Enrollment Form

The online enrollment form is complete and can be accessed from this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQOjrE05Rr_mYaFn5Iu6_USKTcQZ-tbDH_msueuILfqk7KxA/viewform?usp=sf_link

I can also send it our to individuals, via email, if that is helpful to families.

Please pass on our group information - that is how we grow.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Martha Bachert

hsmom@sbcglobal.net

Updates and Announcements for Fall 2021

We begin our 19th year, this fall. It doesn't seem possible that it has been that long since I reached out to a group of homeschooling families, to see what interest there was in getting a homeschool band together. It didn't take long before we added strings and two choirs. As the years went by, we added guitar, a preschool music class, and world percussion.  Covid brought a lot of changes and redirection for Encore. In addition to that, there is a change to announce in our choir and guitar program.

Mr. Gaskin will not be returning to Encore next year. He was offered a great opportunity to write a book, and needs to focus on that, as well as the many other things that keep him busy. Mr. Gaskin and his family, have been a part of Encore from the very beginning - so this is quite a change for me.

With the news of Mr. G leaving us, I began looking for someone that will be a good fit for our group. It gives me great pleasure to let you all know that Mrs. Bernet (Lauri) will be our new choir and guitar director. Change can be hard, but I know that Mrs. Bernet will make everyone feel very welcome. She has a lot of offer our group and I have enjoyed hearing some of her ideas for the upcoming semester. Read Mrs. Bernet's bio at the bottom.

So, will we ever see Mr. Gaskin again?  I sure hope so. After all, his office is in the main church and he is very likely to check in on how we are doing, from time to time. The decision to leave Encore, was not an easy one for him. In talking to him the other day, he is at peace with his decision. He is happy and positive about his new path. 

I am working on an updated enrollment form for the fall. The semester begins September 10th.The link will be on this site, as well as on facebook. Please share our information with families that would be interested in what Encore offers.

We will continue to meet at the Morris Baptist Center - 146 Indian Ave - in Lawrence, KS - on Friday mornings. We are a year long program, divided into semesters. Fees are $95 a semester, and we have a family discount for families with more than one student enrolled with the same director. We plan on having a Christmas and a spring recital. 

Due to the results from Covid, not all the groups mentioned in the sidebar (right side of this page) are being offered. Please refer to the new schedule that will be announced on the enrollment form, which is now included the link, in the post above..

Let me know if you have any questions - hsmom@sbcglobal.net - 785-841-6308. 

Watch this site, and our FB page, for updates and the link to the fall enrollment form.

Martha Bachert

Founder and Executive Director

Encore Homeschool Fine Arts

Lawrence, KS

*** Mrs. Bernet's bio:

My name is Lauri Bernet, and I am so excited to start a new venture with Encore Fine Arts program, to help train students to love music and do their best. I have 32 years experience as a private music teacher, and have been a music therapist for 27 years. I have operated Joyful Noise Music since Fall of 1994, and started a new business - Upward Tutoring, in Summer 2020.

A little about my education: I received my BA in Music (Percussion& Voice) in 1994, from Southeast Missouri State University, and completed Master's Coursework in Music Therapy at KU in 1997. I was blessed to teach music at Veritas Christian School from July 2013-July 2020, and established many new traditions there, and directed 5th and 6th Grade BAnd, 7-12th Grade Band, JH Choir, HS Choir, Class Guitar, Eagle Song Worship Team, and National Anthem Team.

I love being involved and working in local churches, and in other Christian organizations in our area. I especially love the Worship Ministry, and working with children of all ages, to pass along God's Word. The photo below was taken by Brad (husband). Ethan (son), myself, and Jeremy (brother), at Ethan's High School Graduation in 2020. Brand and I look forward to time with our family, traveling, and cheering for K-State (where Ethan will attend in the fall, even though the entire family cheers for KU) - we are trying new things!!!

Fall 2021 -

Encore will begin meeting on September 10th.

At this time, all groups will meet in person, at 146 Indian Ave - in Lawrence, KS  If there is a change in protocols, and changes need to be made, we will look at options.

If your student is not able to attend in-person classes, and wants to meet with the group online, please contact me - hsmom@sbcglobal.net. We are not sure if online will be an option, but want to hear from those that would like that to be offered. 

Enrollment will be done online, via a link that can be found on this site, as well as facebook. Once times have been solidified, the form will be available. We ask that only one form be filled out, per family. The enrollment form is for definite enrollment, so we can depend on the enrollment numbers turned in.

The schedule of groups and fees will be posted here, when available.

I hope you all enjoy your summer.

Spring Semester 2021

 Fall semester has ended. It was very successful, in spite of all the obstacles, thanks to the directors and parents for being flexible.  

