I pencilled in a couple of Cathedral weekends in 2016 with a choir I do such things with, only to find that I’m not invited on them. I won’t discuss the reasons in detail here (they are to do with my perceived unavailability to sing) but rather the gap that the absence of this choir creates for me. It’s not just the performances that I will miss, but the people. While they are not such close friends that I have contact with them outside the choir – apart from social media chit-chat with some – I do count a number of them among my wider circle of friends and would be sorry not to meet them again.
Choirs may have the benefit of allowing you to join a social group, but there is the downside of losing that group if you leave the choir. Bristol Choral Society has one remedy for this which is organised walks several times a year, open to both present and past members (the latter form a large part of those who take part). It may not be the end for me and this other choir just yet; I’m still available to fill gaps, and as one of the weekends in 2016 is local I intend to be a part of the congregation at at least one service.
[July 2016: looks as if it may not be the end for me after all. As the situation with this choir has changed quite a lot I have deleted some comments.]
Dropping someone like you is a sign that all isn’t well with the choir. Don’t take it personally. For obvious reasons I’ll stay anonymous.
actually the first cathdral weekend of 2016 was a bit of a disaster with members of the choir having to stand in and conduct for the usual reason. You would not have enjoyed it. Not sure how much long it can carry on tbh
You should go and contact Pete B or Neil as they are taking over the choir for the rest of the year. There’s no record of who signed up for the autumn weekend so why don’t you try to rejoin. You’ve been missed.