Class Descriptions:
MUSIC
PIANO ALIVE
(Instr: Danika Starrharrt, Bailee Morrison, Sharon Lucas, North Gill, Kristin Jenkins) Students learn chording and notation, theory for creativity, and group playing skills in a fun yet discipline-oriented environment. Musical movement and percussion is incorporated for younger age groups. Classical piece performance and songwriting are incorporated in older age groups. Each student has access to their own center-provided keyboard during classes, and time on the grand piano is shared for special class performances. Read more about the method and level systems. SUMMER POWER-UP IMPROV SPECIALS: Keep your piano skills sharp all summer, or begin your piano journey in a fun yet serious environment! This special summer course highlights the speaking part of the musical language (improvisation) and provides tools for off-the-page piano connection through scales, eye opening patterns, and creativity. Improvisation can be approached with the right brain or left brain alike, and we are excited to show you how! Improvisation is an inclusive way to make music together whatever your level may be. If you’ve already been in Piano Alive this course will power you up strongly to your next incoming level. Our fall Piano Alive courses will focus once again on note reading but this summer course will take you on a one of a kind musical adventure. UKULELE / GUITAR STRUM CLUB
(Instr: Sharon Lucas) In this class group, beginning-intermediate players learn tuning, technique, rhythm, scales, chords, basic notation, improvisation, and song form. Students will play as an ensemble and learn to read and create their own strum patterns and fingerpicking patterns. As the class advances, the repertoire will consist of folk, pop, and classical adaptations. CHOIRS & VOCAL ENSEMBLES
(Instr: Danika Starrharrt, Sharon Lucas, North Gill, Vanessa Morse) Join us to empower your voice, make friends, and have some beautiful fun! Singers will explore harmony, practice professional pop and classical vocal techniques, and learn as many enjoyable songs as can be packed into each season. Our vocal ensembles are not too large, which means your voice matters, and there are also plenty of soloing opportunities! These groups are not only led from experience as a choir director but also as an award winning composer and singer-songwriter, so practices are known to be dynamic and energizing. In the words of one of our vocal ensemble members: “Danika’s passion for music is amazing, her talent and perseverance shine, her creativity and humor make it so fun, and her discipline keeps us grounded. I’ve been so blessed to be part of this group!” UKULELE (ADULTS)
(Instr: Kate Haderlie) Pick up that Uke you've had sitting in the corner and start playing! In this class, you'll learn all the skills you need to start playing songs for your family and friends. Learn instrument care, tuning, basic chords, strums, fingerpicking patterns, music theory, and more. Please bring your own instrument. MUSIC COMPOSITION
(Instr: Kate Haderlie) Bring that music playing in your head to life! In this hands-on class, dive into writing your own music compositions for solo instruments/voice, choir, band, or orchestra. Learn composition skills like writing notes and rhythms accurately, creating a melodic structure, adding harmonies, applying dynamics and articulation, adding lyrics, and more. We will use a free online music notation software (Noteflight) so please bring your own laptop or Chromebook. SONGWRITING
(Instr: Ana Lete) In this group guitar course, students will learn basic guitar fundamentals including how to tune, read and play sheet musics written for guitar, strum, and swtich between the most common guitar chords, play with and without a guitar pick, learn and play your favorite songs, and more! |
SYMPHONIC BAND & ORCHESTRA
(Instr: Danika Starrharrt, Mike Harris) More than a community or school band experience, these ensembles incorporate an in-depth study of theory, tone, transposition, and artistic values of cooperative music. More than 75% of all the repertoire is custom-arranged for each season's group that comes together, by our resident, award-winning composer-conductor. There are multiple symphonic bands and orchestral groups at Encore, for various levels, children, and adults, respectively. TRADITIONAL YOUTH CHOIR
(instr. Vanessa Morse) (ages 5-8) - Students will learn the basics of sight reading as they learn choral literature ranging from classical to popular genres such as musical theatre and film music! (ages 9-14) - Students will learn sight reading using Kodaly method as well as part singing where they will learn to sing independently while listening to the other parts around them. Students will learn to sing choral literature from Musical Theatre to popular film scores. As with all Encore music class, the students will perform at the end of the semester to showcase what they have learned. SONGWRITING + RECORDING
(Instr: Dylan Cochran, Darren Reynolds, Danika Starrharrt) Learn to get ditties out from your head, build chord charts, and write songs by studying a “ghost song”. We will study multiple genres and instruments as well as how to write lyrics. Semesters end by recording your very own demo song. Depending on class size, co-writing songs can be an option, so bring your band if you want! Being proficient with an instrument or knowing how to sing is recommended, but not required. Bring your own instrument; the center has guitars, pianos, and ukuleles that can be used or rented if needed. WORSHIP BAND
(Instr: Emily Bateman, Dylan Cochran) For drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, vocals, and those that run or want to run worship tracks. Winds & string players allowed per permission of instructor. In the Worship Band Class we will go over the day to day of being in, working on, and serving on worship teams. We will go over the basics of using Planning Center Online, rehearsal tracks, playing to click track, running tracks, playing/singing as a band, and using lead sheets and chord charts. SONGWRITING
(Instr: Nate Stein, Emily Bateman, Danika Starrharrt) Create catchy tunes with a team, learning all about song form and what makes melodies meaningful. Students will learn the needed music theory and laws of poetry and rhythm to write songs of their own, using the circle of fifths and more. CHILDREN'S CHORUS
(Instr: Kate Haderlie, Bailee Morrison) Children's choir can help your child find their own unique voice in a fun group setting. Singers will learn proper vocal technique, including good posture, breath support, and a clear open tone. They will also enjoy learning rhythms, basic music theory, and fun songs to perform together. UKULELE+SONGWRITING
(Instr: Kate Haderlie) Learn the basics of ukulele-playing and songwriting in this fun hands-on class. Participants will learn a number of ukulele chords, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking styles, as well as songwriting skills such as chord progressions, song structure, and lyric writing. Please bring your own uke. BEGINNING GUITAR
(Instr: Ana Lete) In this beginning songwriting course, students will learn to dentify the different parts of a song and the qualities of a great song find inspiratin for original songs, write song lyrics, chord progtressions, and melodies. They will learn various ways to write and practice original songs, and how to records song demos. BEGINNING VOCAL TRAINING ENSEMBLE
(Instr: Bailee Morrison) Build vocal skills and confidence as we sing together! In this class, students will enhance their vocal resonance, ear training, and sight singing abilities. They will learn to create vocal power in a healthy way. Feel the beat, harmonize with the group, and try a solo! |