Post recital information/reminders

Mr. Swisher, Mr. Gaskin, and I would like to thank all of you for your support this semester. Thank you for sharing your children with us. All the groups did well and we hope that everyone enjoyed seeing and hearing the groups perform. We continue to be incredibly blessed with great families and kids!

A few reminders: Second semester starts on January 7th. I have had several inquiries about joining our group at the semester. If you know of others interested in our program, we can take new students in all the groups but beginning band and orchestra. (exception to that are students that already play an instrument and want to be in a beginning instrumental group)

Always refer to this website/blog for information, updates, cancellations due to weather, etc. That will be my main way of communicating with the group.

If anyone took photos that we could post on the site, and would like to share them, please email them to me. I forgot my camera on Friday and was hoping to get pictures of all the groups that day.

I noticed that both directors were sampling the "treats" that were given to them before ever leaving the building on Friday. I let both of them know that it is okay to not eat everything in one day :o)
Thanks to all of you that contributed, I know they enjoyed them.

A beginning band percussion player left their xylo after the recital on Friday. It is in the church office.

We wish you a blessed Christmas and healthy New Year!

See you all in January!

Martha

Recital and end of semester reminders

* This coming Friday, December 17th, will be our end of semester recital. The recital will begin at 10:30 but the kids are to be there earlier for tuning and warming up.

* PLEASE NOTE: The recital is at the same location we meet each week - The Morris Center.

* Beginning band and beginning orchestra are to arrive by 9:00.

* Intermediate band, jazz band, and intermediate orchestra are to arrive and be ready to tune and warm up at 9:30.

* Choirs are to arrive and work with Mr. Gaskin at 10:00.

* No need to dress up for the recital.

* Second semester starts on January 7th.


* This is the week to bring cookies/brownies/etc to your child's director, if that is something you would like to do.

* There is still time to sign up for the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival. The Festival is in March but membership dues must be paid by the end of this month. There are many areas to compete in - call me if you are interested in this. It is an affordable and homeschool friendly competition.

The kids had a great rehearsal on Friday!

Email or call with questions - 785-841-6308 (home) - 785-865-3422 (cell) - hsmom@sbcglobal.net

See you all on Friday!

Announcements and updates - please read

Please read the following information for the latest announcements and updates concerning our fine arts groups:

** We do not rehearse this Friday - a traditional week off for Thanksgiving. We will resume rehearsals on December 3rd and need everyone to attend the final rehearsals.

** There will be a recital on Friday, December 17th, beginning at 10:30am. This will be our last day to meet for the semester. There were so many conflicts that led to the decision to have the groups perform on a rehearsal day, rather than our traditional evening recital. The kids will need to be there earlier for tuning and warming up - each director will let the groups know what time to arrive on the 17th.

** For those in choir, Mr. Gaskin is returning to direct your group. As many of you are aware, he had surgery and needed more time to recover than originally thought. Thanks to Mrs. Laytimi for filling in for Mr. Gaskin in his absence.

** For those interested, we traditionally bring cookies/candy/baked item/etc. to the directors on the final day we meet, which is December 17th. I will send out a reminder on that when we get closer to that date.

** Second semester will being on January 7th.

** For those interested in competitions this year: the deadline to join the National Federation of Music Clubs is quickly approaching. They offer a nice competition for kids in many areas, in music, dance, poetry, essay writing, etc. If you have interest in this, let me know ASAP so I can get you the necessary forms. It is a friendly and affordable competition, many of our students have participated and enjoyed the experience. The competition takes place on March 5th, in Lawrence. There are many levels of competition - this isn't just for the student that has been playing for years.

** Those that want to compete at the Blue Ridge Festival, information will be sent out as soon as I receive it.

I look forward to seeing you at the recital on the 17th. The kids have worked hard and are sounding great.

