I’ve had to take time out from choirs for the birth of children and each time this has raised the questions of whether I should return to the one I was in before, or indeed whether I would be able to do so. I will leave the first part of this on one side for now and consider how one can maximise the chance of there still being a place for you in the choir you left at the time you want to come back.
Sometimes the balance of power here lies with the singer and they are actually given incentives to return. I recall one choir where any competent female singer who fell pregnant was given a big solo, essentially as a bribe to return after the birth.
If the choir director has really decided to get rid of you, there’s nothing much you can do, but the thing to avoid is being forgotten about, or being assumed to be no longer interested. One good way to prevent this happening is to stay in touch with other choir members, especially if they’re on the committee, and go to concerts and talk to people there.
But probably the best way to ensure your absence is remembered is to keep hold of a choir folder and/or any clothing belonging to the choir. In my experience such items are usually meticulously tracked and accounted for, sometimes to the extent that losing them seems to be a matter of greater concern than losing singers. Conversely, it is not worth while continuing your subscription while away, as it does not guarantee a place will be kept for you. (The honourable thing for the choir to do would be to cancel or refund the subscription after your last concert, but if this doesn’t happen it’s just throwing money away to continue to pay it).