i4- Friday, March 4, 1988 - North Shore News spotlight _ usic duo chips away at snobbery ATTENDING A music camp in the Vancouver Island town of Courtenay, clarinetist Gene Ramsbot- tom met Melinda Coffey, a California pianist visiting B.C. Today the married couple is the driving force behind the Ramcoff Concert Society — Ram for Ramsbottom and Coff for Coffey — slowly chipping away at tradi- tional notions of classical music as a staid, stuffy high society pursuit. ‘We're not normal,”’ Coffey, 37, begins in describing the work the two do in producing, perform- ing and promoting classical con- certs.‘‘We're happy to work seven days a week and seven nights a week,’’ STEPHEN. BARRINGTON feature writer From their Upper Lonsdale home, the two will by the end of . the season have organized about 88 Ramcoff-sponsored concerts all over the Lower Mainland, playing in a great deal of them themselves. © For the man who dropped out of UBC's music program in favor of practical experience and the. woman who embarked ona musical career at nine years old — “7 started late’? — this is what makes them the happiest. “It’s said that there are two types of classicai musicians — givers and takers,’’ explains Ramsbottom, 35. ‘‘We’ve been characterized as givers.” When first-time audience ‘members applaud at the wrong time, as happens occasionally at their numerous concerts, the two smile and continue, content that somebody was spontaneous enough to show such enthusiasm. Tackling the many series with gusio, the pair has combined tradi- tion and technology. When people could not come to the piano, the ingenious musical entrepreneurs took the piano to the people, with a state-of-the-art Korg digital * piano sampler. Coffey accom- panies the more traditional in- struments to facilitate an expanded and more versatile repertoire. But striving to further the ex- posure of classical music is not without its frustrations. ‘‘It’s hard in the age of rock videos to com- pete for young people’s atten- tion,’’ says Coffey. ‘‘It’s a very slow process.”” Despite the demise of the Van- couver Symphony Orchestra, which could not even give away — seats to a final concert, the pair is not seeing any lack of listener sup- port for the society and its endeavors. “1 think we’ve set the example of what can be done (in classical music),”’’ says Ramsbottom, “We need lots of stimulation in life,’* puts in Coffey, who soon will be in England to record two Brahms sonatas with Israel Philharmonic clarinetist Eli Ebon. classical MUSICIANS GENE Ramsbottom (left) and Melinda Coffey are shat- tering traditional motions of classical muste with their work in the Ramcoff Concert Society. “Life would be very dull without it.” Passionately committed to fur- thering classical music, the two continue to strive for perfection in their performances and in their programming. Coming up for the society is a 5:30 p.m. concert March 5 at the Whistler Conference Centre, featuring the Vancouver String Quartet and Ramsbottom. The ELEPHANT SHOW'S ERIC NAGLER Centennial Theatre March 30 ; 3:30 & 7:30 pm SPONSORED) BY THE NORTH SHORE BRANCH OF Pxpetr ARTcIpATION PRESCH@IG Get your tix now! ats Readers Retreat Lynn Valley Mail BC Playthings Chrissy’s Fashions West Van. NORTH Van artist Glen Green with painting of Brian Orser. * famous subjects recent! f: Brian: Orser. Is - watercol ; yas presented to. the- Olympian : in Calgary. At s gale “qlunct & orgas zed. by r we - edition prints was present " ‘Orser; who won ‘2: sliver. me r “ia figure skating, pecepted * the ty REEy IS CLS =a SOAS 3 LEN GRE 7 NESS i WENA nts the contract to “Ist in downhill ‘siding fn; 1968, : "for: Coca Cola and.” and. Vindisiav . ; a Ae! Began’ his plating career... *. seven years ago alter working at: various + Jobs” for too > tong. "GAME RENTALS modules and cartridges Flickers Video VHS & BETA 1431 Marine Drive, North Vancouver Norgate Plaza 988-3394 Presents Video Delivery and Pick-Up fer Your Home and Office 986-684 3 “98-MOVIE”. MOVIE RENTALS witH FREE DELIVERY AND PICK-UP FOR $3. aS plus Sales Tax. Ordering your movies by phone from our ‘catalog makes sense - you save time, money and gas - and you never have to leave the comfort of your home! Our vans are fully stocked with the latest titles, rental VCRs and a selection of snack foods. Look for our FLYER INSIDE - Lynn Valley Region this week.