Date set to try out instruments and audition

We will be offering an opportunity to try out various band and orchestra instruments for those wishing to join our group. We offered this last year and it was a success - many students had a chance to try any instrument that was available that day. The goal was to find a good match between the student and instrument, and that was accomplished.

Mark your calendar for Friday, August 12th - from 10:00am to noon. We will meet at the Morris Baptist Center - 146 Indian Ave. - in Lawrence. Students and their families can come and meet the directors, try instruments, learn about our groups, and ask questions.

An instrument repair person will be available that day for those who already have an instrument and want it evaluated or repaired. Information regarding places to rent or purchase new or used instruments will be available as well.


The levels of band and orchestra for this year are based on enrollment but we are planning on the following:

Beginning Band - no musical experience required

Beginning Orchestra - no musical experience required

Intermediate Band - audition required

Intermediate Orchestra - audition required

Jazz Band - audition AND enrollment in an intermediate/advanced group is required.

Advanced Band - audition required

And new this year - Percussion Ensemble - no previous musical experience is required - space is limited. For more information - click here.

Audition info: For those students that wish to be in intermediate/advanced groups or jazz, an audition with the director will be required.(no audition is required for beginning groups) The student prepares a piece of music that demonstrates their ability and plays it for the director. Auditions will be held the same day as the instrument "try-out" day - starting at 12:30 pm - first come, first heard basis.

Basic information about our groups can be found on this site - on the right side bar.

Email contact:

Martha Bachert -
Founder and Executive Director
Lawrence, Kansas

encorehomeschool@sbcglobal.net - or
hsmom@sbcglobal.net

Tony Swisher - Band/Orchestra/Jazz director
John Gaskin - Choir Director
Emily Bachert - KU music major/student director of Advanced Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble

New this fall - Percussion Ensemble

In our world we are surrounded by musical sounds. Our homes contain many objects that make great musical instruments. A plastic bin might be a bass drum or a metal pot could be a bongo. The new Encore percussion ensemble will make music in unlikely ways, by using household items as well as real percussion instruments.

Previous music experience is not required. Each student will start with the basics and learn skills beneficial to other instruments and to further their current or future musical abilities. Come and join the fun for an interesting group experience.

The group will be led by Emily Bachert, a KU music major and student director of the Encore Advanced Ensemble. The tuition will be $45.00 per semester and space is limited. The group will meet on Friday - time to be announced soon.

Students must be enrolled in another group in order to be eligible for the percussion ensemble. (choir, orchestra, or band) Email or call 785-841-6308 for more information or to be added to the class roster.