16th Annual National Collegiate Solo Competition

Congratulations to the winner of the 2026 National Collegiate Solo Competition, saxophonist Ethan Roberts!
 

Ethan Roberts is a saxophonist from Katy, Texas and has performed in a variety of settings throughout the United States. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma in 2024 and is now completing a Master’s in Saxophone Performance from Michigan State University.

As a soloist, Ethan has been recognized by a variety of competitions and institutions. Some of these include the Andorra Sax Fest, the Naumburg International Saxophone Competition in New York City, the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition, the Charleston International Music Competition, and the University of Oklahoma Young Artist Competition and Concerto Competition.

Ethan is also an active chamber musician performing in a variety of different saxophone quartets and other ensembles. Most notably, he is the soprano saxophone chair in Onda Sonora and the tenor saxophone chair in Halite Quartet which have both been nationally recognized by the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association. Onda Sonora has also been acknowledged by the North American Saxophone Alliance, the Music Teachers National Association, and the Coltman Chamber Music Competition; and additionally, the quartet released the album, Epitaphs, in 2024 which received high praise from several of the composers featured.

While being an active performer, Ethan also spends a large portion of his time teaching. He has taught private lessons for several years including quartet coachings, and he has been invited to teach multiple masterclasses. As a graduate student, Ethan has also had the opportunity to give lessons to undergraduate saxophonists in the studio.

Ethan’s primary teachers have been Joseph Lulloff, Jonathan Nichol, and Alexis Seah.

Past Winners

Year	Winner	School
2026	First Prize: Ethan Roberts, Saxophone	Michigan State University
	Second Prize: Erin Huang, Flute	Case Western Reserve University
	Third Prize: Joshua Fuentes, Euphonium	University of Central Arkansas
	Third Prize: Sungdu Bae, Flute	San Francisco Conservatory of Music
2025	Philip Kleutgens, Saxophone	Northwestern University
2024	Andrew Stine, Saxophone	University of Memphis
2023	Mateo Seghezzo Alvarez, Marimba	Sam Houston State University
2022	Matthew Meadows, horn	University of Alabama
2021	Landon Chang, saxophone	University of North Texas
2020	Salvador Flores, saxophone	Northwestern University
2019	Charles "Chappy" Gibb, flute	University of North Texas
2018	Trevor Borroero, marimba
2017	Dorien Tate, bass trombone
2016	Sandra Bailey, bassoon
2015	Brittany Lasch, trombone
2014	Christopher Leslie, euphonium
2013	Benjamin Andrews, marimba
2012	Francesco Camuglia, flute
2011	Rachel Perry, saxophone