A Lake Ridge High School sophomore was selected by Carnegie Hall as one of the finest French horn players in the country.

Scott Sanders is one of 116 young musicians nationwide chosen to play in the 2017 National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA).

The orchestra, consisting of musicians ages 16-19 from 33 states, will spend three weeks in New York receiving world-class instruction. The group will then kick off its tour on July 19 with a performance that will be broadcasted on National Public Radio (NPR), followed by a July 21 performance at the esteemed Carnegie Hall stage.

After the New York appearances, the NYO-USA will be part of a 16-day tour through Central and South America. All expenses are paid by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.

To be part of NYO-USA, Sanders submitted an audio recording that was judged by top professional orchestra instructors. He said he could not believe his eyes when he saw his acceptance letter.

“When I checked my email and saw that they picked me, I was running around,” said Sanders, one of 13 Texas musicians who were selected. “I just felt really excited. It’s going to be an amazing summer, and I’m really honored to be part of the group.”

Sanders has been playing the French horn since the sixth grade. The 16-year-old has been named an All-State musician as a freshman and sophomore. He said he wants to become a professional musician, teach high school band or conduct a symphony orchestra.

NYO-USA first launched in the summer of 2013. View a list of all members of the 2017 orchestra here.