A couple conversations this past year have helped me articulate something that I’ve known (and you probably have, too), but have never formed into words. Namely, that without you, we are no choir.
New members are needed to stay fresh and growing, and to add new dynamics to choir. New blood is fun to train and mold! New choir members are awesome, as each new voice reshapes the sound ever so slightly.
But you oldies… what would we do without you! We wouldn’t be a choir without those of you who have been here for a loooooong time. Many, many of our choir members have been here longer than me! I love that.
Returning faithful choir members are our core. I really believe that. The fact that we are able to keep moving forward—improving—is due to the core choir remaining as our bedrock. If we had to learn every song anew each week, where would we be as a choir? We would be lost! We would never be able to sing weekly, and we would never get to take any breaks. We would constantly be learning new songs.
Granted, when you first join choir, you are learning new songs pretty much every week. And it’s learning by fire, huh? Sink or swim, buddy! The boat is sailing on with or without you! I know it can feel like that.
But it doesn’t last forever. When we repeat songs, I usually get comments like, “Didn’t we just sing this?” and usually my response is, “Yep… about a year ago.” Over time, time flies. You learn and then perfect the songs year after year.
You “oldies” (sorry, “faithful members”) are the bedrock. Keep up the good work!