Welcome to the Buchholz High School band program in Gainesville, Florida under the skillful direction of Director Alex Kaminsky. The Buchholz Band Program is nationally-recognized as one of the finest and most comprehensive high school band programs in the nation. Performing ensembles include the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Chamber Winds, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensembles, Steel Drum Ensembles, and Aviance, an elite dance team. In the fall, all of these groups combine to form the Golden Regiment Marching Band.

The band program at Buchholz High School provides a comprehensive musical experience for its students with special emphasis placed in the areas of Concert and Solo & Ensemble performance - see our philosophy.

Buchholz bands consistently earn Superior ratings at the district and state levels having received the Otto J. Kraushaar Award multiple times for a record of straight Superior ratings at all Florida marching and concert assessments throughout an entire year. In 2009, Buchholz achieved an unprecedented accomplishment with all three concert bands earning straight Superior ratings at the State Music Performance Assessment.

Exchange concerts, guest conductors and soloists are a vital part of the instrumental music experience at Buchholz. Recent visiting ensembles include:

Dallas Brass
Glenn Miller Orchestra
Liberty University Wind Ensemble
St. Olaf College Band
UF Clarinet Ensemble
UNF Jazz Faculty Combo
USM Woodwind Quintet
U.S. Air Force Reserve Band
U.S. Army Field Band WW & Brass Quintets
U.S. Army Infantry Center Band

Recent guest conductors and soloists include:

Bobby Adams - Stetson University
John Almeida - University of Central Florida
Peter L. Boonshaft - Hofstra University
CW William Brazier - U.S. Army Infantry Center Band
Gordon Brock - University of North Florida
Mark Camphouse - George Mason University
John Carmichael - University of South Florida
Richard Clary - Florida State University
Col. Michael Colburn - �Presidents Own� U.S. Marine Band
Ray Cramer - Indiana University (retired)
Jack Crew - Lincoln High School (retired)
Marc Dickman - University of North Florida
David Gorham - Owasso HS, Oklahoma
Maj. Scott A. Guidry - U.S. Air Force Band
Jason Ham - �West Point� U.S. Military Academy
Jay Jackson - Appalachian State University
William Johnson - California Polytechnic State University
Jo Jossim - Florida Southern College
Joseph Kreines - Composer/Arranger/Clinician
Gary Langford - University of Florida
John LaCognata - University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Timothy Mahr - St. Olaf College
Terry Moo - Gainesville, FL
Glenn Price - University of Calgary
Thomas Rohrer - Utah State University
Maj. Donald Schofield - U.S. Air Force Reserve Band
Paula Thornton - Buchholz High School (retired)
Frank Ticheli - University of Southern California
Jay Watkins - University of Florida
David Waybright - University of Florida
Lindsey Williams - University of Missouri
Scott Wilson - University of Florida

(last updated on 5.14.13)
News Archive

Listen to excerpts from our Spring Concert!
2013-14 Commitment Form due May 15th. Click here to print form.
The Year in Review 2012-2013!
Congratulations 2013-14 Band Officers
2013-14 All-State Audition Requirements have been published - click here!
CONGRATULATIONS Wind Symphony AND Symphonic Band for earning STRAIGHT SUPERIORS at State MPA! See complete ratings.
Listen to excerpts from Wind Symphony's State MPA performance!
Watch the 2013-14 PREVIEW VIDEO!
Summer music camps are offered at university campuses in and out of Florida and are a great way to further musical skill. The largest and most comprehensive camp in Florida is the FSU Summer Music Camp. For information about other music camp opportunities, visit our Links page and scroll down to "Summer Music Camps."
CONGRATULATIONS to Buchholz band students who earned 78 Superior medals and 14 Excellent ratings at State Solo & Ensemble MPA. See ratings for all Buchholz S & E events.

2011-12 Audio Yearbook Double-CD set!
Visit the store to purchase.

CONGRATULATIONS to Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony for earning Straight SUPERIOR ratings at District MPA! See complete ratings.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our choirs, Chamber Winds, Aviance Dance and Indoor Guard Ensembles, and Jazz Band for earning Superiors - see list below!

Flute Choir - SUPERIOR
Clarinet Choir - SUPERIOR
Brass Choir (SYM) - SUPERIOR
Brass Choir (WS) - SUPERIOR
Percussion Choir (SYM) - SUPERIOR
Percussion Choir (WS) - SUPERIOR
Chamber Winds - SUPERIOR
Dance Ensemble - SUPERIOR
Indoor Guard - SUPERIOR
Jazz Band: SUP - SUP - SUP = SUPERIOR

In all, Buchholz band students earned 193 Superior medals and 6 Excellent ratings at District Solo & Ensemble MPA!

See ratings for all Buchholz events!

Listen to selections from our Winter Concert!
Congratulations to all 48 of the Buchholz Band members that made the 2013 Alachua All-County Band! See results!

2012 FMBC Finals (Nov. 17, 2012)

BUCHHOLZ RETURNS TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS IN 2012! Buchholz won BEST MUSIC and 1st PLACE OVERALL BAND in the State Championship Class 4A Semifinals! Having qualified for the evening Finals performance, the Golden Regiment put forth its best performance of the season. When all tabulations were completed, Buchholz was named the FMBC State Championship 4th Place Band. The competition between the outstanding Finalist bands was so tight that the difference between 3rd and 4th Place was just .25! A WELL-DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS to the Golden Regiment for an OUTSTANDING season!!!

Listen to Finals commentary excerpts from the Ensemble, General Effect and Individual Music judges:

WUFT-TV News does story on FMBC State Championship - click here!
Listen to the Buchholz Wind Symphony perform Esprit de Corps (recorded LIVE at the UF Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 8, 2012)

2012 North Marion FMBC Regional - Score: 92.3! (Nov. 10, 2012)

GOLDEN REGIMENT STEPS IT UP AT REGIONAL! After winning BEST VISUAL, BEST GE, BEST DRUM MAJORS and 1st PLACE BAND in the Class 4A Preliminary Competition, the Golden Regiment won BEST OVERALL MUSIC in the Open Class Finals with top scores in ENSEMBLE MUSIC, GE MUSIC, and INDIVIDUAL MUSIC. Buchholz also came in 1st PLACE in INDIVIDUAL VISUAL and achieved its highest score of the season with a 92.3!

The Golden Regiment holds the highest score of all 4A bands in the state. This score is also the second highest of ALL bands in the state, regardless of school/band size, just .5 behind a former State 5A Champion Band. Way to rock the house heading into the State Championship, Golden Regiment!!!

2012 Southern Showcase Grand Champions (Oct. 13, 2012)

GRAND CHAMPIONS! At its first competition of the season, the Golden Regiment won the Grand Championship at the 2012 Southern Showcase of Champions! Buchholz has now won this FMBC Regional three of the last four years. The Golden Regiment garnered multiple caption awards including:

BEST Music
BEST Visual
BEST Brass
BEST IN CLASS Drum Majors
1st PLACE CLASS 4A Band

The Golden Regiment earned Distinguished Superior ratings (the highest possible) in General Effect Music, Individual Visual, Percussion, and Drum Majors, with all other categories earning very high Superior ratings.

The FMBC (Florida Marching Band Coalition) gives special credit to bands that achieve a block score from week to week based on the sliding achievement scale. The Golden Regiment achieved a block score. With its high score, Buchholz qualified for the State Championship to be held in the Tropicana Dome in St. Petersburg next month! Congratulations Golden Regiment!

Thanks to the 150 middle school students who were our guests for the Buchholz 2012 Middle School Bands Night! Click on Prospective Students for videos, photos and info about joining the BHS Band!