Happy New Year!

Even with a few glitches, the Christmas recital went well. Thanks to you all for arriving early to warm up and for helping with set-up and take down of chairs.

A special thank you to David Barfield for being the "sound guy" - we couldn't have managed without him.

All the groups will resume rehearsals on January 8th. That will be the beginning of second semester - I will collect fees during the month of January. Second semester fees are $90.00 per student, $70.00 for the second student in the same family/with the same director.

Thanks for all of your support. It would be impossible to run this group without your encouragement.

Have a safe, healthy, and blessed 2010!

Reminders

Hello Everyone,

There will be no band, choir, or orchestra this Friday, November 27. Rehearsals will resume the following Friday, December 4th.

There are two rehearsals left before the end of the semester and the recital on December 13th.

For those interested in bringing cookies, brownies, etc., to your child's director, we will be doing that on our last rehearsal - December 11th. (I know that Mr. Gaskin and Mr. Swischer have quite a sweet tooth and chocolate is a favorite :o)

We will be losing one of our faithful and a long-time member of our group. Ben Munson, who plays tuba in intermediate band and flute in jazz band, will be moving to Kentucky in December. In fact he will move before our recital. Ben has been with the Encore group for six years and will be missed. Best wishes to Ben and his family!

Finally, birthday greetings to Mr. Swischer!!! His birthday is November 28th. Happy Birthday!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Christmas recital

We have a date and location for our annual Christmas recital.

This year we will hold our recital at the Community Bible Church - the location where we participate in TEACH Night, each spring. See church website for directions: http://community-bible.org/home/visit-us/

The program is scheduled for Sunday, December 13th, beginning at 3:00 pm. We will need the kids there 30 minutes earlier for tuning and warm-up.

Choir members should dress in their "Sunday best". Band and orchestra members should wear concert "black and white".

Band, orchestra, and choir will meet up through December 11th and then will take a break until January 8th - which will be the beginning of second semester.

Contact me with any questions.

Thanks,

Martha

Time to get started!

All the Encore groups will begin rehearsing this coming Friday, September 11th at the following times:

Beginning Band and Jr./Sr Choir - 9:00 am

Intermediate Band and Elementary Choir - 10:00 am

Advanced Ensemble and Orchestra - 11:00 am

Jazz Band - Noon

Each group meets for 50 minutes.

Please bring your instruments, band book, and music stand every week.

Fees should be made out to your child's director and given to Mrs. Bachert.

Semester fees are: $95.00

If you have more than one child in a group with the same director, the fee for the second child is $70.00.

Band and choir meet at the Morris Center - 146 Indian Ave. Orchestra meets at the home of the director.

PLEASE NOTE:

Due to some behavioral issues last year, it has become necessary to implement a "code of conduct" for our members. We ask that each member and a parent sign the form that can be viewed, downloaded, and printed from a link, located on the right side of this site or click here to get directly to the document. If you have already signed and turned in the TEACH Conduct Form, it is not necessary to sign the Encore form.

We are all looking forward to another great year!

Time for band auditions

If you are a new or a returning Encore Band member, please put August 28th on your calendar to audition for Intermediate and/or Jazz Band. Auditions will be held at the Morris Center - 146 Indian Ave. - Lawrence, KS. We will begin at 10:00 am and students will audition on a "first come" basis.

In order to know the level and ability of all the students, it is important that all members audition with Mr. Swischer. (new and returning beginning band members do not have to audition)

There are four levels of band: Beginning, Intermediate, Jazz, and Advanced Ensemble.

Beginning band is for those students that are just learning a new instrument, but it isn't just for the "very" beginner. Some students stay in the beginning level for two or more years. There are no auditions necessary for this level. Students range in age from nine years old - high school. Some students are in higher bands but want to start a new instrument and join the beginning band to play that instrument. Beginning band should be thought of as an "apprentice" band and being held back to play at this level is common.

Intermediate band (Concert Band) is our largest group and an audition is required to play at this level. All ages and grade levels are in this group.

