Band Staff



Director of Bands - Bluffs Middle School

Michael A. Koch is currently in his thirty-sixth year in the classroom and his twenty-sixth year as Director of Bands at Bluffs Middle School in Scottsbluff, NE. He directs the 5th Grade Beginning Band program, the 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Concert Bands, the Middle School Jazz Band, the Middle School Marching Band and assists with the High School Marching and Concert Bands. Prior to coming to Scottsbluff, Mr. Koch taught in Bridgeport, Shickley, and Milford, all in Nebraska.

Mr. Koch received a Bachelor of Music degree from Hastings College (1988) and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln (1998). He received the Jack R. Snider Young Band Director Award (1994), was recognized by the Scottsbluff Jaycees as Outstanding Teacher (2003), received a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association (2003, 2017, 2019, 2023), was selected Music Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Music Educators Association (2013), and received a Career Teacher Award for 35 years of dedicated service to music education in Nebraska from N.M.E.A (2022).

Bluffs Middle School 8th Grade Bands, under the direction of Mr. Koch, have been selected to perform as guest band for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Convention (2000, 2016, 2022), as guest band for the Nebraska Music Education Association Convention (2002, 2018, 2022), were asked to perform as a "demonstration band" for the Nebraska Music Education Association Convention (2005 & 2013), and have consistently received Superior Ratings and Best Overall Jr. High/Middle School Band Awards at the "Music In The Parks" Festivals of Music in Denver, Colorado. Members of the 7th & 8th Grade Bands have performed in concert with the "Dallas Brass" (2009 & 2022) and the "Presidio Brass" (2012), and the 7th & 8th Grade Brass Ensemble was selected to perform at "Music Education Week at the Capitol" (2012).

Mr. Koch is a past Board Member of the Nebraska Music Educators Association (Middle-Level Affairs - 2007 & 2008), he is a staff member for the Nebraska Ambassadors of Music (2003 to present - traveling to Europe ten times), and a member of Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity. He is also a member of the Nebraska Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, Nebraska State Education Association, and the Scottsbluff Education Association.

Assistant Director of Bands/Choir Accompanist - Bluffs Middle School

Debra K. Koch is currently in her twenty-fifth year as Assistant Band Director/Accompanist at Bluffs Middle School in Scottsbluff, NE. She assists with the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade marching and concert bands. She also accompanies both the Seventh and Eighth Grade Choirs and the BMS Show Choir.

 

Mrs. Koch is a native of York, NE. During her high school years, she was Drum Major for three years, was selected to the All-State Band for two years (Mallet Percussion), and received the John Philip Sousa Band Award for two years. She graduated from York High School in 1985. Mrs. Koch then attended Kearney State College and received a Bachelor's Degree (1989). Her major focus was Instrumental Music, and she is certified to teach K-12 Vocal/Instrumental Music.


Mrs. Koch was Assistant Director of the Band Program in Scottsbluff, 7-12 Vocal Music Director in Bridgeport, 5-6 Instrumental Music Director in Fairbury, and K-12 Vocal/Instrumental Music Director in Polk-Hordville, all in Nebraska.

Director of Bands - Scottsbluff High School

Frank Ibero is currently in his twenty-third year of teaching and his twenty-first year as Director of Bands at Scottsbluff High School. Mr. Ibero is responsible for conducting the High School Marching Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band and assists with the 5th, 6th & 7th Grade Bands. Prior to coming to Scottsbluff, Mr. Ibero taught in Ravenna, Nebraska.

Mr. Ibero received a B.A. degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney (2000) with an emphasis in K-12 Music Education and an M.A. in Music Education also from the University of Nebraska at Kearney (2008).

Under Mr. Ibero's direction, Scottsbluff High School Bands have consistently earned Superior and Excellent Ratings. In addition, he has been an active adjudicator at marching contests, conference solo and large ensemble contests, and district music contest.

Mr. Ibero is the Past-President of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association (2015-2016) and is a member of Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, Nebraska Music Educators Association, and National Association for Music Education.

In his spare time, Mr. Ibero enjoys reading, running, geocaching, and spending time with his family, Shannon his wife, his daughter Ashlyn, and son Riley.