We are about to start our 11th year of offering a music program to area homeschoolers.  Basic info about our annual "meet and greet" is below.

Encore Homeschool Fine Arts, in Lawrence, KS,  will be offering an opportunity to try out various band and orchestra instruments, for those wishing to join our group. We have offered this for the past three years and have found it to be successful.  Students have a chance to try any instrument that is available that day. The goal is to find a good match between the student and instrument, and move toward a great musical experience as a member of our group.

Mark your calender for Friday, August 9th - 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, orchestra and choir for this year are based on enrollment but we are planning on the following:

Beginning Band- no musical experience required

Beginning Strings - no musical experience required

Concert Band - audition required

Chamber Strings - audition required

Jazz Band - audition AND enrollment in a band or strings group. 

Percussion Ensemble - no previous musical experience is required - students must also be enrolled in a band, orchestra, or choir in order to participate in a percussion ensemble.  There will be two levels offered this year. Students need to be old enough to sit and take directions for a 45 minute time span.

Elementary Choir - no musical experience or audition required

Jr. High/Sr. High Choir - no musical experience or audition required

Recorder Ensemble - no previous musical experience required

Guitar Ensemble - no previous musical experience required

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 apprentice groups. The student prepares a piece of music that demonstrates their ability and plays it for the director.  Students wishing to audition for a director can do that on the same day of the meet and greet.


Email contact: <hsmom@sbcglobal.net>

Rehearsals start on September 6th, we meet on Fridays at the Morris Baptist Center - in Lawrence.

Contact info: Martha Bachert - Founder and Executive Director - hsmom@sbcglobal.net - 785-841-6308

Music Directors:
Tony Swisher - Band/Strings/Jazz Director
John Gaskin - Guitar/Choir Director
Emily Bachert - Percussion/Recorder Director