How did you get started?
I saw something on a kids' show with a 3-year-old playing violin with Ishtak Perlman. Watching that encouraged me to find out more about the Suzuki method of music, involving a teacher, the parent and the student. The rigors of daily practice teach discipline and responsibility, plus there's the benefit of creating something universally beautiful that speaks to all languages.
So when the older boys were 4 and 5 I found Suzuki teachers and jumped in.
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Are you or your husband musically gifted, or at least musicians?
Not in the least, but I have such respect for musicians now that I understand the dedication necessary to play a piece with beauty, the work that goes into playing in a group setting, and the endless retakes when producing a CD.
I took flute and piano in grade school the traditional way, with Mom dropping me off at the teacher's home, and flute lessons in public school. I'm not able to memorize music easily; theory was beyond me; I didn't have the talent to compose anything.
The kids taught me all I know when it comes to the double bass; and it's a thrill to be playing with them and see their talents develop over the years.
My husband has never had music lessons, but he listens.
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If you're not a musician, how have you learned the bass?
My oldest son, Luke, taught me a few years ago. Notice that I still have to have a "cheat sheet" of songs on stage, while the kids need nothing. They only have to hear a song to be able to play it. It's amazing to me.
Now Sophie and John take the bass, usually, as they can whip up and down that fingerboard adding more variety than I ever could. John has been studying violin for 5 years and bass for 3. Sophie has been on cello for 8+ years, but plays most other instruments.
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Are all these kids yours?
Yes, my husband and I have the paperwork on all five (plus we have 3 in heaven!).
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Luke and Gabriel are both in college.What's happening with Chamber music?
Luke will graduate May 2011 with a major in molecular biology, with a minor in music. Gabriel, a junior at Benedictine College in Atchison, Ks., is majoring in criminology and minoring in computer science. He will be interning with the Secret Service this summer. With the 2 oldest now pursuing heights of higher learning, Chamber music has refocused with Dominic, Sophie and John. Dominic has taken the helm well, and with the rest of the family, engineered the family's 4th CD, Down the Road. You'll find bluegrass, plus Star Spangled Banner, and a bit of California dreamin' on that CD. Whether it's Gower Goodtimers or HABOT, the kids seem to have a good time playing together. They've played for U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, with great success in their classical set.
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Have you met any famous musicians?
We've talked to Chris Thile of Nickel Creek, Mike Marshall, ultimate mandolin player, and The Greencards, a super bluegrass band. They've all received our 2nd CD, but we haven't heard anything back...
Gabriel was first in line to talk with Joshua Bell during his recent performance with the Kansas City Symphony. Gabriel had a great conversation with Joshua, because no one had given him a pen to sign the CDs.
After playing Santa-Cali-Gon in Independence, we stopped to hear Craig Morgan play. He came into the audience, where I was re-braiding Sophie's hair. He gave Sophie a drumstick with his name on it.
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Are your kids homeschooled?
Yes, for 11 years now, I've home schooled the kids. It's allowed us to focus on eternal training, plus focus academics toward their abilities. We use a classical curriculum, Mother of Divine Grace, Seton, Kolbe Academy combination for the elementary years and Kolbe Academy for high school. The kids begin Latin in 3rd grade, read the classics throughout their school years, go to daily Mass as a family when we can, study the ancient Greeks and Romans right up to American Government and the Federalist Papers senior year. Music was added when they still were in traditional Catholic schools, as an added bonus for them as they grew.
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Are John's antics on stage planned?
I wish I could control that or take credit (depending on what he does), but we never know what to expect. Mom's age seems to be a frequent target..."older than the Broadway Bridge," as Dominic used to tell all his friends.
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What do you do in your spare time?
Mike: what spare time? AT&T all the way!
Maribeth: pray, paint, walk, plant, read, tennis, FIAT
Luke: study, sleep, work, listen to music, play music, ...
Gabriel: study, bball, rugby, guitar, violin, read, mess with his Mazda RX-7
Dominic: school, work on backyard ponds, play violin, piano, read,tennis,run, play guitar, ride bikes, take care of the many aquariums at home, volunteer at NKC Hospital
Sophie: sing, play cello, read, play tennis, ride bikes, run, cook, paint
John: eat, ride bike and scooter, swing, climb trees, run circles around everyone, just hide out, did I say eat?
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How old is everyone?
Luke is 22, working at Quest Diagnostics.
Gabriel is 21, a senior at Benedictine College, Atchison, Ks., majoring in criminology, minoring in computer science. He's interested in a career with the government in national or international security.
Dominic is 17, a junior in high school. He spent last summer at the U.S. Naval Academy's Summer Seminar, hoping to make it to the Academy next year. He also managed ponds, worked at Donut King and volunteered at North Kansas City Hospital.
Sophie is 14, a freshman in high school. She enjoys reading; English is a favorite subject in school.
John is 11, in 6th grade. He wants to be an engineer Monday through Friday, as in train engineer, cut hair on Saturday, and be a priest on Sundays. Or he would consider engineering with MODOT if they let him handle all the stoplights.
Maribeth is...younger than the Broadway Bridge, older than Care Bears and exactly the same age as the original Barbie....half centurian?
Mike is younger than Barbie.
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