Christmas Recital (and end of semester information)

It is hard to believe that it is time to talk about our Christmas recital, but the calender says it is. In addition to this email, a flyer with recital info, will be passed out to the kids tomorrow.

Our recital will be on Friday, December 6th at 10:00am.  The location is Community Bible Church, 906 N 1464 Rd, Lawrence, KS - off the K-10 by-pass.

We know that a morning recital isn't good for all the families, but with the busy season, we have found that it is all we can do. If your student cannot be at the recital, please let me know ASAP.

The kids will need to arrive at CBC by 9:30am.  They will need their music stands and music.  The directors will let the kids know how they should dress for the recital.

December 6th will be our last meeting for this semester, second semester will begin on January 10th, fees will be due in January.

We will NOT meet the Friday after Thanksgiving. Please try to be at the remaining rehearsals.

We appreciate those who have communicated with us about being absent from rehearsals.  Since we have small ensembles, it is important to know if someone will be missing, especially if it is more than one week in a row.

The directors use the time off to plan/prepare music for the next semester. Unless you let us know otherwise, we will plan on your student returning second semester.

We use this Encore blog/website, to alert families about winter weather cancellations.  Please bookmark this site - I will post any cancellations here, as soon as a decision has been made to cancel rehearsals.

Thank you for sharing your student(s) with us.  We have a great group of families that make up Encore!

Blessings!

Hello Encore Families,

We are about to embark on a new school year, a new rehearsal season, our eleventh year!  There have been some changes over the years, but the fees have remained the same, and we are thankful to not have to raise them.

If you refer a family to our groups and they sign-up, you will get $10.00 off your fees.  If you bring in more than one family, you receive $10.00 off for each family that joins.

Envelopes with the director's names will be on the counter in the back of the rehearsal room.  That is where you can put your fees for the semester.  Make checks payable to each director, info about that will be on the counter as well.  I need to get everyone's email address and contact info as well, so add that to the clipboard that will also be sitting on the counter - lots of "stuff" on the counter :o)

We will see everyone on September 6th - at the Morris Center - groups start at 9am, check the sidebar on the right to find out when various groups rehearse.

I will be offering sewing classes during rehearsal times.  I have a few openings left for beginning and intermediate students.

Looking forward to seeing those who are returning and the new families that are joining us.

Blessings!

Martha

Still time to find and instrument and join a group

The "meet and greet" went very well.  We met some new families and some of our regulars showed up to sign up for new groups.

If you missed the opportunity to find an instrument and still need help, please email me ASAP - there is time to accomplish that and be ready for the first rehearsal on September 6th.

Thanks to Beautiful Music and The Band-Aid for attending the instrumental tryout.  Please see these businesses for your musical needs.  They rent and sell instruments and accessories, as well as do repairs.  The support and help our groups out and we like to return the favor.

I will be offering sewing classes that meet during the rehearsals.  The fee is $95.00 per semester - email me regarding any questions about the classes.

Enjoy what is left of summer - it is going way too quickly for me.

Martha

hsmom@sbcglobal.net

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

New for fall

This fall, contingent on enrollment, we will add the following ensembles to our group:

Beginning guitar and Recorder

Check back for more information about these two new opportunities or email me directly at hsmom@sbcglobal.net

Have a great summer!

Martha

Spring Recital - April 29th

We  will hold our final recital in conjunction with TEACH Night - a talent show for homeschoolers.

The program will be at Community Bible Church, in Lawrence, off the K-10 by-pass.

Please arrive by 6:30 for tuning and warming up - the program will begin at 7pm,  We will end the evening with a reception, so each family should bring a finger-food snack to share.

Email me with questions - hsmom@sbcglobal.net

We do rehearse during Spring Break

We know that some will be away for Spring Break, but we will still hold rehearsals.  It is a good time to come and get help with your music, as the class size is smaller and the directors can work through some of the rough spots for those that can attend.

As always, watch this site for any cancellations due to weather. 

Have to cancel again this week - March 1st

No rehearsals this week - so many of us are heading to the State Tournament.

Be sure to take time to practice and be ready to work hard next Friday!

No rehearsals or sewing classes tomorrow

Hope everyone will think to practice during the week - practicing is good, makes the directors happy :o)

Enjoy the snow, be safe!

Watch this blog for weather cancellation

This is the place to check for weather cancellations, in the event that we need to get that information out.

Word on that will be posted as soon as decisions are made.