Lisa Truelove has lived in Ashland, Oregon since the fall of 1988, when she moved here to perform with the Rogue Valley Symphony and the Rogue Valley Symphony Chamber Players, a group that was active from 1988-2017. A member of the Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, she has also performed with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Northwest Bach Ensemble in Newport and Ashland, the SyZyGy new music ensemble in Ashland, and often with the North State Symphony in Chico & Redding, California. Lisa maintains a private cello studio in her home, and performs cello/piano recitals with her husband Stephen, including many over the years in Gold Beach, her favorite Oregon vacation spot.
Below are Lisa’s thoughts on being a musician during the pandemic.
I’m reaching out to share a bit of how I am feeling, doing, and living during these past few months.
I practice my cello daily, revisiting the Bach cello Suites, continuing to woodshed the likes of Beethoven 7th, Dvorak 7th, and Schumann 2nd Symphonies. Keeping my “chops” up with The Planets and In der Tatra as well, so that when RVS reopens I will be well prepared! Also daily sight reading, and am learning The 1st part to the Bachianas Brasileiras for cello orchestra to play with my wonderful cello section when we can all meet up again in person.
I teach many of my students online and some on the phone. More than ever I realize that I am a musician because I love music, and love to share my skills and music with others.
I’ve been making my own greeting cards out of old programs, calendars etc., to stay in touch with family and friends. People seem to appreciate the hand-made gesture. I’m taking lots of walks with my husband and dog, Lia.
I also write haiku; on a day this past May after a walk I wrote this:
Misty light rain falls
Rainbow painted mountain peak
Late afternoon walk
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