F.W. Buchholz High School Bands
The Buchholz Wind Symphony and Percussion Ensemble were recognized as two of the
top-performing ensembles in the Nation!
Help support our trip to perform at the 2025 Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana!
F.W Buchholz High School Band Staff
Director of Bands, Noah Graben
Noah Graben is the F.W. Buchholz High School Director of Bands and Performing Arts Department Chair. Graben is a Florida native, growing up in Saint Lucie County.
Graben attended the University of Florida receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a Performer’s Certificate and a Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting with an Emphasis in Saxophone Performance. During his time at the University of Florida, Graben served as an Assistant Director to University of Florida Concert Bands, Assistant Director of the Gator Basketball Bands, Saxophone Instructor of the Gator Marching Band, and was a Graduate Teaching Assistant of the University of Florida Director of Bands, Dr. David Waybright. Graben was a recipient of the Dr. Kenneth Webster Saxophone Scholarship, John and Margaret Sung Conducting Fellowship, and was the graduate division winner of the University of Florida Concerto Competition.
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Under his direction, the Buchholz Band Program has continued to receive great accolades such as the Otto J. Kraushaar Award (the highest honor given by the Florida Bandmasters Association), the Florida Bandmasters Association's Jazz Award for top marks at State Assessment, 1st prize in Concert Band and Jazz at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival, an invitation to perform at the 48th Festival of Winds, invitation to perform at the 51st Southeastern Band Clinic, an invitation to perform at the National Band Festival at Carnegie Hall, and an invitation to perform at the 2025 Music for All National Festival.
Director of Percussion, Rickie Santiago
Nestor “Rickie” Santiago is graduate of Buchholz High School where he was a student of Paula Thornton, Vicki Nolan and Thomas Hurst. He attended the University of Florida and was in the studio of Dr. Ken Broadway. While there, Nestor was the principal percussionist for the University’s Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. David Waybright. Mr. Santiago has performed at the Midwest Clinic, the American Bandmasters Association convention as well as with the Gainesville Orchestra, Ocala Symphony Orchestra, and the American Chamber Winds.
Nestor is an active educator in the Gainesville area, teaching percussion sectionals at many area middle and high schools as well as holding a private studio.Under his direction, the Buchholz High School Percussion Ensemble has consistently earned superior ratings at the FBA District and State Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessments and has performed at the 2017 FMEA Professional Development Conference, the 2018 McCormick Marimba Festival at the University of South Florida and the 2018 University of Florida Percussion Festival. Additionally, Mr. Santiago serves as a Director for Infinity Percussion, a consistent World Class Finalist at the WGI World Championships. Mr. Santiago is a Vic Firth, Mike Balter, and Zildjian endorsed Educational Artist.
Directors of Color Guard, Sam Rahn and Jen Perez
Same Rahn and Jen Perez have coached the Buchholz Aviance Color Guard for nearly a decade. Under their leadership, the Buchholz Winter Guard has consistently top marks by the Florida Federation of Color Guard Circuit and the Florida Bandmasters Association. The Buchholz Color Guard earned 1st place (gold) at the 2018 FFCC State Championships, 3rd at the 2023 FFCC State Championships, and 2nd at the 2024 FFCC State Championships.
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In addition to their work with the Buchholz Color Guard, Sam Rahn and Jen Perez serve as visual staff for the Infinity 3, a World Class WGI Indoor Percussion Ensemble.
