Niceville High School’s Andrew Roberts wins back-to-back state brass titles

NICEVILLE, Fla.—Andrew Roberts, a junior at Niceville High School (NHS), is the first-place winner at the 2024 Florida State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA) State Senior Brass Concerto Competition.

The FSMTA statewide competition was held on May 18, 2024, at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Andrew qualified for the state competition after winning the FSMTA District Competition in Pensacola in March, where he performed David’s Concertino for Trombone. This is Andrew’s second year in a row winning the FSMTA State Concerto Competition. In 2023, he won the State Junior Brass Concerto Division.

Andrew currently studies under Laurie Penpraze. He has also studied with Tim VanDam and is directed by Dan Wooten and Matt Tenoré at NHS.

The NHS junior has been honored to serve as Principal Trombone of the NHS Wind Symphony, Lead Trombone of NHS Jazz One, Trombone Section Leader of the NHS Eagle Pride Marching Band, and First Chair of the Okaloosa All-County Honor Band.

He was recently voted to be the NHS Band President for his upcoming senior year.

Andrew has made the Florida All-State Band several times, performed in Carnegie Hall as Principal Trombone with the National Honors Performance Series High School Band, performed as featured trombone soloist at the National Bandfest of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and performed in Boston’s Mechanics Hall as trombonist with the Sousa National High School Honor Band.

In addition to being an accomplished trombone player, Andrew is a three-year NHS Varsity tennis athlete, where he was the 2023 District Singles Champion and 2022 District Champion, Regional Champion, and State Final Four with his team.

Andrew is also a three-year Anne T. Mitchell Honors Student at NHS.