Announcements for Fall Semester - 2011

We had a great performance at TEACH Night. Beside the snafu with the keyboard being changed to a different key, and the pianist not knowing it, everything went well. He certainly handled the situation well!

Thanks to all that donated toward the director's gift cards. With your donations, I was able to buy a variety of cards.

It is time to think about next semester so keep an eye on this site for updates and new information as it becomes available.

We will have a date where students can come and try different types of instruments, like we had last year. That date hasn't been determined yet - I am hoping for a Friday in early August.

All the Encore groups will begin meeting on September 9th. Auditions, to move up to another level of orchestra or band, will be held in mid to late August. The audition piece is one that the student chooses and should demonstrate the level they are able to play at.

This coming year, we will be adding a percussion ensemble - led by Emily Bachert, a KU music major. This will be a fun group, and a way to learn rhythms and read percussion music. No prior percussion experience is required and those who already play percussion are encouraged to enroll. The age/grade level for participants is still being considered. Contact me or watch this site for more information.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer.

Blessings,

Martha

785-841-6308

End of semester announcments and reminders

We are just about at the end of another year of band, orchestra, and choir - a very successful year!!

This coming Friday - May 6th - will be our final rehearsal, leading up to our spring recital on May 9th. The program will be held at Community Bible Church, off the 10 Highway by-pass.

Band and orchestra members should wear concert black and white. Mr. Gaskin will let the choir know what they should wear for the performance.

Please be at the church by 6:30 with your music and music stand. The program starts at 7pm.

There is still time to contribute to the gift cards - they are given to the directors at the end of the semester. I will be at the rehearsals on Friday. the final day I can collect for the cards.

If you have any question, be sure to ask :o)

Time to compete!

We want to send our very best to all the kids competing at the Blue Ridge Festival on April 15th. Remember, no band or orchestra on the 15th or the 22nd. Please be sure to be at the two remaining rehearsals - April 29th and May 6th - recital/TEACH Night is May 9th at 7:00pm.

I will post the results of the competition, once I know the ratings.

Hope everyone travels safely - and I will see many of you there.

Blessings,

Mrs. Bachert

We will be rehearsing on Friday - March 25th

We DO meet this Friday, March 25th. There may have been some confusion about taking that day off due to Spring Break, but we WILL meet as usual.

However, thinking ahead: we will NOT meet on April 15th or April 22nd.

The 15th is the Blue Ridge Festival and several of the kids will be competing as well as the older choir.

April 22nd is Good Friday, we always take Good Friday off.

With missing two Fridays in April, please try to be at all the remaining rehearsals so all the music can be polished and ready for the spring recital/TEACH Night - May 9th.

Have a great week and see you Friday!

Spring recital/TEACH Night - May 9th

Hello Encore Families,

Our spring recital will be on May 9th, at CBC, starting at 7pm. Directions : http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=906+N.+1464+Rd.&city=Lawrence&state=KS&zipcode=66049

We will join in with the TEACH Talent Night for our spring recital, so our groups aren't the only ones performing. The program will start at 7pm.

We ask that all the groups - EXCEPT the elementary choir, to wear concert black and white to the program. That means all black, all white, or a combination of black and white. If you have any questions, let me know. Mr.Gaskin will let the elementary choir know what to wear.

The groups are sounding VERY good. We are pleased with the progress the kids have made this semester.

The jazz band has been asked to play at The Lawrence Arts Center on April 7th. If you would like to come out and support the members, they will play at 7pm in the lobby of the Arts Center, before the performance of The Music Man. The band will play for approximately 20 minutes.

The jr. high/sr. high choir will be competing at the Blue Ridge Festival on April 15th.

Thanks to everyone for your support.

Martha

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No Encore rehearsals tomorrow, February 25th

Due to the weather, we will cancel rehearsals tomorrow, February 25th.

We will see everyone next week as we prepare for the spring recital.

Thanks,

Martha

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