The Oregon Coast School of Music has hired a new director. Ida Jo Gates took on her new responsibilities as the school's director in June. Gates, was a teacher in the Music Department at Pima Community College with a bachelor and masters degrees in music education.

As an accompanist and choral director, Gates has immediate plans to form children's choirs, a School of Rock program for youth, a Drumming Clinic and a group orchestra for portable keyboard players. Private instruction in a variety instruments and voice training also will be available at the school, 2055 Union Ave, in North Bend.

Gates' husband, Rich Rehfeld, currently works for the University of Arizona as a database administrator in the College of Pharmacy. The school also will receive assistance from Rehfeld as a technical administrator.

For more information, those interested can call 756-4171.