The Kittiwake's Nest

Thursday night at choir I was trying to fix a spot where the choir's tone was harsh. Sopranos and altos were in unison, quite low (dipping below middle C). I repeatedly asked the sopranos to take it easy and let the altos carry it, but one kept booming out... and I repeated myself, making clear I meant her. I absolutely shouldn't have (actually I should have just asked the sopranos not to sing that line), and apologized within minutes, and again by email.

The singer wrote back that she accepted my apology, but there were some other things she'd like to discuss, maybe next week. This was all so much like the beginning of my hellish last year at my previous job that I was exploding with PTSD. I emailed my pastor to tell him what had happened, and was at least sure that if things got ugly he wouldn't be as spineless as my previous pastor.

As it turns out, the singer came to church early on Sunday to make peace-- a considerable effort, as she's my chronically late person. The other thing she brought up was easily resolved. What a relief!

Unfortunately, she also asked to sing a solo next week, a song I would much rather bury forever, but I can't really say no just now. I did tell her I'd consult pastor, and have tossed it to him, but I suspect I'll have to hold my nose and do it.