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Thomas F. Savoy (1955-2022) was the founder/artistic director of the Carolina Catholic Chorale and president of Savoy Music House – a company of musical services – both based in Charlotte, NC. Before his death in 2022, Mr. Savoy was the full-time director of music (Magister Capellae) of St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Charlotte, NC, as well as a liturgical music consultant at large. Previously, he served as Director of Music of the historic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, NY. Mr. Savoy was director emeritus of the New York Catholic Chorale, past conductor of the RPI Chorale, the Fort Orange Singers of Albany, NY, adjunct member of the music faculty at Schenectady County Community College, and Director of Sacred Music and Liturgical Events at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, NC.
During his ten year tenure as conductor of the New York Catholic Chorale (1997-2007), Mr. Savoy had the singular opportunity to conduct the great orchestral Masses of the Roman Catholic tradition, Renaissance |
polyphony and Gregorian chant in the context of the Latin liturgy as well as in concerts. He continued this work with the Savoy Ensemble and as founder/artistic director and as founder/artistic director of the Carolina Catholic Chorale, a choral venture founded in 2013 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina (USA).
Mr. Savoy was the recipient of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians’ composition award as well as several grants and commissions; he was also a sought after arranger of both sacred and popular music. He and partner/lyricist Byron Nilsson did extensive cabaret work featuring the songs of Flanders & Swann, Noel Coward, Tom Lehrer, and many others. They appeared at Café Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY, the historic Van Dyck Club in Schenectady, NY and the Mohonk Festival of the Arts in New Paltz, NY. They authored several original works including two musicals – “A Thousand Friends” and “iFind You @ Last.” His sacred choral works were published by G.I.A. Publications, World Library Publications both of Chicago, and his own company of Savoy Music House.
Collaborations with poet/librettist Bertrand T. Fay yielded multiple works: Canticles for Advent: the Season of the Now, the first chancel opera on Joseph of Nazareth – The Agon of Saint Joseph, and the recently completed Iliad for Emalie. His Three Songs on Shakespeare Texts were premiered at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on March 18th, 2010. His Songs for Jack, a song cycle for baritone was premiered in September of 2012 in Schenectady, NY as part of the Musicians of Ma’alwyck subscription concert series. His other works included Masefield Songs: a song cycle for Tenor on poems of John Masefield and Three Songs on Poems by Hart Crane, a song cycle for Counter-tenor (both premiered in Spring of 2018), a Missa Brevis for three-part male voices, and was in the process of completing an Epiphany cantata: At Cana: In the Galilee, again with text by Bertrand T. Fay.
As an organ recitalist and piano/organ accompanist, he played both concerts and cabaret venues throughout the Northeast, Florida, Milwaukee, New York City, and Charlotte, NC. He was also a featured artist in providing organ and piano accompaniment to classic silent movie films.
Mr. Savoy died suddenly on October 24th, 2022. To read about his legacy and accomplishments, please read this article by Payton Guion of the Charlotte Observer, or read the following obituary.
Mr. Savoy was the recipient of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians’ composition award as well as several grants and commissions; he was also a sought after arranger of both sacred and popular music. He and partner/lyricist Byron Nilsson did extensive cabaret work featuring the songs of Flanders & Swann, Noel Coward, Tom Lehrer, and many others. They appeared at Café Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY, the historic Van Dyck Club in Schenectady, NY and the Mohonk Festival of the Arts in New Paltz, NY. They authored several original works including two musicals – “A Thousand Friends” and “iFind You @ Last.” His sacred choral works were published by G.I.A. Publications, World Library Publications both of Chicago, and his own company of Savoy Music House.
Collaborations with poet/librettist Bertrand T. Fay yielded multiple works: Canticles for Advent: the Season of the Now, the first chancel opera on Joseph of Nazareth – The Agon of Saint Joseph, and the recently completed Iliad for Emalie. His Three Songs on Shakespeare Texts were premiered at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on March 18th, 2010. His Songs for Jack, a song cycle for baritone was premiered in September of 2012 in Schenectady, NY as part of the Musicians of Ma’alwyck subscription concert series. His other works included Masefield Songs: a song cycle for Tenor on poems of John Masefield and Three Songs on Poems by Hart Crane, a song cycle for Counter-tenor (both premiered in Spring of 2018), a Missa Brevis for three-part male voices, and was in the process of completing an Epiphany cantata: At Cana: In the Galilee, again with text by Bertrand T. Fay.
As an organ recitalist and piano/organ accompanist, he played both concerts and cabaret venues throughout the Northeast, Florida, Milwaukee, New York City, and Charlotte, NC. He was also a featured artist in providing organ and piano accompaniment to classic silent movie films.
Mr. Savoy died suddenly on October 24th, 2022. To read about his legacy and accomplishments, please read this article by Payton Guion of the Charlotte Observer, or read the following obituary.