Louis Roy Earns Prestigious Spot in All-National Honors Symphony
Louis Roy, a senior at Amherst Central High School, earned a seat performing first French horn in the All-National Honor Ensemble Symphony Orchestra which represents the best of the best in high school musicians. He is the first student from the Amherst Central High School music program to earn this prestigious opportunity to perform in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Honor Ensemble performance held in early November in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.
To earn the seat, he sent in a virtual audition recording of an etude he prepared with only four days notice. He appreciated the support and nomination from ACHS band director Kiersten Roetzer to be given the opportunity to audition.
“It was an honor to be among some of the best high school musicians in the country,” said Louis. “I enjoyed working with conductor Nobuyoshi Yasuda. He brought lots of energy and enthusiasm to the ensemble and his selected program.”
Louis competed with students from all 50 states to earn his seat in the symphony orchestra, making it one of the most competitive and prestigious ensemble opportunities for a high school musician in the United States.
“I love the experience of traveling for music and crossing paths with other musicians I’ve previously played with from around the country,” he said.
His goal for the future is to perform in a major symphony orchestra. He is in the process of auditioning for some of the top music schools and conservatories in the country.
Over the years, Louis has earned spots in NYSSMA Conference All-State, NYSSMA Zone 1 Area All-State and ECMEA All-County Ensembles. In 2021, he served as first horn in the NYSSMA All-State Orchestra.
Louis has been playing the French horn since he was 7 years old. He studies privately with Jacek Muzyk. Louis has spent the past two summers at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. Most recently, he performed principal horn in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen. During the school year, Louis is a member of the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra.
When Louis is not practicing or performing, he is on the varsity cross country and tennis teams for Amherst Central High School.