curricular areas of Music Therapy and Music Industry Studies.  Upon his adminstrative retirement and return to the teaching faculty,  the Advisory Board along with numerous colleagues, friends, and family created the Arthur E. Unsworth Scholarship for Music.
	Dr. Elmer White, Jr. – joined the Appalachian faculty in 1963 as Professor of Trumpet and taught a wide variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.  Additionally, he served as conductor of various ensembles, including the Appalachian Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Lynn White – wife of Dr. Elmer White, joined the Appalachian faculty in 1963 as a part-time instructor of woodwinds.  Proficient on flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone, Dr. White received her Master’s degree from Appalachian and her Ed.D degree from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro.  Following her retirement, she and her husband established the largest endowed scholarship fund in the School of Music at Appalachian State University, the Elmer and Lynn White Wind Instrument Scholarship Endowment. In 2007, she established the Elmer R. White Jazz Trumpet Scholarship Endowment in memory of her husband.