If you have any questions, please email or call me - hsmom@sbcglobal.net - 785-841-6308. Check the Encore site for updates and announcements. That will be the place to check for weather related cancellations - www.encorehomeschoolfinearts.blogspot.com


Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Martha

December Recital

I know many of you have been waiting for a date to be put on the calender for our December recital. We usually have a date planned long before now but there were circumstances that we were working around, causing a long delay in a final decision.

Due to all that is going on within our group, we will have a small recital in the morning on December 17th - a regular rehearsal day - time to be announced as soon as the logistics are figured out - but it will be in the morning of that day.

Contact me with any questions :o)

Opportunity to have school pictures taken this Friday

Below is information about an opportunity to have school pictures taken this coming Friday - at the same location where the Encore groups meet.

You can contact me with questions, I may be able to answer them. My family has been participating in the opportunity for many years.




Attention for those who wish to have school pictures:

Creative Road Studio (same company as last year) has agreed to take pictures at the parsonage next to Morris Baptist Center. The date and time for pictures is set: Friday, October 8th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

There is no obligation to buy the pictures, but the packages are reasonably priced. He is also willing to do sibling shots if you want to send out a group shot during the upcoming holidays.

Cheryl DeVillier has agreed to help organize the day to make this happen. When Steve Herzog emails further information regarding proofs, ordering and etc we will send it on to you. The most important, is to get the date on your calendar!

Off to a wonderful start

Hello Encore Families,

We are off to a great start this semester. Honestly, I can't ever remember hearing such great sounds coming out of the rehearsals this early in the year. Yesterday was our second rehearsal, for some it was their first rehearsal - it sounded like a groups that have been meeting longer than just two times.

We still have a couple of kids on vacation, and we will still take new members so if you know of students that would like a fine arts experience, pass on our website and contact information.

For band and orchestra - always bring your music stand, your book, and accessories that might be needed like reeds, rosin, valve oil, etc.... Practice every day - it makes a huge difference!

For those in ninth - twelfth grade, we have a fine arts "lettering" opportunity. It is about accumulating points throughout the year. There is an option of ordering a chenille music note and various pins. Let me know if you are interested.

Everyone needs to practice assigned music so they are prepared for rehearsals every week. Private lessons, although not required, do add to the overall musical experience for students. I can help you locate a teacher if you are interested.

For those interested in competing musically, there are at least two options open to homeschooler's. They take place in the spring, but it is time to think about them long before the end of this year. These "festivals" are for vocal, strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, piano, and drama, public speaking, art, photography, jewelry making, etc. If this interests you or your student, be sure to ask me about the different opportunities.

If you haven't signed the group roster with your name, email, and phone number - please see me on Friday. I want to get an updated email list and don't want to leave anyone out. Most of my correspondence will be through this site, but there will also be times when I need to send out group emails.

The music directors and I are very excited about this year. Thank you for taking part in our program. We have a lot of fun but a lot is accomplished.

Once a date has been planned for the Christmas recital, I will pass it on.

Thanks!

Time to start rehearsing!

Hello all new and returning Encore members!

We have enjoyed meeting all the new families that will be joining us this year and eager for everyone, returning members and new, to meet for our first rehearsal of this school year.

All groups meet this Friday, September 10th. Everyone should know their rehearsal time - if not, let me know.

Please use this blog as a way to keep up-to-date on all group information. I will post weather related cancellations here, so be sure to always check here for the latest on those situations. Our general policy regarding weather is: If the directors can get to rehearsals, we will meet to rehearse. However, the decision to venture out in bad weather is always up to you, we want everyone to be safe and feel comfortable about getting out when the weather is less than desirable. More on that later - I am not ready to even think about snow and ice :o)

Payment for fees to the directors should be made out to the individual director but given to me.
I can be found in the main building throughout the day. Starting on September 24th, I will be teaching sewing classes, but that is held in the main building in the little room across from the ladies bathroom. I will be accessible during that time, just knock on the door.

If you know of families that wish to join any of our groups, it isn't too late to sign up.

Hope you all had a great summer and are ready to have some fun with music.

See you Friday!

Carpooling from the KC area?

