ASHLAND — Stephen Domka, a violinist for the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, runs on a strict, dedicated schedule.
On a typical day, he teaches orchestra full-time at Lexington City Schools from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. After that he handles private lessons from 3 to 6 p.m. He spends the rest of his night practicing or performing with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra.
Since COVID-19, however, his typical day has significantly changed.
“As far as performing, that all came to a halt, so it was quite an adjustment because I’m somebody that’s busy all the time,” Domka said.
Although he’s kept busy with virtual teaching sessions, there’s still a huge hole in his day that only music can fill.
Because of his inability to perform at this time, Domka said he’s grown to have a much more profound take on music and performing live.
“It just really made me appreciate the sound of live music and just the social aspect of music,” Domka said. “It’s made me appreciate it even more and just crave it more.”
Ashland Symphony Orchestra, but mainly Executive Director Martha Buckner, has given Domka and other musicians hope for the future, advice, as well as freelance opportunities for musicians.
“Martha Buckner does a fabulous job with helping the orchestra and leading it and all of the business stuff behind the scenes,” Domka praised.
Tom Reed, a professor of music at Ashland Symphony Orchestra, misses performing classical and jazz music in front of people, as well as interacting with them before and after a concert.
“I love performing,” Reed said. “Performing is a communal thing, at least when you’re playing with a symphony. You’re playing with a group of people and you work together and experience the beauty of music together. And you get to experience the stage fright and the excitement of it.”
After playing the saxophone for 40 years, Reed has grown accustomed to drawing energy from a crowd and thriving off of the experience and emotions he feels while performing. With COVID-19 putting a stop to the concert season indefinitely, he and his fellow musicians have felt that loss.
“This situation affects everyone in our community,” Reed said. “With musicians, some of them are hit hard by it and some of them are not because they have other work, but we’re all appreciative of the audiences we’ve had in the past and we’re looking forward to getting back to that relationship.”
Through their Facebook page, the Ashland Symphony Orchestra keeps in contact with their supporters and musicians. They’ve also shared their concert performances online.
“I think one of the most important things folks can do is come out and see us when things settle down and we’re able to perform in front of a live audience,” Reed said. “That’s what we’re really looking forward to.”
The Ashland Symphony Orchestra continues to accept donations on its website during this time using the “make-a-gift” button. However, anyone can make a check payable and send it to Ashland Symphony Orchestra at 401 College Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For Domka, the thing he’s looking forward to the most once he’s able to perform live again is being with his musician family and doing their first reading of a new piece.
“As a musician, the first really exciting point is in the first dress rehearsal,” Domka said. “With Ashland, we usually have a string sectional first, and just hearing the live, vibrant strings, especially the cellos and basses on the other side of the orchestra, is such an amazing experience.”
RELATED READING:
