Spring announcements

It was great to see so many students during Spring Break - the groups were smaller, but a lot was accomplished.

Please note the following information:

We do not meet on Good Friday - it is our tradition to cancel rehearsals on Good Friday.  Please try to be at the remaining rehearsals, as we prepare for our spring recital.

Spring Recital: mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 6th.  We will have our spring recital with the TEACH Homeschool group's annual TEACH Night.  The program will begin at 7pm and we will share the stage with other homeschooling students for a night of talent.The program will be held at Community Bible Church - off the K10 bypass - where our Christmas program was held. More on that and what to wear will be sent out later.

Our last day of rehearsals for this semester is May 2 - the last Friday before the Spring Recital.

Traditionally, we have families that like to give toward a gift card for their child's director.  If you wish to do that, I will be collecting for those in the coming weeks.  Please put money in an envelope and designate which director you are donating to.

We have so enjoyed your students this year.  I feel like we just got started, and here it is, the end of the second semester. All the directors thank you for sharing your children with us.  They have learned a lot and we hope they have had fun learning.

The directors use the summer to plan on the upcoming school year.  Please let us know if your student will not be joining us next year, at least to the best of your knowledge. Pass on information about our groups to new families, and if they enroll, you will save towards your semester fees.  Contact me for more information.

Blessings!
Martha

No rehearsals on January 31

We have to cancel rehearsals for next week, January 31.  We certainly do not like doing that, but it became apparent that with two directors absent, and myself, it would be less confusing to cancel all groups.

If you haven't paid your second semester fees, I will resume collecting those on February 7th.

As always, please use this blog site for updates, cancellations, and announcements.

Thanks,

Martha

Happy New Year!

Hello Encore Families,

We begin our second semester this Friday, January 10th.  All groups meet at the same time as last semester.  I will be collecting fees during the month of January.

Be sure to watch this site for information regarding any weather cancellations. 

See you all on January 10th!

Martha

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