The Buchholz High School Band program has been chosen to perform at two well-known festivals during the 2025-26 academic year, including one performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
According to an Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) press release, the Buchholz Wind Symphony was the high school band selected to play at the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) President’s Concert on Jan. 14, 2026, at the Tampa Bay Convention Center.
Additionally, the group will also perform in New York City’s Carnegie Hall as part of the National Band and Orchestra Festival on April 3, 2026.
Carnegie Hall is frequently regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, the release said.
“These are outstanding achievements for a community that goes above and beyond,” said Noah Graben, who has led the band program at Buchholz High School since 2020, in the release. “The Buchholz Band Program has a long-standing history of high achievement and national recognition. The students, staff, and community have continued to uphold a high standard of excellence. These students have earned the opportunity to perform on some of the biggest stages possible.”
According to the release, the FMEA Professional Learning Conference is considered one of the largest music education and professional learning events in the country. The yearly event attracts more than 10,00 people, including K-12 music teachers, school district music supervisors, college students, college music teachers and professors, as well as school administrators.
The Buchholz Wind Symphony was chosen to be FMEA’s band for this year’s convention based on a blind recorded audition, the release said.
For the National Band and Orchestra Festival, high school bands and orchestras are encouraged to submit recordings and apply for a spot in the annual spring festival.
Chosen ensembles, the release said, earn the chance to perform at Carnegie Hall and work alongside some of the top conductors in the U.S.
The Buchholz Band is currently engaged in fundraising efforts to help with the costs of travel.
Community members who would like to support the group can visit buchholzband.com or contact grabennc@alachuaschools.net.