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ALOIS HAVRILLA — NBC Announcer
A LOIS HAVRILLA, NBC announcer and bass vocalist, was born in Pressov, Austria-Hungary, of Slovakian parentage. During his -L* infantile days in the old world, he lived in a Hungarian community and came to the United States when four years old. The family settled in a Slovakian community of Bridgeport, Conn. In the Connecticut city Havrilla received his elementary education, attending a school where his native language was spoken. When Havrilla was only seven years old, James Baker, an old English music master of the Bridgeport Trinity Church, heard him sing. He had a beautiful alto voice, with a range of three octaves, a variety among boys. Baker immediately began tutoring him. One year later Havrilla sang an alto role in Handel’s “Messiah.” His music teacher, who gave him a place in the Trinity Church choir, also taught him the English language. Havrilla decided to follow civil engineering as a career. But he continued choir work at Trinity Church until sixteen years of age in addition to working in civil engineering. During adolescent years Havrilla was bass soloist at many Bridgeport churches. In the course of his career he met Miss Marion Munson at the Universalist Church of Bridgeport. They married September 28, 1928. His wife is a descendant of John Howland, of Mayflower fame. Their only child, Constance Howland Havrilla, was named after the distinguished ancestor. When the United States entered the world war, Havrilla tried to enlist in seven different branches of the service, each time being rejected because of poor eye sight. In 1923 Havrilla began a public school music course at New York University. Later he appeared as soloist with Percy Grainger, at a Carnegie Hall musicale, and first met Graham McNamee. He also became acquainted with Elliott Shaw, baritone, who suggested an announcerial position at WJZ. Havrilla was later given an offer by WJZ, then a small station, but declined. Immediately he succeeded in obtaining the only singing part in Dillingham’s production of “Hassan,” and later played in Dillingham’s “Madame Pompadour.” After finishing his studies at New York University, he accepted a teaching position at Briar Cliff Manor, N. Y. Remaining there only eight weeks, he secured an offer and joined the announcerial staff of WEAF.