History
Effort = Success
by Mike Koch
August 17, 2007
This page contains information about the history of the Bluffs Middle School Band program.
The Bluffs Middle School Band History
1987 – 1988
Directors: Georgene Diers & L. Dean Maxwell
6th Grade Band – 55 members
7th Grade Band – 66 members
8th Grade Band – 59 members
1988-1989
Directors: Georgene Diers & L. Dean Maxwell
6th Grade Band – 68 members
7th Grade Band – 52 members
8th Grade Band – 57 members
**Monday, May 1, 1989
The Scottsbluff Junior High/Middle School Band was the recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation coveted “SUDLER SILVER CUP AWARD” for 1988. The Scottsbluff Band was the only Junior High/Middle School Band selected from the entire United States to receive this honor.
The Sudler Cup is the Nation’s most prestigious award for Junior High/Middle School Bands. It identifies, recognizes and honors outstanding fine Junior High/Middle School Concert Band Programs that have demonstrated particularly high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of seven or more years.
Presentation of the Award was made by Gladys Stone Wright, one of our Nation’s most significant band directors, music educators, and pioneers of women in the field of band music.
1989 – 1990
Directors: Georgene Diers & L. Dean Maxwell
6th Grade Band – 70 members
7th Grade Band – 70 members
8th Grade Band – 46 members
Colorado State University Band Day Parade – 3rd Place
1990 – 1991
Directors: Georgene Diers & L. Dean Maxwell
6th Grade Band – 71 members
7th Grade Band – 65 members
8th Grade Band – 62 members
Old West Weekend Parade – Superior Rating
1991 – 1992
Directors: L. Dean Maxwell & Randy Raines
6th Grade Band – 79 members
7th Grade Band – 70 members
8th Grade Band – 65 members
Old West Weekend Parade – Superior Rating
1992 – 1993
Directors: L. Dean Maxwell & Randy Raines
6th Grade Band – 82 members
7th Grade Band – 79 members
8th Grade Band – 72 members
Old West Weekend Parade – Superior Rating
1993 – 1994
Directors: L. Dean Maxwell & Randy Raines
6th Grade Band – 83 members
7th Grade Band – 83 members
8th Grade Band – 76 members
Old West Weekend Parade – Superior Rating
1994 – 1995
Directors: L. Dean Maxwell & Steven J. Miller
6th Grade Band – 76 members
7th Grade Band – 80 members
8th Grade Band – 73 members
Old West Weekend Parade – Superior Rating
1995 – 1996
Directors: L. Dean Maxwell & Steven J. Miller
6th Grade Band – 74 members
7th Grade Band – 70 members
8th Grade Band – 76 members
Old West Weekend Parade – Superior Rating
1996 – 1997
Directors: L. Dean Maxwell & Steven J. Miller
6th Grade Band – 61 members
7th Grade Band – 77 members
8th Grade Band – 66 members
Old West Weekend Parade – Superior Rating
1997 – 1998
Directors: L. Dean Maxwell & Steven J. Miller
6th Grade Band – 65 members
7th Grade Band – 61 members
8th Grade Band – 66 members
Old West Weekend Parade – Superior Rating
1998 – 1999
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Steven J. Miller
6th Grade Band – 48
7th Grade Band – 63
8th Grade Band – 44
Old West Weekend Parade – 7th Grade Band – Excellent Rating
8th Grade Band – Superior Rating
Veteran’s Day Parade – 8th Grade Band
1999 – 2000
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Steven J. Miller
6th Grade Band – 53 members
7th Grade Band – 39 members
8th Grade Band – 61 members
Old West Weekend Parade – 8th Grade Band – Superior Rating
Veteran’s Day Parade – 8th Grade Band
N.S.B.A. Guest Band for Bandmasters Convention – 8th Grade Concert Band
2000 – 2001
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Steven J. Miller
6th Grade Band – 65 members
7th Grade Band – 54 members
8th Grade Band – 39 members
Scottsbluff Centennial Parade – 7th & 8th Grade Summer Bands Combined
Old West Weekend Parade – 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (90 members) – Superior Rating
2001 – 2002
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Debra K. Koch
6th Grade Band – 73 members
7th Grade Band – 61 members
8th Grade Band – 41 members
Sidney Oktoberfest Parade – 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (103 members) – Superior Rating
Old West Weekend Parade – 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (103 members) – Superior Rating
NSBA 8th Grade All-State Band - Tara Simpson (1st chair Clarinet)
2002 – 2003
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Francis J. Ibero
6th Grade Band – 81 members
7th Grade Band – 64 members
8th Grade Band – 56 members
