Nothing beats homegrown talent and the Chambers family has talent
in spades. Or perhaps better defined as a quintet with support from
their mother, Maribeth Chambers, who plays upright bass and flute.
The family has been actively performing since 2000. The group is
Luke, 19, guitar, upright and electric bass, mandolin and some vocals;
Gabriel, 17, violin, guitar and mandolin; Dominic, 14, violin, piano,
mandolin and vocals; Sophie, 10, cello and vocals; and John, 8, violin,
upright bass and vocals. Dad Mike helps transport the band and equipment.
The family plays classical, bluegrass, gospel and some Celtic music.
All the children participated in Suzuki lessons for violin or guitar
or both. Gabriel says this technique allowed them to take a piece
of music and make it their own.
Chamber Music started when the three oldest boys played for Maribeth’s
parents. An early talent show proved their quality and the family
has been adding to their repertoire ever since.
The family
won the 2008 New Musicians Showcase at the Liberty Performing Arts Theatre.
The win has allowed the family to give back to the community with a July 26
benefit concert at the Liberty Performing Arts Theatre. Dominic says his older
brothers Gabriel and Luke have volunteered at Children’s Mercy so helping them
out made sense. The other beneficiaries are Marian Hope Center and Alexandra’s
House, two groups that also aid children and families.
Dominic says he enjoys adding new songs to their repertoire. “Some
of us change instruments in the middle of songs so that keeps it
fresh too,” Dominic says. “As we grow up, we are adding more complicated
arrangements to the mix,” Gabriel says.
Luke, who is a William Jewell sophomore studying molecular biology,
says the early fiddle tunes with Gabriel and Dominic set a positive
tone. “We may not always agree all the time, but it is a gift to
play music together. It is something we thoroughly enjoy.”
The family is glad that movies like “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
have made bluegrass and old time gospel popular again. “The revival
of this music has helped us,” Luke says. Luke works on most of the
song arrangements. Those arrangements can be heard on three compact
discs: “Talent on Loan,” “Caution: Talent in Use,” and “Black and
White: Red Hot Bluegrass.”
Coming shows:
July 5 — Briarcliff Village's Independence Day BBQ, noon-2
p.m. Chamber music is the featured performance.
July 26 — Live at Liberty: A Bluegrass Benefit for KC Kids.
Chamber music's benefit for three area children’s organizations,
featuring bluegrass music by Chamber music and guest appearances.
Phil Witt of FOX 4 will emcee. Live at Liberty is at the Liberty
Performing Arts Theatre, 6 p.m. -8:30 p.m. ALL proceeds go
to: Children's Mercy Hospital, Marian Hope Center and Alexandra's
House. For reserved seating, call Liberty Performing Arts Theatre, 816-439-4362
or www.lpat.org.
http://www.thechambersmusic.com/
