Joshua Merritt

ANGOLA — Lake Shore Senior Joshua Merritt has been selected for two prestigious Honors Music Ensembles: The All State Symphonic Band (New York) and The All Eastern Band (Eastern USA).

Merritt is a very talented student musician (French horn) who studies under the direction of High School Band Director Eric Blodgett.

Following many years of hard work and a set of auditions starting last spring, Merritt was selected to perform at the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Conference in December as one of the most talented student musicians in New York State.

After four days of rehearsals and other music experiences at the conference in Rochester, Merritt performed at a concert featuring the All State students at the Eastman Theater.

He also was accepted into the Area All State Band as a top student musician in all of Western New York. However, due to the recent storm, that festival was cancelled.

In addition to his acceptance into All State, Merritt auditioned for and was accepted as one of the top student musicians in the country and will participate in and perform at the All Eastern Music Conference April 10-12, also in Rochester. This conference will feature some of the best student musician talent from the northern and mideastern U.S., from Maine to Maryland.

Merritt also performs with Buffalo’s premiere student orchestra, the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra. While juggling a school schedule filled with AP and honors classes, this National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society high-achieving senior is also traveling and auditioning for several prestigious music conservatories and hopes to realize his dream of becoming a professional horn player in a major Symphony Orchestra.

Joshua enjoys incredible support from his family: Mother Tracy Swyers, Brother Ryan Merritt, Grandfather Gifford Swyers, and Grandmother Susan Swyers.