Directors

Jason Dobbs
is currently in his twenty-sixth year of directing Band and just completed his second year at Waterloo West. Previously, Mr. Dobbs served as Band Director at Crestwood JH/HS in Cresco, IA for fifteen years. At West, he directs the Wind Symphony, Jazz II, and co-directs the Marching Band, Pep-Bands, teaches lessons, and helps prepare students for Honor Bands and Solo and Ensemble Contest. Mr. Dobbs’ Concert and Marching bands have earned Superior Ratings at State Contest for 23 straight years and Marching Bands under his direction have earned numerous top and upper placings in Iowa contests. His Jazz Bands have earned consistent Superior Ratings at State and National events and earned multiple appearances at the Iowa Jazz Championships. Mr. Dobbs’ groups have performed in Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Nashville, and Orlando.
A native of Pipestone, MN, Mr. Dobbs earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD.

His professional affiliations have included IBA, NCIBA, NEIBA, IMEA, JEI, NEA and HWEA. Mr. Dobbs regularly adjudicates band festivals in the Midwest. He served as principal percussionist with the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra in Decorah, IA, and the Austin (MN) Symphony Orchestra. From 1992-94 he was a member of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps.

Mr. Dobbs and his wife Angela live in Waterloo and have four children (two graduated and two at home) and two dogs that keep things exciting around the household. Jason enjoys his time with Family, coaching youth sports, and his far too infrequent golf, tennis, and camping outings.

Sally Lange
is in her 13th year of teaching music in various K-12 capacities in general music, band and choir, and is super excited to join the Waterloo West family as Assistant Band Director! She co-directs Marching Band and Pep-Bands with Mr. Dobbs, and teaches lessons. She will help prepare students for Honor Bands as well as Solo/Ensemble Contest, and is also happy to collaborate with students as their accompanist. Ms. Lange holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg), and a Master of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. Influential teachers include Dr. J. Franklin Fenley and Mary Louise Poor (flute), Richard Smith, Dr. Wesley O. True and Elizabeth Lieberman (Piano), and Mrs. Stacey Larson Dolan, Dr. Charles Menghini, Dr. Robert Sinclair, Dr. David Eccles, Dr. Russell Coleman, Dr. Bruce Moss, and Dr. Frederick Fennell (conductors).
Her professional affiliations have included IBA, SEIBA, ACDA, NAME/IMEA, NEA and Sigma Alpha Iota. As a performer, she has served as principal flute with the Joliet American Legion Band, flutist with the Wheaton Municipal Band, Marion Community Band, Cedar Rapids Municipal Band and Big Timber Band, flutist and pianist with the Quad City Wind Ensemble, and Soprano with the Handel Oratorio Society (Augustana College) and Quad City Symphony Chorus. As a member of the Marching Mules (UCM), she was a featured soloist on keyboards, and graduate recipient of the Esprit de Corps award at VanderCook. Ms. Lange resides in Marion with her Standard Poodle, Sophie, and an orange cat named Ginny (Weasley). She has one (adult) daughter and son-in-law who live in Grand Junction, Colorado. Free time includes playing in community bands, hiking, camping and kayaking adventures in the summer, and snowshoeing, nordic and alpine skiing in the winter.