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.
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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 going to happen to Chamber music?
Luke is knee deep in molecular biology and music; Gabriel has begun his studies of political science and criminology at Benedictine in Atchison, a year early. With the 2 oldest now pursuing heights of higher learning, Chamber music will refocus with Dominic, Sophie and John. They've already played for U.S. Representative Sam Graves, with great success in their classical set. As time and energy and the interests allow, we'll play at full tilt when the boys are home and have the energy.
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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. They talked of the concerto that Gabriel will be playing with the Northland Symphony Orchestra on April 27.
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Are your kids homeschooled?
Yes, for 11 years now, I've homeschooled 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 with a few changes 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: sleep, or jobs around the house Sam requests, tennis as a family
Maribeth: pray, paint, walk, plant, read, tennis
Luke: when I'm home from school, read, play guitar or tennis or sleep, plus work at Children's Mercy,
Gabriel: play violin, read,play tennis, work on many household projects, work at Nell Hills, shoot hoops
Dominic: work on backyard ponds, play violin, piano, read, hone my tennis game, play with Sophie and John, ride bikes, climb trees, take care of the rabbits
Sophie: sing, play cello or violin, read,learning "baby" tennis, climb the redbud tree, ride bikes, keep track of baskets made (as in bball), play dolls
John: ride bike and scooter, swing, climb trees, run circles around everyone, just hide out
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How old is everyone?
Luke is 19, a sophomore at William Jewell,majoring in molecular biology and minoring in music, planning on a career as a family practice doc.
Gabriel is 17, soon to be a freshman at Benedictine College, Atchison, Ks., majoring in politcal science and criminology.
Dominic is 14, heading into high school. He's already interested in a career in biology, naturalist studies.
Sophie is 10, in 6th grade. She wants to be a nurse or use her newfound interest in editing somewhere.
John is 8, in 3rd grade. He wants to be an engineer Monday through Friday, as in train engineer, cut hair on Saturday, and be a priest on Sundays.
Maribeth is...younger than the Broadway Bridge, older than Care Bears and exactly the same age as the original Barbie.
Mike is younger than Barbie.
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