By Tina Thorley
tina@newsroom.byu.edu
If its true families who play together stay together, then surely the Brewsters will be together for some time.
Meet Provo residents, the Brewsters. Parents Scott and Elaine and children: Sara Simpson, 25, and her husband Allen Simpson, Ben Brewster, 23, Jacob Brewster, 20, the twins Aaron Brewster and Matthew Brewster, 18, and Katie, 25.
The family began performing ten years ago, Elaine said.
Scott, who is an engineer and professor at BYU, said he grew up as a folk performer and his wife grew up as a classical performer in musicals and operas.
He said he gave up music when he got married and started his family.
Then one day the fire was rekindled. Scott said his family moved to West Virginia in 1982 while he was on professor development leave from BYU.
The family was at an outdoor arts and crafts festival when 'we heard the most incredible music floating through the trees,' Scott said.
'We couldn't place it. We knew it wasn't a harp because it wasn't plucked. Then when we stood in front of it. We still had no idea,' Elaine said.
What the Brewsters heard and saw that day was a hammered dulcimer, an instrument that originated thousands of years ago in Persia or Arabia, Scott said.
Then, the Brewster's friends, the Duttons, opened their own theater.
'I always had the idea in the back of my mind that it would be fun to have a family performing group. If the Duttons can do it so can we,' Scott said.
The fire had started.
Elaine said she began by taking her boys 'kicking and screaming' to Blue Grass Fiddle lessons.
One of their first performances was in Spring City, Sanpete County, for the 24th of July celebration.
Since then they have performed across Utah. They have traveled to the Western and Pacific states and to Canada. They have also performed at Provo's Freedom Festival and on BYU's campus.
Last year, the Brewsters performed for three Russian visitors to BYU. Elaine said Jacob had learned a little bit of Russian at Timpanogos High School and introduced the performers in Russian.
The Russians were astounded a family that big all played instruments, Elaine said.
'We are like ambassadors for America, the school, the church and families in general,' she said.
The musical talent includes a wide choice of acoustic instruments: the mandolin, violin, bowed psaltery, harp, hammered dulcimer, guitar and piano.
The oldest daughter, Sara, does much of the vocal and the youngest daughter, Katie, does Irish Dancing.
The son-in-law fits in perfectly with his musical talent. Allen Simpson plays the harmonica and guitar, Elaine said.
Eight years ago, the Brewsters decided to perform for friends and neighbors at a special Christmas concert.
The idea has grown, and their annual 'Throw the Yule Log On Celtic Christmas Concert' will be at the Provo Tabernacle on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
The performance features 'olde' sounding Celtic Christmas music and is free to the public. Donations will be accepted, and proceeds will go to the Deseret International Foundation.