Local trio starting a spring tour for the love of music

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — The old saying “practice makes perfect” is certainly appropriate for classical music groups.
In addition to perfecting their own style, they have to be aware of each other’s tempo, nuances and pace.  “We practice together two hours a week,” said Susan Ramsey, violinist with the newly-formed Highlands Classical. “But we also practice a lot more on our own.”
    Ramsey, pianist Margery Aumann and cellist Ruth Fogg have been preparing for what they jokingly refer to as their “mud season” tour starting this weekend.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    HIGHLANDS CLASSICAL — Pictured, from left, Margery Aumann, Ruth Fogg and Susan Ramsey.

    “Our goal is to introduce classical music to a whole new audience,” said Aumann, who teaches advanced piano at Foxcroft Academy. “Classical music was very popular in the community back in the early 1900s. In fact, there was an opera house in Dover-Foxcroft until the 1920s.”
    Fogg, who began playing the cello at age 9 and who now performs with North Country Strings, said that classical music has a unique niche in history. “When you listen, it’s like describing a wide path of human emotions” Fogg said.
    The name Highlands Classical came easily to the trio. They practice in a cozy, sunlit room in Aumann’s farmhouse on Bear Hill Road in Dover-Foxcroft. “When you look out the window and see the fields and blue sky, you appreciate the Maine Highlands,” said Ramsey, who directs the Foxcroft Academy strings program and performs with Maine singer-songwriter Dave Mallett.
    After performing for residents and staff at local nursing homes like Hibbard Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Dexter Health Care recently, Highlands Classical has scheduled four public appearances, starting at the First Baptist Church in Pittsfield on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m.
    They will also perform at the Sangerville Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m.; All Souls Church in Bangor on Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. and the Dover Congregational Church on Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m.
    Highlands Classical would also like to book dates in Greenville and Millinocket this summer. “If we can get the right venue to reach the summer people, that would be ideal,” Ramsey said.
    Although they’re not being reimbursed for their time or travel, Highlands Classical will ask for a free-will offering from their audience to go toward a community fuel assistance fund. “Almost every town has one,” said Aumann, “and we know this winter has been especially tough on families and seniors.”
    The average Highlands Classical performance will be about 90 minutes with an intermission. “Actual playing time is about an hour,” Ramsey said, “but we like to tell the audience a little about the selections we’re playing.”
    The set will include selections ranging from the traditional Bach and Beethoven to John Williams, whose career spans six decades and includes the scores from “Schindler’s List,” “Saving Private Ryan” and the Indiana Jones series of action films.
    Although the women have much in common, they also have personality traits that complement each other, Aumann noted. “Susan is the metronome,” she said with a laugh. “She watches timing very carefully.” Aumann said that she’s the “detail person” and very focused while Fogg has a little of both traits. “We’re all professionals,” said Fogg, “and we’re doing this because we love it.”
    Anyone interested in more information about Maine Highlands including available dates this summer can contact Ramsey at 717-6022.