Music Director

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.