NICEVILLE, Fla. — Niceville High School senior Tommy Roberts and his younger brother, sophomore Andrew Roberts, were both selected for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall, where they performed on February 4.
According to the Carnegie Honors Performance Series (CHPS), Tommy was selected as 1st Chair Trumpet, and Andrew was selected as 1st Chair Trombone. Both performed side by side in Carnegie Hall on February 4 with the Carnegie Hall Honors Symphonic Band.
The brothers joined performers from all over the world for a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. The finalists came together in New York City, where they had the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other performers, and get a taste of New York, the CHPS said.
Participation in the International Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated young performers from across the world.
“I am grateful for this honor to perform in Carnegie Hall with my brother Andrew and with high school musicians from all over the world. I look forward to the opportunity to improve as a musician during this experience, and I am very excited to perform in Carnegie Hall,” Tommy said prior to the Feb. 4 concert.
“I wanted to express how grateful I am for all my private teachers and band directors, particularly Mr. Wooten, for nominating me for the Carnegie Hall audition process.”
Tommy and Andrew auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and were accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their application and audition recording, the CHPS said in a statement.
“This will be my first time visiting New York and a first performing in Carnegie Hall. My brother Tommy will be graduating from high school soon, so this experience will be a nice one to share with him,” Andrew said.
“I am grateful for the instruction for many years from my teachers and band directors who helped me get here.”
Tommy has studied trumpet for eight years and is 1st Chair Trumpet of the Niceville High School (NHS) Wind Symphony, Lead Trumpet of the NHS Jazz One Band, and Trumpet Section Leader & Trumpet Soloist for the NHS Eagle Pride Marching Band.
He has performed as 1st Chair Trumpet of the 2022 Sousa National High School Honor Band, the 2022 Okaloosa All-County Honor Band, the 2022 BYU Summerfest Orchestra, and the 2022 BYU Summerfest Band and as 2nd Trumpet of the 2022 Florida All-State Orchestra.
Tommy has been a 2021 and 2022 Finalist for the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, a 2022 Finalist for the First Coast Wind Symphony Concerto Competition, and recently made the High School Division of the 2023 National Trumpet Competition (NTC) and 1st Trumpet in the 2023 Honor Band of America.
In addition to his trumpet interests, Tommy serves as NHS Senior Class Vice President, NHS Band President, and NHS Math Tutor. He also enjoyed three years playing on the NHS Lacrosse Team.
Tommy felt greatly honored to be voted by his peers as NHS Homecoming King and recently by the NHS faculty and staff to the NHS Class of 2023 Hall of Fame.
Andrew has studied trombone for six years and is Co-1st Chair Trombone of the Niceville High School Wind Symphony, 2nd Trombone of the NHS Jazz One Band, and Trombone Squad Leader of the NHS Eagle Pride Marching Band.
Andrew has earned trombone positions in the 2022 Sousa National High School Honor Band, the 2020 and 2022 Florida All-State Bands, the 2022 and 2023 Okaloosa All-County Honor Bands, and the 2023 Honor Band of America.
In addition to his trombone interests, Andrew is a member of the NHS Tennis Team and had a great run his freshman year helping the 2022 NHS Varsity Tennis Team earn titles as District Champion, Regional Champion, and State Final Four.
“Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing,” said Marion Gomez, Music Director for the Honors Performance Series.
“We processed nearly 10,000 nominations this year and have selected the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at these renowned music halls is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians will never forget.”
The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual student performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in world-renowned venues. The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented by WorldStrides, the nation’s leading educational travel organization.