If you are interested in carpooling in to Lawrence for Friday rehearsals, email me to be put in contact with other families that wish to do the same.

We have families coming in from all directions and some may wish to make connections with other families in their area to share driving into Lawrence.

Right now I am particularly looking at possible rides coming in from the Merriam, Shawnee, and Overland Park area. Of course, the amount of time you would be in Lawrence and the groups enrolled in will have to be taken into consideration.

If you email me with interest in getting connected with an other family, please include the group(s) you would be staying for so a match can be easily figured out.

Reminder for instrumentalists:

If you need help finding method books - let me know. Be sure to bring a folding music stand to rehearsals as well as your method book, cork grease and reeds for reed players, valve oil for brass players, rosin for string players, and mallets/drumsticks for percussionists - if you have a drum key - bring that for tuning when necessary. (did I miss any anyone?)

It isn't too late to sign up for any of the groups!

See you all on the 10th!

P.S. YIKES!!! I just noticed that I didn't have the Intermediate Orchestra's meeting time listed on the right-hand side - AND then I had some 'pm's" where an "am" should go. Everything should be fixed now.

Reminder - auditions this Friday - 8/27

We will gather at the Morris Center on Friday, August 27th, from 10:00 - noon for auditions.

Only students wanting to be in intermediate band, orchestra, or jazz band, need to audition.

It is done on a first come, first served basis.

If you want to meet the directors but don't need to audition, please plan to attend - we are eager to meet you in person if you are new.

If you have questions, look at older posts below for possible answers. You can email me as well.

Looking forward to a new season!

* * Reminder - instrumental "try-out" this Friday * *

Just a reminder about this Friday's opportunity to try out various instruments for orchestra and band. We will meet at the Morris Center - 146 Indian Ave - Lawrence - from 10:00 - noon. We are excited to host this sort of opportunity for our incoming families.

See post below for more information.

See you Friday!

Fine arts news for fall

I interrupt your summer with a fine arts "update" - dates to make note of, information about upcoming auditions and announcing an opportunity for new musicians to try instruments.

We used to send students to Hume Music Store to try various instruments, but they have closed. So to give students a chance to see what instrument they like the best, we will offer a morning session in August to meet for that purpose. Information regarding the day and time is posted below as information for new students.

It doesn't seem possible, but we are about to begin our eighth year. There are not a lot of changes for this year, just a few. Tuition, rehearsal day, and location will remain the same.

Mr. Swisher, our band director, will direct the orchestra this year. For those who didn't already know, he played the violin before trumpet or flute. If you haven't had a chance to meet Mr. Swisher, you will find him to be very knowledgeable and fun. (be prepared for "Uncle Kenny" stories though :o)

Hope everyone is having a great summer. We look forward to seeing you all in August for auditions. If you have any questions, be sure to email or call.


Here is the basic information that is being sent out for new students - feel free to pass it on. (current students should take note of day and times for auditions and the beginning of rehearsals)


The Encore Homeschool Fine Arts groups are gearing up for our eighth year. We offer beginning band, intermediate band, jazz band, orchestra, elementary and junior high/high school choir. We have several students that are involved in two or more groups.

All groups meet on Friday mornings at The Morris Baptist Center - 146 Indian Ave., Lawrence, KS. - off of Highway 10 in east Lawrence. The tuition is $95.00 per semester. There is a discounted rate for families that have more than one student in a group with the same director. ($95.00 for the first student, $70.00 for second, third, etc...)

If your student has not played an instrument before, we will be offering an opportunity to try various instruments to determine what fits the student best. The band/orchestra director, along with some of our high school members will be available on August 13th, from 10:00 - noon to assist students in exploring the possible choices. Please email or call the contact below with questions or to sign up for this opportunity.

For students that already play an instrument and want to join one of the groups, an audition can be set up on August 13th or 27th. Beginning band/orchestra members do not have to audition. Those wishing a spot in the intermediate level or jazz band should plan to play for the director. (audition music is a piece of your choosing that you are comfortable with and that shows the level you are at)

Once an instrument has been chosen, it can be purchased used, through the newspaper or at garage sales. If you are interested in renting an instrument, Meyer Music is a good place to start. In addition to an instrument, each member will need a folding music stand and a required music book.

