New class, starting on January 8th

Contact Martha Bachert with questions or to sign up.

hsmom@sbcglobal.net or encorehomeschool@sbcglobal.net

Updates

Hello Encore Families,

Thank you all for your patience and understanding about the recital cancellation. In the 13 years of this group, we have not had to cancel a program. The directors were disappointed, but it couldn't be helped. 

Those in choir and guitar: the program at Pioneer Ridge has been rescheduled for January 15th, at 10am.  That will give the groups a chance to have one rehearsal before performing at Pioneer Ridge -  we start back on January 8th.

Update on Mr. Gaskin: He was released from the hospital last Friday. He is doing therapy and should recover nicely in about 6 weeks. The van he was driving was totaled. I spoke with him this morning and he is getting stronger each day.

Always check the Encore blog for last minute changes: encorehomeschoolfinearts.blogspot.com 

   

Thinking ahead:

Second semester rehearsals begin on January 8th.

For those interested in competitions, please see me about the two upcoming events in the spring. There is a sign-up deadline. One competition involves academics, as well as arts, speech, music, and more. 

There will be a preschool - kindergarten music class offered second semester. The fee will be $50.00 for the semester and will be a wonderful "first group" music experience for this age group. I will be sending out more information in the coming weeks. Class size will be limited.  Please contact me with questions or to sign up.

Percussion Ensemble: In addition to buckets, snares and "possibly" xylophones will be added to the mix. It is NOT required to own a snare or xylo to remain in the group.

Choir is able to accept new students for second semester. 

As I count my personal blessings this holiday season, I count all of you as well. I am incredibly blessed to have such supportive parents and great kids as part of Encore.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Martha

Hello Encore Families,

Mr. Gaskin, our choir/guitar director, was in a car accident Tuesday. His goal was to be out of the hospital in time for the recital on Friday, but now it looks like he will not be released as soon as he had hoped. Since he is our source for using the building, and all that goes into putting on a recital, we will be cancelling Friday's program. If you know of other families that are part of our program, maybe you could check with them to make sure that they have received this email. I don't want anyone to make the trip, along with family members, to an empty building.

Choir and guitar students - we hope to still do a program at Pioneer Ridge on December 4th - that is over two weeks away, so those plans still remain.  Watch for an email with more info on that, next week.

It saddens the directors and myself, that we can't show off what has been accomplished this semester. In thirteen years, we have only had to cancel once - due to an ice storm. Join me in praying for the Gaskin family - I know they would appreciate your prayers.

Second semester begins January 8th.

If you are not a member of our group and were attending the recital to learn more about us, please plan to come meet us on the first day of second semester.

Thanks everyone.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Martha

Tomorrow is our last regular rehearsal. The recital is next Friday, Nov. 20th - at 10am. The directors typically like the kids to arrive a bit early to warm up and tune. Plan on arriving no later than 9:40. 

Attention recorder and percussion ensemble students:  As announced last week - Emily will be at a music convention tomorrow, so her classes will NOT meet. 

She is going to rehearse with her students, the morning of the recital. Percussion students will rehearse/warm-up at 9am. Recorder students will rehearse/warm-up at 9:30.

The recital will be very low-key, a time of fellowship for the families and a chance to share what we have been up to this semester. 

The choirs and guitar ensemble(s) will go to Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living to perform for the residents on December 4th - at 10am. Mr. Gaskin will let the students know what time to arrive to warm-up.

We begin second semester on January 8th. We assume that all families will return, unless we are told otherwise. The directors use the break to plan for the next semester, planning music, writing parts, etc. Please let us know of any changes in enrollment.

As mentioned earlier in the semester - there will be a class offered for preschoolers - kindergartners, starting in January. The group will be taught by Emily Bachert, a masters student in music therapy.  It will be much like a KinderMusic class, with lots of interactive musical play. The class will meet for 30 minutes - the fee will be $50 per child, for the semester. Emily will be available to talk individually to interested families, discussing class times, etc., at the recital next week.

We are off to a great start!

September 11th, marked the beginning of our 13th year.  It was great to welcome back returning members, and to meet new members as well.

It was a bit chaotic at times, but we managed to get everyone where they needed to be.

We can still take new enrollment - so if you know of someone that is looking for a music program, please pass on the information.

I want to announce that in January, we will be offering a new class for toddlers - kindergarten aged kiddos. This class will be a fun way to introduce music to this age group - with hands-on instruments and social interaction with others, through music.The class will be taught by Emily Bachert. 

Emily is in her second year of  her masters degree program, in music therapy. She has experience with many populations, but has a soft spot for the "littles". 

More information will be posted this fall.  There will be two class times, 30 minutes each, which will meet on Friday mornings. during regular Encore rehearsal times. The fee will be $50.00 per semester.

Gearing up for the beginning of a new year

Our "meet and greet" went extremely well.

If you couldn't attend, there is still time to look for an instrument and join one of our many groups..

Perhaps your instrument is your voice, We would love to have you join the choir.

Percussion ensemble, recorder ensemble, music appreciation, and guitar ensemble are also an option.

We begin rehearsing on Friday, September 11th.  See side bar on the right for class times, scroll down a bit, it is there :o)

Please email for information or to sign up.

Enjoy what is left of summer!

Martha Bachert
hsmom@sbcglobal.net

Come join us . . . .

Encore Homeschool Fine Arts, in Lawrence, KS, is about to begin our 13th year! 

We 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 five 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 14th  - from 10am 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 - Upper elementary through high school. 

Music Appreciation -  Upper elementary through junior high  
 
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 11th, we meet on Fridays at the Morris Baptist Center - in Lawrence. Fees are due on or before the first rehearsal.  

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

785-841-6308 (home) 785-865-3422 (cell)

No Rehearsals on Good Friday

Just a reminder that we do not have rehearsals on April 3rd - Good Friday.

Have a wonderful Easter ~

He is Risen, Risen In Deed!

Upcoming dates to note:

Hello Encore Families,

Our recital and TEACH Night program dates are set as follows:

Monday, April 27 - 7pm - TEACH Night - this is an annual program/talent show for homeschoolers. We are unable to have all our groups preform that night,  due to time constraints. This year, the following groups will perform:

Intermediate Band
Jazz Band
Intermediate Strings
Intermediate Guitar
Percussion Ensemble
Jr/Sr High Choir

Monday, May 11 - 7 pm - Spring Recital - this will include ALL groups.

The location for both programs: Community Bible Church - where our Christmas recital was held.  

Time: 7pm for both programs, we will ask members to arrive earlier for tuning and warm-up. 
Dress for both is concert black and white. 

The groups are sounding amazing! We are all very proud of the hard work and commitment that the kids have demonstrated.  

The last rehearsal for the semester will be May 8th.  

Thank you for sharing your children with us - it has been a great year, such well-behaved kids. I have enjoyed watching friendships blossom.  We are incredibly blessed!


Martha

Second semester starts Friday

Hello Everyone,

Just a reminder that we begin our second semester rehearsals on Friday, January 9th.

See you then!

Martha