Interested musicians should bring their instrument to each rehearsal session and are asked to have a folder or binder in which to keep all their music together and carry a pencil with an eraser to mark their music. Photo courtesy of Encore Chamber Ensemble

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Have you considered taking your violin, viola, cello or double bass out of its case after years of gathering dust and playing once again?

Consider a visit to an evening rehearsal session of the Encore Chamber Ensemble, an amateur string ensemble who rehearse at the Elks Club in Carmichael and whose members share a love for the performance of chamber music.

Now in its fourth year, the ensemble, which consists of some 20 active members, is especially suited for both adult beginners and returning players with no auditions and a genuine focus on music-making for enjoyment, according to its director, Donna Alpert.

Alpert founded the Encore Chamber Ensemble in 2021 to give adult musicians — whether starting a string instrument for the first time or returning after many years — the chance to play in a group in a non‑competitive, friendly environment.

Now in its fourth year, the ensemble, which consists of some 20 active members, is especially suited for both adult beginners and returning players with no auditions and a genuine focus on music-making for enjoyment. Photo courtesy of Encore Chamber Ensemble

“Encore is always accepting new members; some are seasoned, experienced players who want to enjoy their music in new company and others are new to music playing and who have never played in an orchestral environment before,” she said in a recent telephone interview.

“My goal in starting the (Encore Chamber Ensemble) was to encourage, and enable adults to play together, so we can all improve and enjoy the experience of the music we love,” Alpert said.

Alpert asks that new members have basic music‑reading skills, and beginners have at least one year of study of their instrument before joining.

“Playing with a group for the first time is exhilarating and always presents new challenges,” she said.

Music-making demands the continuous interaction of perception and action. Translating a written score into precise finger moments while monitoring their own sound and adjusting in real time.

“It takes time to refresh muscle memory of any instrument, but patience and taking time to play with a group can honestly help,” she said.

The ensemble’s repertoire consists of mostly classical music, and classical arrangements of seasonal music. Photo courtesy of Encore Chamber Ensemble

The ensemble’s general aim is to create a safe and welcoming environment for adults coming late (or recently returning) to music, as Alpert herself once was.

Alpert moved from Santa Cruz to Fair Oaks after a fulfilling professional career with a regional chapter of The Arc, the largest community-based disability organization in the United States which advocates for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

It wasn’t long before she took a beloved violin out of its case and began playing actively once again.

“Encore is a no-judgment zone,” she said. “And it’s also important that you possess a healthy sense of humor and a fair amount of patience.”

“While every musician aims to improve, our goal is not necessarily total mastery of a particular piece,” she said.

“It matters not if you sometimes hit the wrong notes. Whatever your level, bring your instrument and come join the fun,” Alpert said.

“Even when the music is relatively simple, playing in an ensemble adds the elements of keeping time, paying attention to the conductor, and careful listening to the other parts to produce music that sounds integrated.”

“You will find that you develop your listening and sight-reading skills to a great degree by participating in an ensemble. And anyone who wants to experience the fun of group play is welcome.”

“Some pieces may be more challenging than others and may take some players longer to master,” she said. “Not mastering a piece is also OK.”

“Just relaxing and enjoying and working towards a goal of playing more notes each week is a perfectly worthwhile goal,” she said.

For beginners, in addition to its regular rehearsals, the ensemble offers extra help in the form of optional group coaching by its conductor, to help you with any specific areas a player might struggle with in learning the music.

​“Because I insist on no auditions, our ensemble members’ abilities consist of a range of technical abilities and notational literacy,” she said.

Donna Alpert, founder of the Encore Chamber Ensemble. Photo courtesy of Encore Chamber Ensemble

Alpert said some of the ensemble’s more advanced players are counted on to not only take on the more challenging parts of the music but also to provide collective inspiration to the group at large.

“In bringing everyone together, members are placed in the position of being both mentor and mentee, and this is an arrangement which fosters growth and enjoyment at all levels,” she said.

The ensemble’s repertoire consists of mostly classical music, and classical arrangements of seasonal music.

“Infrequently we detour into contemporary compositions just to change things up,” she said.

The Encore Chamber Ensemble performs twice a year, and family members and friends are invited to attend.

Interested musicians should bring their instrument to each rehearsal session and are asked to have a folder or binder in which to keep all their music together and carry a pencil with an eraser to mark their music.

Sheet music is typically emailed in advance, and a personal portable music stand is essential, she said.

The cost to participate in the Encore Chamber Ensemble is $18 per rehearsal, $72 each month, and that amount is due at the beginning of each month, whether a participant attends each week. Payments are applied to the costs of rehearsal space, conductor, sheet music and insurance.   

“The idea is to come as you are and have a good time,” she said. “Play the parts or measures that you can, listen to the parts you cannot, and strive to contribute to the best of your ability,” she said.

The Encore Chamber Ensemble is a string orchestra for beginner/intermediate adult string players with rehearsals on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Carmichael Elks Lodge, 5631 Cypress Ave.

The group’s website features links to both past public performances and examples of the technical level of music played.

For more information, visit: https://encorece.wixsite.com/encore-ensemble or email: [email protected].