Online groups - World Percussion and Bitty Beats will continue online, guitar and choir have an online option, as well as in person, band/strings will only meet in person. World Percussion and Bitty Beats will begin on January 22nd and ends on April 16th - 12 weeks of classes, with Good Friday off.

In person groups: Choir, Guitar, and Band/Strings will begin on Friday, February 5th, and ends on Friday, April 30th - 12 weeks of classes, with Good Friday off.  A traditional recital is not planned, but we may look at an online option.  For in person groups, there will be a cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces required and a protocol to follow, so the church is left sanitized at the end of the day. 

In person groups include choir, guitar, and band/strings, and meet at 146 Indian Ave.

Here is the link to the online enrollment form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3D9MRNJyXZDPRRx-Sq2FQ97CEC_3qfJPRHAoq105A68p6Lw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Fees:

Can be paid in person, for in person classes. Online student fees can be mailed to the director.

Band and Strings - $95.00 - payable to Tony Swisher -  1841 W. Ferrel Dr.  Olathe, KS  66061

Guitar - $95.00 - payable to John Gaskin - 2904 Atchison Circle  Lawrence, KS  66047

Choir - $70.00 (no charge for those enrolled in guitar) - also payable to John Gaskin

World Percussion - $80.00 - payable to Emily Bachert - 3119 W. 29th Ter. Lawrence, KS  66047

Bitty Beats - $70.00 - payable to Emily Bachert - 3119 W. 29th Ter.  Lawrence, KS  66047

There is a discounted fee for two or more students, from the same family, enrolled in band, strings, guitar or choir - as long as students have the same director. 

If you have any questions, please contact Martha at hsmom@sbcglobal.net

Stay tuned ..... updated information coming soon

 Fall semester is coming to a close soon. We appreciated all of the families that enrolled this fall. We were certain that we could make it work, and it has gone well, despite some glitches.

Watch this site and/or Encore's facebook page, for spring semester enrollment information. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is beginning to come together

Update - we now have class times and decisions made about in person and online options. The enrollment link is below. Please read info below the link for dates and additional information. Let me know if you have any questions. 

* * * There have been a few inquiries about the wearing of masks. All entering the building will be asked to wear a mask. Students may remove their masks upon entering the room and sitting in their seat. Students will be expected to put their masks back on after class, while leaving the room and building. The group(s) will follow the guidelines for whatever level we are at, during the semester. * * *

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3D9MRNJyXZDPRRx-Sq2FQ97CEC_3qfJPRHAoq105A68p6Lw/formResponse

We will be offering Band, Strings, Choir, Guitar, World Percussion, and Bitty Beats - a preschool music program. Please note that all groups perform secular music, except choir and guitar. Online options are Choir, Guitar, World Percussion, and Guitar. Bands/Strings are in person only. Guitar and Choir have the option of either online or in person. Those interested in online groups can be from anywhere in the country, as long as there is a good internet connection.

Original post:

We are working to finalize plans for the fall semester - our 18th year. No doubt it will be a different year from those past, but we are proceeding with the best plan we can come up with, due to the circumstances.

All the groups are being considered and worked on, however today, we are focusing on one group that has been finalized and ready to take enrollment - Bitty Beats. This is our preschool class for kids 2 1/2 - 6 years old. This class will meet virtually, through Zoom. The director, Miss Emily has experience with teaching groups online and will offer a great option for kids, that won't have to leave their home. This also allows kids from all over the country to join in. If have relatives that would be interested in a 30 minute music class for their preschooler, please let them know about Bitty Beats.
The class is $60. for 10 weeks of classes. A variety of themes, props, and materials are used, to supplement at-home learning.

Classes start on September 18th, and run through November 20th - on Fridays, at 10am. Contact me at hsmom@sbcglobal.net with questions and enrollment information.

Keep up with Encore through this site and Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/Encore-Homeschool-Fine-Arts-172711716123278

Stay tuned to our sites. We will be posting information about band, choir, strings, world percussion, and guitar classes.

Looking toward fall

Covid has certainly had an impact on our group.

The Encore directors are working on putting groups together, based on the interest of returning families. If you have not received a survey, please email hsmom@sbcglobal.net for a link to the survey.

Some families are willing to return, to groups, in person. Others have expressed interest in online options. Once we hear from the majority of our families, and interested new families, decisions can be made.

Thanks for all your support. Stay tuned to this site and our group facebook site, for updates.

New and returning families can submit the survey at the link below.


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1w_LsixwntO8OlL8zGzI-kyM6KFv8pWS3UcHdjVFI2gA/edit