Audition piece(s) for this band:

#1 - Regal March - found in Standard of Excellence - Book 1
#2 - A piece of your choosing that shows the level you are at

Jazz band - members are chosen by audition by Mr. Swischer. Email Mrs. Bachert if you are interested in auditioning for jazz band.

Advanced Ensemble is a select "chamber" group. This group is small and members are selected by the need of particular instruments to play chamber music. The student needs to have a superior audition and be studying with a private teacher. If you are interested in auditioning for this group, contact Mrs. Bachert for audition details.

If you are in any of these groups and WILL NOT be returning, please email Mrs. Bachert.

All groups are planning on beginning the rehearsal year on September 11th.

Why Participate in Fine Arts?

The following article was written by a homeschool
band director but is applicable to orchestra and choir as well.
So consider the title - "Why Participate in Fine Arts".

WHY TAKE BAND?

Written by Paul Somer

Instruments of Praise Band Homeschool Band Director – Houston, Texas

Music is a science

It is exact, specified; and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor’s full score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time.

Music is mathematical

It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper.

Music is a foreign language

Most of the terms are in Italian, German or French; and the notation is certainly not English - but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language.

Music is history

Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, often even the country and/or racial feeling.

Music is physical education

It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lips, cheeks and facial muscles; in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back, stomach and chest muscles, which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets.

Music is all these things, but most of all, Music is art

It allows a human being to take all these dry, technically boring (but difficult) techniques and use them to create emotion and worship God Almighty. That is one thing science and mathematics cannot duplicate.

Your Child Should Study Music
To Gain These Benefits:

· Self Confidence

· Responsibility

· Mental and Physical Discipline

· Coordination - Dexterity

· Group Activity - Cooperation and Unity

· Creative and Recreative Activities - Self-expression

· Playing an instrument will put your child into worthwhile activities that will utilize constructive use of leisure time

· Research has shown that students who play in the band usually get better grades

· Increased joy of living through appreciation of the arts

· Development of a career or a vocation

· Being part of a team with a common goal

· Training to become a happy, cooperative and useful citizen

· Playing a musical instrument should provide pleasure for the child and the whole family

Please give your children the opportunity to learn to play musical instruments so that you and they may experience these advantages!

End of year and looking toward next year

Thanks to everyone for making the past year a success. TEACH Night went well, the directors were pleased and I hope you all enjoyed the evening.

Thanks to everyone who contributed towards the director's gift cards. We were able to give Mr. Swischer a $75.00 card, Mr. Gaskin - $80.00, and Mrs. Schellman - $50.00.

It isn't too late to fill out the form.If you are in ninth grade and up, and feel that you are eligible to "letter" in fine arts, contact me. The information and form can be downloaded from this site - see "Lettering Requirements".

We have some photos from TEACH Night but not of all the groups. If you have pictures of any of the groups on TEACH Night or during the choir recital, email them to me to possibly be posted on the blog.

We hope that everyone will return to participate in the Encore groups next year. If you know for certain that you will not be returning, please let me know.

Orchestra and band students - please practice your instrument over the summer. If you are interested in private lessons, check with Hume Music Store, or contact the following high school students that teach privately:

Luke Rhodes - piano lessons - saintoliver@gmail.com

Emily Bachert - clarinet/percussion - 1girlygirl@gmail.com

Many of our students have participated in music competitions over the past year. If you are interested in knowing more about these opportunities, please email me.

Have a wonderful summer!

UMKC Spring Festival

Three Encore students attended the Spring Music Festival at the UMKC Conservatory of Music in Kansas City. This is the first year that this competition has been open to students outside of the Community Music Academy. We hope that they will continue to keep this an "open" event.

Luke Rhodes competed on piano and entered a music composition. He received a "superior" rating on both his solo and composition.

Emily Bachert competed on clarinet and received a "superior" rating.

Thomas Bachert competed on trumpet and received an "excellent" rating.

