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.