Noah Graben was named Director of Bands and Aviance at F.W. Buchholz High School in March 2021. His past positions include serving as assistant director of the University of Florida Concert Bands; assistant director of the Gator Basketball Band; saxophone instructor of the Gator Marching Band; graduate conducting assistant of Dr. David Waybright; and guest conductor of the University of Florida Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. In May 2021, Graben will earn his master’s degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Florida College of the Arts School of Music.
One of his internships while he was a UF undergraduate was with Buchholz Band & Aviance, so he joined the program with an understanding of our traditions and expectations of excellence in music performance expressed by our motto of SUDA: Spirit, Unity, Discipline, Attitude. He is excited to be back at Buchholz and prepared to maintain and enhance the program’s legacy.
Graben first began playing the saxophone when he was 10 and continued playing throughout middle and high school. During high school he was selected for the Florida All-State Concert and Symphonic Bands. When he graduated from John Carroll High School in Ft. Pierce, Florida, he was awarded the John Philip Sousa Band Award.
Graben came to Gainesville where he studied music education at the University of Florida and earned his bachelor’s degree with honors and a performer’s certificate in 2019. As a UF graduate student, he performed with the University of Florida Wind Symphony, the University of Florida Jazz Band, the All-Saxophone Festival Orchestra, and various saxophone quartets. His primary teachers include James Archer and Dr. Jonathan Helton. He has also played in masterclasses and received lessons from UF professors: Dr. Frederick Hemke, Arno Bornkamp, Gerard McChrystal, Lars Mlekusch, Dr. Nathan Nabb, James Bishop, and Susan Fancher.
Graben has performed as a soloist with the University of Florida Symphonic Band performing Paul Creston’s Concerto for Saxophone. In 2020, he won the University of Florida 2020 concerto competition, performing Robert Muczynski’s Concerto for Saxophone. In Spring 2021, he performed Muczynski’s Concerto with the University of Florida Wind Symphony.
Email: grabennc@gm.sbac.edu