Smiling as she sat in the basement of the Flowers Building in her multicolored outfit and dainty pink heels, Beverly Snyder, Women's College '44, described how she became involved in the original cast of Hoof 'n' Horn.
"I've always loved music," Snyder said with a grin. "I always wanted to major in music, but my family wouldn't let me. So they sent me here to get a good education."
While a student at the Women's College, Snyder saw an advertisement about a new musical theater group and decided to join. "I just thought, `Oh, I'm [a] ham, and this is a chance to be hammy."
After current Hoof 'n' Horn members rehearsed the musical "Into the Woods'' on Saturday, past and present "hams'' hung around Fred Theater, the group's longtime rehearsal space located in the basement of Flowers Building. The alumni, in town for their 50th class reunion, performed the music from Hoof 'n' Horn's first production in 1941. Their hair was a little grayer as they sang the score to the original production without any sheet music.
Strong tenors blended with ladies' silvery voices. Current Hoof 'n' Horn members, tired from their own rehearsal, were rejuvenated by the music. They peered over the alumni's shoulders and joined in. Laughter and applause reverberated as the alumni presented one of their original numbers--a parody of 1940s campus life.
While waiting for their pianist to appear, they discussed life during World War II, the time the Rose Bowl was held at Duke and old dating scenarios such as curfews, house mothers and other restrictions.
"If you came in with grass on your back, you were in trouble," Snyder said, evoking plenty of laughter.
There was standing room only in Page Auditorium fifty-three years ago when Hoof 'n' Horn presented their first musical: "Say When." Tickets were sold for 57 cents. The first production was funded by $400 granted by the Panhellenic Council.
A yellowed, worn copy of the Durham Morning Herald's review of the performance was presented Saturday to Hoof 'n' Horn's current members.
So where did the name "Hoof 'n' Horn" come from? Some might think dancing and music; in actuality, the group took its name from the Duke mascot. The Blue Devil has the hooves for feet and horns on his head.
Lou Fracher, past president, actor and writer for the organization, is composing a song about the group to the tune of "Onward Christian Soldiers."
"We don't want to go to heaven, we'll let the angels sing high C, we'd rather go to hell where it's more fun," Fracher said.
Some original members have gone onto professional careers in music and theater. One alumnus has sung lead tenor at the Metropolitan Opera, while one appeared in the original Broadway cast of the musical "The Fantastiks."
Snyder spoke about how closely she bonded with her fellow cast members. She said she wanted to tell students to make the most of their time and the chance to develop close friendships.
For her, this sentiment has become especially clear. Three days ago, Snyder was leaving Pennsylvania to return to Duke for the reunion when her car phone rang. Her doctor informed her that she had inoperable cancer of the liver. That night, she was mugged and beaten at a hotel. Despite her difficulties, Snyder exuberantly joined her cast members in reliving their youth. "I'm a very upbeat person," she said with a beaming smile.
Current students enjoyed their time with to those who returned to campus.
"I think it's the perfect way to exemplify Hoof 'n' Horn," said Trinity senior Jen Sneider, the group's current president, as she bounded around snapping pictures. "After all these years everybody's still so tight. They still sound great after fifty years," Sneider said.
The afternoon ended with everyone singing the University's alma mater. Surprisingly, everyone remembered the words to that too.
"It was terrific to see and feel the roots of the Hoof 'n' Horn," said Trinity freshman Barry Junker. "We can see ourselves here in 2044."
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