GWENYTH KIRKWOOD
Staff Writer
Lucas West gets ready to perform the national anthem at the Bills game.
Photo provided by Lucas West | Special to The Leader
If you were to ask a Western New Yorker their dream in life, nine times out of 10, you will be met with some iteration of “meeting Josh Allen.”
SUNY Fredonia’s own Lucas West has had this honor and more.
West, a jazz piano and voice major, began his journey to Highmark Stadium in 2023 with an open audition. Little did he know, this would lead to not one, but two performances on the Buffalo Bills’ home field.
His debut performance took place in November 2023 against the New York Jets at Week 11 after a successful audition.
From there on out, he remained in a talent pool, which led him to an unexpected call for him to perform at a divisional playoff game this past January. However, despite being granted the opportunity to sing at the wild-card game, West had to decline due to being in Germany at the time.
Later, he was given the opportunity to perform in the divisional round instead. The journey consisted of flying back from Germany, fighting jet lag and preparing to perform just days after his arrival.
“I was on a seven-hour flight wearing an N95 mask the entire time to stay healthy for the gig,” West recalled. “It was a crazy time, but I made it work because I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.”
This game, Bills vs. Ravens, was the most-watched NFL game of the 2024 season to date, with 43.1 million viewers.
As both a performer and a Buffalo Bills fan, he experienced an overpowering sense of community with the people in the stands. “We all want the same thing — to see the Bills win,” he said. This connection made it easier for him to give a performance in front of thousands of people.
West had the opportunity to sing right in front of players such as MVP Josh Allen. “Being so close to the players was crazy,” West said. “It was like performing for my family— the Bills Mafia.”
David Stringham, Fredonia’s School of Music dean, was not surprised to hear about West being invited to perform at the Bills game.
When he was called again for his second performance, Stringham stated, “I think him being invited back a second time speaks to the impression he made with his first performance.”
Despite the large audience and high stakes, West did not feel pressured. “Once I started, the nerves went away,” he said. “I was comfortable because I was doing something I love in front of people who share the same passion.”
West emphasized that rehearsing for the national anthem requires consistent practice. To prepare, he played the anthem five times a day leading up to the day of the big performance, to guarantee that every note was thoroughly embedded into his mind.
To fully absorb the anthem, he plays it on the same piano he uses for concerts, allowing him to perform instinctively while focusing on the musical choices in the moment. He even has a backup anthem, “O Canada,” ready in case he gets the opportunity to perform at a hockey game.
“Preparation is key,” he explained. “I want to be in a place where I’m not thinking about the next chord. I want to be fully present in the music, enjoying the performance without distractions.”
Born and raised in Fairport, New York, West began his musical journey at an early age. His mother, a music teacher, played a big role in developing his love for music. When he was six years old, he started taking classical piano lessons, which led him to explore other instruments. As of today, West is proficient in piano, voice and trombone, and performs in Fredonia’s choir and jazz orchestra.
West sees his anthem appearances as a major milestone in his musical career. “This experience gives me faith in myself,” West says. “It’s easy to get discouraged in this industry, but moments like this remind me that I’m doing something right.”
Stringham also stated that, “One of the great privileges of working in education is watching students work hard, develop their skills and knowledge and succeed within and beyond the classroom. That never gets old!”
Determined to continue pursuing music, West acknowledges Fredonia’s music program as giving him valuable training and opportunities to excel as a musician.
“I’ll keep improving my craft, and hopefully, this isn’t a one-time thing. I want to continue being part of great experiences like this,” said West.