Art Student of the Week: Merrick Blondeau

When Merrick Blondeau was in elementary school, his sister Ana's friends were percussionists. Blondeau thought they were cool, so in sixth grade he joined the band at Sunset Middle School. Since then, he has simply loved making music and getting lost in music.

Blondeau enjoys listening to classical music, "But," he said, "not often enough to be able to pick a favorite." One piece he does appreciate listening to is "The Planets," a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst.

Blondeau always wants to find something new or learn a better way to play the music he already knows. "I simply love music," he said. "I listen to any music I can get my hands on, and if I like it, I will add it to a master playlist I have that is now over 30 hours long."

Wade Hendricks, the director of bands at NHS, nominated Blondeau as Arts Student of the Week. "Merrick is a terrific percussionist and terrifically motivated. He is amazingly dependable and applies himself equally to challenging and not-so-challenging pieces." Hendricks added, "I can always count on Merrick to contribute with his positive perspective and affable attitude."

Scott Barto, drumline instructor at NHS, has also appreciated having the chance to work with Blondeau. "Merrick is not only a great musician," Barto said, "But an incredible person. His influence, leadership, kindness, and friendship towards others speak volumes to his character. The 'Pride of Niwot' is very fortunate to have someone like him contribute to the general membership and I, as the drumline instructor, am grateful for his dedication over the past four years and to be able to watch him grow as a musician and a leader."

For the last two years Blondeau has been in the pit orchestra for the NHS musicals, but he had limited theater experience when he was selected to be in this year's production of "Shrek." In sixth grade he was in his middle school production of "Elf Jr." Then a few of his friends in the high school shows eventually convinced him to join them. He was selected to play the role of the Big Bad Wolf, and he was also the understudy for Lord Farquaad.

"I didn't go in completely blind though," Blondeau said. "At the end of the last school year I was able to participate in the musical theater review, which was a fantastic experience, and I don't think I would be where I am without that terrific experience. So far it has been an absolute blast and I have been enjoying every second."

Blondeau welcomes the opportunity to spend his days in the band and choir room with his peers and his teachers Mr. Hendricks and Mrs. Walters. His experience at NHS has been remarkable. "The friends I've made and the teachers I've had," Blondeau said, "have made me the person I am today." One memorable moment at NHS came during a percussion ensemble performance. "The band was playing on metal trash cans, and then all of our music started to fall off of our stands! We had to hastily adapt using a mixture of memorization and scrambling to pick the music back up."

"I am not only impressed by his heavy involvement in the music department at Niwot High School," Barto said, "between marching band/drumline, concert band, jazz band, choir, the musical, and whatever else he's in that I'm not aware of, but also by his heavy involvement in everything he does. Merrick is also involved in Scout Troop 161, and very close to getting his Eagle rank, and volunteers as the lead Gargoyle for the Rock & Rails Gargoyles over the summer."

In addition to the scouts, his volunteer work, theater and music, Blondeau loves to cook, whether for his friends during lunch or for himself. After graduation he plans to attend Front Range Community College for a year, and then apply to the University of Colorado Boulder where he hopes to join the music program.