Fairport native Lucas M. West will sing the national anthem at the Bills game on Sunday, November 19

Lucas M. West, a native of Fairport, has been chosen to perform the national anthem at the upcoming Bills game scheduled for Sunday, November 19.

The opportunity came knocking when the SUNY Fredonia sophomore received an email notification on May 8, inviting him to participate in open auditions for singing the national anthem at a Bills home game. Eager to seize the moment, Lucas recorded his audition video over the summer and promptly submitted it to the Bills organization.

On June 15, Lucas received another email, this time bearing the exciting news that he had made it to the final round. He was one of the six finalists selected to audition live at Highmark Stadium on June 21, utilizing the stadium’s PA system for his performance.

On the audition day, Lucas, hailing from Fairport, made his way to Orchard Park with his complete keyboard setup. He was the first to take the stage and had the chance to meet some fellow exceptionally talented artists during his time there. Reflecting on the experience, Lucas remarked, “Singing with the stadium PA at Highmark was a great learning experience.”

Now having secured the prestigious opportunity to perform, Lucas expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am beyond grateful and honored for this opportunity and hope I can put on a performance that people will remember.”

Lucas is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies at SUNY Fredonia, with a focus on voice, piano, and trombone. He actively participates in various musical ensembles, including the Fredonia Jazz Orchestra, the New Jazz Flextet, the Trombone Choir, and the Vocal Jazz Combo. Additionally, Lucas initially delved into classical piano during his first year at Fredonia and has since expanded his repertoire to include jazz piano. He has ambitious plans to continue honing his skills in classical and jazz voice throughout his college years.

In recognition of this significant achievement, Lucas extended his gratitude to the Bills organization, acknowledging their role in providing him with this incredible opportunity.

The Bills are set to face off against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. on Sunday, November 19.