Time for band auditions

If you are a new or a returning Encore Band member, please put August 28th on your calendar to audition for Intermediate and/or Jazz Band. Auditions will be held at the Morris Center - 146 Indian Ave. - Lawrence, KS. We will begin at 10:00 am and students will audition on a "first come" basis.

In order to know the level and ability of all the students, it is important that all members audition with Mr. Swischer. (new and returning beginning band members do not have to audition)

There are four levels of band: Beginning, Intermediate, Jazz, and Advanced Ensemble.

Beginning band is for those students that are just learning a new instrument, but it isn't just for the "very" beginner. Some students stay in the beginning level for two or more years. There are no auditions necessary for this level. Students range in age from nine years old - high school. Some students are in higher bands but want to start a new instrument and join the beginning band to play that instrument. Beginning band should be thought of as an "apprentice" band and being held back to play at this level is common.

Intermediate band (Concert Band) is our largest group and an audition is required to play at this level. All ages and grade levels are in this group.

Audition piece(s) for this band:

#1 - Regal March - found in Standard of Excellence - Book 1
#2 - A piece of your choosing that shows the level you are at

Jazz band - members are chosen by audition by Mr. Swischer. Email Mrs. Bachert if you are interested in auditioning for jazz band.

Advanced Ensemble is a select "chamber" group. This group is small and members are selected by the need of particular instruments to play chamber music. The student needs to have a superior audition and be studying with a private teacher. If you are interested in auditioning for this group, contact Mrs. Bachert for audition details.

If you are in any of these groups and WILL NOT be returning, please email Mrs. Bachert.

All groups are planning on beginning the rehearsal year on September 11th.

Why Participate in Fine Arts?

The following article was written by a homeschool
band director but is applicable to orchestra and choir as well.
So consider the title - "Why Participate in Fine Arts".

WHY TAKE BAND?

Written by Paul Somer

Instruments of Praise Band Homeschool Band Director – Houston, Texas

Music is a science

It is exact, specified; and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor’s full score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time.

Music is mathematical

It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper.

Music is a foreign language

Most of the terms are in Italian, German or French; and the notation is certainly not English - but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language.

Music is history

Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, often even the country and/or racial feeling.

Music is physical education

It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lips, cheeks and facial muscles; in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back, stomach and chest muscles, which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets.

Music is all these things, but most of all, Music is art

It allows a human being to take all these dry, technically boring (but difficult) techniques and use them to create emotion and worship God Almighty. That is one thing science and mathematics cannot duplicate.

Your Child Should Study Music
To Gain These Benefits:

· Self Confidence

· Responsibility

· Mental and Physical Discipline

· Coordination - Dexterity

· Group Activity - Cooperation and Unity

· Creative and Recreative Activities - Self-expression

· Playing an instrument will put your child into worthwhile activities that will utilize constructive use of leisure time

· Research has shown that students who play in the band usually get better grades

· Increased joy of living through appreciation of the arts

· Development of a career or a vocation

· Being part of a team with a common goal

· Training to become a happy, cooperative and useful citizen

· Playing a musical instrument should provide pleasure for the child and the whole family

Please give your children the opportunity to learn to play musical instruments so that you and they may experience these advantages!

End of year and looking toward next year

Thanks to everyone for making the past year a success. TEACH Night went well, the directors were pleased and I hope you all enjoyed the evening.

Thanks to everyone who contributed towards the director's gift cards. We were able to give Mr. Swischer a $75.00 card, Mr. Gaskin - $80.00, and Mrs. Schellman - $50.00.

It isn't too late to fill out the form.If you are in ninth grade and up, and feel that you are eligible to "letter" in fine arts, contact me. The information and form can be downloaded from this site - see "Lettering Requirements".

We have some photos from TEACH Night but not of all the groups. If you have pictures of any of the groups on TEACH Night or during the choir recital, email them to me to possibly be posted on the blog.