Old West Weekend Parade – 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (122 members) – Superior Rating
Veteran’s Day Parade – 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (122 members)
N.M.E.A. Guest Band for All-State Convention – 8th Grade Concert Band
NSBA 8th Grade All-State Band - John Cantril (Trumpet), Nick Brening (Percussion)
2003 – 2004
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Francis J. Ibero
6th Grade Band – 56 members
7th Grade Band – 72 members
8th Grade Band – 60 members
Old West Weekend Parade – 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (130 members) – Superior Rating
Veteran’s Day Parade – 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (131 members)
NSBA 8th Grade All-State Band - Brooke Brown (2nd Chair Clarinet)
2004 - 2005
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Francis J. Ibero
6th Grade Band - 59 members
7th Grade Band - 49 members
8th Grade Band - 52 members
Old West Weekend Parade - 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (100 members) - Superior Rating
Veterans Day Parade - 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (100 members)
NSBA 8th Grade All-State Band - Zachary Durbin (Bass Clarinet), Breanna Elley (Clarinet), Justin Vogel (Trumpet)
Western Nebraska Middle Level Instrumental Music Contest:
Solos
6th Grade 17 - Superior 5 - Excellent
7th Grade 19 - Superior 7 - Excellent
8th Grade 9 - Superior 1 - Excellent
Concert Bands
6th Grade Band - Superior Rating
7th Grade Band - Superior Rating
8th Grade Band - Superior Rating
Music In The Parks Festival - 8th Grade Concert Band - 1st Place Class A (Superior Rating)
2005 - 2006
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Francis J. Ibero
6th Grade Band - 58 members
7th Grade Band - 46 members
8th Grade Band - 46 members
Old West Weekend Parade - 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (92 members) - Superior Rating
Veterans Day Parade - 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (92 members)
N.M.E.A. "Demonstration Group" for All-State Convention - 8th Grade Concert Band
NSBA 8th Grade All-State Band - Faith Hovey (Clarinet), Shane Feuz (Trumpet)
Western Nebraska Middle Level Instrumental Music Contest:
Solos
6th Grade 30 - Superior 4 - Excellent
7th Grade 22 - Superior 5 - Excellent
8th Grade 17 - Superior 7 - Excellent
7th & 8th Grade Percussion Ensemble - Superior Rating
Concert Bands
6th Grade Band - Superior Rating
7th Grade Band - Superior Rating
8th Grade Band - Superior Rating
Music In The Parks Festival - 8th Grade Concert Band - 3rd Place Class A
2006 - 2007
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Francis J. Ibero
6th Grade Band - 57 members
7th Grade Band - 44 members
8th Grade Band - 39 members
Old West Weekend Parade - 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (83 members) - Superior Rating
NSBA 8th Grade All-State Band - Allie Brisco (Trombone), Sara Frederick (1st Chair Mallet Perc.), Devon Marr (1st Chair Tuba), Karin Shedd (Trombone)
Western Nebraska Middle Level Instrumental Music Contest:
Solos -
6th Grade 25 - Superior 2 - Excellent
7th Grade 22 - Superior 2 - Excellent
8th Grade 12 - Superior 4 - Excellent
7th & 8th Grade Percussion Ensemble - Superior Rating
Concert Bands -
6th Grade Band - Superior Rating
7th Grade Band - Superior Rating
8th Grade Band - Superior Rating
Music In The Parks Festival - 8th Grade Concert Band - 1st Place Class A (Superior Rating), Overall best Junior High/Middle School Concert Band.
2007 - 2008
Directors: Michael A. Koch & Francis J. Ibero
6th Grade Band - 43 members
7th Grade Band - 51 members
8th Grade Band - 45 members
Old West Weekend Parade - 7th & 8th Grade Bands Combined (95 members) - Superior Rating
NSBA 8th Grade All-State Band - Lindsey Schanaman (Flute), Giles Hovseth (Alto Sax), Brooke Newens (Trumpet - Alternate)
Western Nebraska Middle Level Instrumental Music Contest:
Solos -
6th Grade 14 - Superior 7 - Excellent
7th Grade 21 - Superior 6 - Excellent 1 - Good
8th Grade 11 - Superior 7 - Excellent 1 - Good
7th & 8th Grade Percussion Ensemble - Superior Rating
7th & 8th Grade Brass Ensemble - Superior Rating
7th & 8th Grade Woodwind Ensemble - Superior Rating
Concert Bands -
6th Grade Band - Superior Rating
7th Grade Band - Superior Rating
8th Grade Band - Superior Rating
Music In The Parks Festival - 8th Grade Concert Band - 1st Place Class A (Superior Rating), Overall best Junior High/Middle School Concert Band.
