This September is a quiet month for singing, and in general this year so far has been quieter than I’d hoped despite the number of cathedral visits I’ve managed to fit in. I fell to reflecting on some sources of singing that have dried up or just never happened.
Yesterday I received a mailshot from the Exultate Singers about their forthcoming concerts. Seeing what they’d be doing I felt a distinct twinge of regret that I don’t sing with them any more.
When I left the Chantry Singers I asked to be added to the group of former members of the choir who augment it when larger numbers are needed, usually in the spring. As many in this group are quite a lot older than me, I rather expected to be a useful addition to it, but I haven’t been included in any concerts.
One thing I have taken direct action about is the dep list for the choir of the Lord Mayor’s Chapel in Bristol. Another group apparently dominated by those of advanced years, because when I tackled John Marsh about it he said that he preferred to call on retired people to stand in as deputies! (Perhaps this also explains why the Facebook group for this list is essentially dormant.) I’m sending one of my occasional reminders that I’m still interested in singing.
actually you hit the nail on the head about the extras who joined the Chantry singers. I think what happened was that the average age kept getting older, and now that group doesn’t expand the choir for spring concerts any more.
Virginia maybe you should give Exultate another try. I believe they are still taking on sopranos of your sort of standard, becase not everyone can do all of the very heavy schedule they have. And several people have left in the last couple of years tho TBH they may have been in the lower voices.
John Marsh tells me that he will check I’m still on the list of interested deps for the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, though he adds that in practice deputies are rarely used.