Choir members do not audition but the director will be available on August 27th to meet and answer questions.


Dates and times to remember:

Friday, August 13th - a chance to try instruments and meet the director(s) OR audition for those who wish to be any instrumental group other than beginning band. (10:00 - noon) Morris Baptist Center - 146 Indian Ave - Lawrence.

Friday, August 27th - instrumental auditions for intermediate level groups and jazz band. Morris Baptist Center - 146 Indian Ave - Lawrence.

Friday, September 10th - all the groups begin rehearsing - semester fees are due.

Questions about any of the groups or to sign up, contact:

Martha Bachert - Founder and Executive Director

785-841-6308

encorehomeschool@sbcglobal.net - or

hsmom@sbcglobal.net

Summer and private lessons

We always hope that the kids will practice over the summer but it would also benefit them to take private music lessons. Taking lessons will help them retain what was learned during the year but to also advance to the next level.

The following individuals offer private music instruction:

Emily Bachert - clarinet, snare, xylo, marimba - 1 girlygirl@gmail.com or 785-840-7409

Patty Hamel - piano - pattytyme@hotmail.com or 785-979-2533

Beginning band members that wish to move up to intermediate band must pass an audition in August. The audition piece for that audition is Regal March, in the red band book.

I want to get the orchestra back up and running again. They took second semester off because the director decided to not return after the holidays. If you know of students that would like to be involved in orchestra, have them contact me for information.

Time to get busy!

Hello All Encore Members,

The Blue Ridge Competition is over and it is time to concentrate on the upcoming TEACH Night performance. Please do you best to attend the last three rehearsals, as Mr. Swisher says there is still a lot of work to be done to present a good performance that evening.

Thanks to all the families that helped and/or supported me through the Blue Ridge Festival. It was a success, but without the help of Lana Groundwater, delivering and setting up displays, it would have been much harder for me. So if Lana took one of your entries, please be sure to thank her for her help :o)

Once I have all the results of possible division winners for the festival, I will post the results. I didn't get a chance to write down all the awards that were given that day. If you would like your entry listed with the award you were given, please email me so I can post those.

The Encore Trio (aka "Advanced Ensemble) played a piece at Blue Ridge and played it very well, despite not being allowed to warm-up before performing in front of the judges. They received an "Excellent" award for their performance. More on the other entries in a future post.

See you all on Friday - time to get busy!

No Band this Friday - April 16th

Due to the Blue Ridge Fine Arts Festival, none of the bands will meet this week.

We wish all the members "our best" for their auditions and performances. I will post the results after they are released.

Please plan on attending the last three rehearsals to prepare for TEACH Night.

No Rehearsals this Friday - Good Friday

We will not have rehearsals this Friday - April 2nd - Good Friday.

All groups will meet the following Friday, April 9th.

Happy Easter!

Yes, we do rehearse during spring break

Just a reminder that there are rehearsals during "spring break".

I am still working on a date for our spring recital, which will coincide with TEACH Night.

Stay tuned!

No choir this Friday - February 19th

Choir will not meet this coming Friday. Choir will resume rehearsals the following Friday.

Band will meet as usual this Friday.

Second semester - starts this Friday - the 15th

Band and choir will meet at their regular times.

Orchestra - please check with Mrs. Schellman on whether you meet this Friday or not.

We are excited to have some new members join us this semester. Welcome to Kirsten and Isaac to beginning band, Matthew to intermediate band, and Sarah to jazz band.

For choir we are welcoming Kesandra.

See you all on Friday!

Reheasals Canceled for January 8th

Hi Everyone,

Due to the never ending snow and future forecast of very cold temperatures, we have decided to cancel the first rehearsal of the semester - January 8th.

We will meet on January 15th.

Stay warm!