Luke and Emily were chosen to perform their solos at a recital following the competition.

Choir recital/musical

The Encore Children's and Junior/Senior High choirs will be presenting their spring music selections at 6:30 Thursday, May 14, at the Morris Baptist Center, 146 Indian Avenue. The older choir will be presenting a musical, "The Light Brigade." The children's choir will be presenting selections assembled around the theme of responding to God's greatness with a life of holiness and service. The evening of music is open to the T.E.A.C.H. community.

Blue Ridge Festival

Thirteen Encore members participated in the Blue Ridge Academic and Fine Arts Meet, held on April 17th. This festival has been a yearly event, sponsored by Blue Ridge Christian School for thirty years.

This year, 814 students from various Christian schools in Missouri and Kansas came together to compete in various music, art, drama, speech, and academic events. TEACH signed up as a school and sent 41 entries.

Three of the students received a total of five medals for having the highest rating in their division. Congratulations to Luke Rhodes (2 medals), Emily Bachert (2 medals), and Allyssa Mailen (1 medal).

Participants - Division - Results:

Trevor Groundwater and Elizabeth Masson - Duet Acting - Excellent Rating

Trevor Groundwater - Photography - (2 entries) Superior Rating (on both)

Michael Schreck - Math Competition - Algebra I - Superior Rating

Elizabeth Blumhagen - Photography - Excellent Rating

Luke Rhodes - Music Composition - Superior Rating/Medal winner

Piano Solo - Superior Rating/Medal winner

English Composition - Excellent

Blaire Landon - Photography - (2 entries) Superior Rating (on both)

Humorous Interp - Superior Rating

Original Oration - Superior Rating

Piano Solo - Superior Rating

Andrew Currier - Piano Solo - Superior Rating

Music Composition - Superior Rating

Emily Bachert - Clarinet Solo - Superior Rating/Medal winner

Marimba Solo - Superior Rating/Medal winner

Photography - (2 entries) Excellent Rating (on both)

Thomas Bachert - Trumpet Solo - Superior Rating

Photography - Excellent Rating

Matthew Gaskin - Vocal Solo - Superior Rating

Humorous Interp - Excellent Rating

Sarah Gaskin - Vocal Solo - Superior Rating

Original Oration - Superior Rating

Sarah and Matthew Gaskin - Duet Acting - Excellent Rating

Allyssa Mailen - Photography (2 entries) Superior Rating/Best of Show

2nd photo - Good Rating

Graphic Arts - Superior Rating

Rachel Knight - Piano Solo - Superior Rating

Photography - Excellent Rating

Waiting for scores to be posted.

Seth, Emily, Sarah, Luke, and Jared

Allyssa Mailen - Photography Entry

Best of Show

Jared, Seth, Emily, Rachel, and Luke

Jazzing it up

Here are some recent photos taken during jazz band.

Photos taken by Pat Rhodes - thanks Pat!!

Congratulations are in order

Recently, a group of our TEACH/Encore members competed in the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival. We congratulate them for their hard work and accomplishments.

Luke Rhodes - Sophomore
Piano Solo - Superior + and Concerto Competition - Superior+
Music Composition - First place in Class IV Division
with the score of 100 on his composition Valse in F - minor, Dramatique, Op 1 for pianoforte.
Update - Luke's composition received first place in Regionals and is now moving on to Nationals.

Rachel Knight - Senior
Piano Solo - Excellent

Emily Bachert - Junior
Marimba Solo - Superior
Clarinet Solo - Superior

Thomas Bachert - 8th grade
Trumpet Solo - Satisfactory

Andrew Currier - 8th grade
Music Composition - score of 97 on his composition

Blaire Landon - 9th grade
Music Theory - Superior
Piano Solo - Excellent

Ethan Rhodes - 6th grade
Fiddling Solo - Excellent

Blythe Landon - 3rd grade
Violin Solo - Superior

UMKC Spring Festival - Competition Opportunity

The School of Music and Dance, at UMKC, is sponsoring a spring festival/audition opportunity for elementary - high school students.

