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Greg
Merritt, Musical
Director
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Greg
Merritt received his Bachelor of Music from Loyola
University in 1984 and
his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1987. A resident of
St. Andrew Parish since 1967, he has been involved in
the music ministry here in four decades, first as a student
at SAS and later as a volunteer trumpeter, choir member,
guitarist, and composer. In 2003, he began his official
tenure as musical director for the parish, where he directs
the Contemporary Choir, Festival Choir, Choristers, SANYO
Choir, and SAS Middle School Choir. He also teaches guitar
to the Chorister and Middle School Choir members. Apart
from his work at the parish, he serves as the musical
director of The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra,
a jazz preservation ensemble that has traveled throughout
the United States, Canada, and Italy. A recipient of
the Big Easy Award, the orchestra has appeared at the
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival every year since
the early 1970’s, and on “Saturday Night
Live.”
Mr. Merritt is married to Leslie Ruiz Merritt, who
has served as a volunteer in the music ministry as
a singer, instrumentalist, director, and guitar instructor
since 1990. The Merritts have four boys, all of whom
have attended SAS. The three older boys have served
in the Choristers, the Middle School Choir, and the
SANYO Choir. The fourth is waiting in the wings for
his grand debut.
Mr. Merritt has also served as a volunteer coach in
the NORD program and as an adult leader for the Cub
Scouts and Boy Scouts. He was recognized for his volunteer
activities by the Times-Picayune in 2004.
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