We hope that everyone will return to participate in the Encore groups next year. If you know for certain that you will not be returning, please let me know.

Orchestra and band students - please practice your instrument over the summer. If you are interested in private lessons, check with Hume Music Store, or contact the following high school students that teach privately:

Luke Rhodes - piano lessons - saintoliver@gmail.com

Emily Bachert - clarinet/percussion - 1girlygirl@gmail.com

Many of our students have participated in music competitions over the past year. If you are interested in knowing more about these opportunities, please email me.

Have a wonderful summer!

UMKC Spring Festival

Three Encore students attended the Spring Music Festival at the UMKC Conservatory of Music in Kansas City. This is the first year that this competition has been open to students outside of the Community Music Academy. We hope that they will continue to keep this an "open" event.

Luke Rhodes competed on piano and entered a music composition. He received a "superior" rating on both his solo and composition.

Emily Bachert competed on clarinet and received a "superior" rating.

Thomas Bachert competed on trumpet and received an "excellent" rating.

Luke and Emily were chosen to perform their solos at a recital following the competition.

Choir recital/musical

The Encore Children's and Junior/Senior High choirs will be presenting their spring music selections at 6:30 Thursday, May 14, at the Morris Baptist Center, 146 Indian Avenue. The older choir will be presenting a musical, "The Light Brigade." The children's choir will be presenting selections assembled around the theme of responding to God's greatness with a life of holiness and service. The evening of music is open to the T.E.A.C.H. community.

Blue Ridge Festival

Thirteen Encore members participated in the Blue Ridge Academic and Fine Arts Meet, held on April 17th. This festival has been a yearly event, sponsored by Blue Ridge Christian School for thirty years.

This year, 814 students from various Christian schools in Missouri and Kansas came together to compete in various music, art, drama, speech, and academic events. TEACH signed up as a school and sent 41 entries.

Three of the students received a total of five medals for having the highest rating in their division. Congratulations to Luke Rhodes (2 medals), Emily Bachert (2 medals), and Allyssa Mailen (1 medal).

Participants - Division - Results:

Trevor Groundwater and Elizabeth Masson - Duet Acting - Excellent Rating

Trevor Groundwater - Photography - (2 entries) Superior Rating (on both)

Michael Schreck - Math Competition - Algebra I - Superior Rating

Elizabeth Blumhagen - Photography - Excellent Rating

Luke Rhodes - Music Composition - Superior Rating/Medal winner

Piano Solo - Superior Rating/Medal winner

English Composition - Excellent

Blaire Landon - Photography - (2 entries) Superior Rating (on both)

Humorous Interp - Superior Rating

Original Oration - Superior Rating

Piano Solo - Superior Rating

Andrew Currier - Piano Solo - Superior Rating

Music Composition - Superior Rating

Emily Bachert - Clarinet Solo - Superior Rating/Medal winner

Marimba Solo - Superior Rating/Medal winner

Photography - (2 entries) Excellent Rating (on both)

Thomas Bachert - Trumpet Solo - Superior Rating

Photography - Excellent Rating

Matthew Gaskin - Vocal Solo - Superior Rating

Humorous Interp - Excellent Rating

Sarah Gaskin - Vocal Solo - Superior Rating

Original Oration - Superior Rating

Sarah and Matthew Gaskin - Duet Acting - Excellent Rating

Allyssa Mailen - Photography (2 entries) Superior Rating/Best of Show

2nd photo - Good Rating

Graphic Arts - Superior Rating

Rachel Knight - Piano Solo - Superior Rating

Photography - Excellent Rating

Waiting for scores to be posted.

Seth, Emily, Sarah, Luke, and Jared

Allyssa Mailen - Photography Entry

Best of Show

Jared, Seth, Emily, Rachel, and Luke

Jazzing it up

Here are some recent photos taken during jazz band.

Photos taken by Pat Rhodes - thanks Pat!!