Andrew Merideth

On Stage

Andrew Merideth is from Daytona Beach, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University, studying under Benjamin Lieser and Grace Kang. He then went on to earn his Master’s Degree from Baylor University where he studied under Jeffrey Powers.  Andrew began his professional music career freelancing in the Dallas, Texas area. After two years, Andrew won three auditions with regional orchestras in the Carolinas, 3rd Horn with the Spartanburg Philharmonic, 3rd Horn with the Hendersonville Symphony, and Assistant Horn with the Winston-Salem Symphony. Since this time, he has gone on to win Principal Horn positions with The Brevard Philharmonic and Salisbury Symphony. In addition to these positions, Andrew has performed with The Greenville Symphony, Asheville Symphony, Rock Hill Symphony, Western Piedmont Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and the North Charleston Pops. He first performed with the Charlotte Symphony in 2018.

In addition to performing, Andrew has taught Aural Skills and Horn at Western Carolina University as well as private lessons.

Music also plays a role in Andrew’s hobbies. He is a film soundtrack enthusiast, analyzing how the music works in films, from the use of different themes, other uncommon compositional techniques, to even the unique scales the composer used. His current favorite working composer is Bear McCreary.  Outside of music, Andrew plays disc golf to keep active and joins friends for a trivia night.

Off Stage

Where did you grow up? Hometown?
I grew up in a city just south of Daytona Beach, FL called Port Orange. I lived in that county all the way through my undergraduate degree with only the occasional family vacation outside of Florida.

What do you like to do outside of work? Do you have any favorite hobbies?
Analyzing film music is my biggest hobby. It amazes me what these composers can do with as little as two to four weeks to score a film and I love picking the soundtrack apart and finding the pieces and even easter eggs hidden within.

If you could meet one composer, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Without question, it would be Jerry Goldsmith, and I would ask him about his process of creating musical landscapes. The atmosphere he creates from the science fiction adventure of Star Trek to the presidential theme to Air Force One to the distant desert of The Mummy, he seems to capture it so well.

What would you do if you weren’t a professional musician?
While I don’t have much knowledge in the area, the concept of being a white hat (someone who looks for vulnerabilities or system security issues) intrigues me.

What are you most looking forward to about being part of the Charlotte Symphony?
I love the musicians and staff. It’s always a pleasure to come in and play a show. So the most exciting thing for me is being around awesome people and making great music