This will be held on the UMKC campus in Kansas City - Saturday - April 25th.

Check out the site for more information:

http://conservatory.umkc.edu/community_academy/spring_festival.aspx

Several Encore members are planning to compete. If you have questions regarding this competition, email me.

Academic and Fine Arts Competition

Hello Encore Families,

I just received information about a great opportunity for our kids to compete in fine arts and academics. This competition is being held by Blue Ridge Christian School in Kansas City, MO.

The competition is April 17th and the deadline to register is March 13th. However, I have to send all the information and fees in at once, so in order to meet that deadline, I will need forms and fees by March 6th.

If your student is interested in competing in music, math, drama, writing, art, science, speech, or photography and is grades 7 - 12th, contact me for more information. The large group fee has been paid by TEACH, so that makes the individual fees only $7.00 per entry. Participating families must be members of TEACH to register. If you need that form, let me know.

There are specific rules for each division. I would be happy to visit with you individually about the areas that are open to our students.

UPDATE - March 14, 2009 -

The deadline has passed to sign up for this competition. There was a lot of interest and many signed up. Check back for more details after the festival.

Fine Arts Lettering Opportunity

Attention all band, orchestra, and choir members
who are in 9th - 12th grade:

We offer an opportunity to letter in fine arts
by meeting certain requirements.

Encore Fine Arts Letter Requirements

9^th – 12^th grade students accumulating a total of 100 points or more,

over the course of two semesters,

will be eligible for a varsity fine arts letter.

Earn a varsity letter by meeting the following criteria:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Student must be a member of one or more of the Encore groups for the entire year.

Attendance – no more than one absence per semester – 10 pts/sem

Weekly private lessons on your major band, orchestra instrument, or voice – 25 pts/sem

Weekly private lessons on a secondary instrument or voice – 15 pts/sem

Participation in more than one Encore group – 10 pts/sem

Participation in solo festivals or competitions – 20 pts per event/sem

Rating of I or II in competitions – 10 points per rating/sem

Recital participation – 20 pts/sem

Ongoing participation in other groups outside of Encore (church, youth symphony) – 20 pts/sem

Solo performances outside of Encore (recital, church) – 5 pts per performance/sem
Points limited to 15 per semester

Aiding other Encore groups with ongoing participation – 20 pts/sem

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Please email me for the form needed to keep track of the points at:

encorehomeschool@sbcglobal.net

It is the responsibility of the student to record points by date and event and have a parent sign off on final point calculation. The point sheet should be turned in to Mrs. Bachert by May 1. The cost of the letter and any postage, handling, admin fees will be due at that time as well.

The award is a chenille music note. Each individual student can choose pins to go on the chenille to represent areas of music that each student has participated in.

The final costs will be determined by the number ordered so that amount may not be available until early spring.

Eight Encore members were eligible to letter last year. The points accumulated by those students ranged from 120 to over 400.

Christmas Recital 2008

Here are a few pictures taken the night of the recital.

They weren't taken with the idea that they would be posted on a site, so they aren't the best. Now that we have a real place to post our photos, quality and quanity will be more important.
Unfortunately, the elementary choir is not pictured here due to technical issues.

Intermediate Band


Junior High/Senior High Choir


Jazz Band


Intermediate Band (pianist - not pictured)




Mr. Swischer and Mrs. Schellman


Orchestra


Advanced Ensemble (pianist, not pictured)


Beginning Band


Junior High/Senior High Choir

Second Semester Information

Band, Orchestra, and Choir will resume rehearsals on January 9th.

Second semester fees are due in January. The fee is $90.00 per student.

If there is a reduced fee for families with more than one student,
in a group with the same director. ($70.00 for second, third, etc.)

Checks are made out to the individual directors:

Band - Tony Swischer
Orchestra - Gaia Schellman
Choir - John Gaskin

Contact Martha Bachert with questions:
encorehomeschool@sbcglobal.net