Contracts for church gigs?

[Sylvia]

Did this grand event take place yet? It would be interesting to know how it all worked out.

[kay-lister]

Hmmmmmm . . . I hope one of the lions didn’t get our friend! D A V I D – ARE YOU OUT THERE???

😉 Kay

[David Ice]

I’ve been swamped with gigs, so I haven’t checked in. YES, this mess is over. And, short of barring the doors, they couldn’t have made it more clear I was NOT wanted. I truly did “shake the dust from my sandals” as I left that house of “worship”….I don’t want to get into any religious arguments, but suffice it to say it was the most soul-destroying and hideous gig I’ve ever played. No amount of coaxing or cajoling would EVER have me return.

I’ve talked with other musicians and conductors who know the conductor and the gig, and they are truly horrified by all this. And yes, it’s petty, but even little things like a “thank you ” note left on every chair to thank the musicians for their time and talents–except mine. Like I said, they made it VERY clear I was not welcome.

And yet I go to another gig and people say, “Oh, we’re so grateful you’re here!”

So I cast them off and will never favor them with my talents ever again. And I’m not alone–I found an oboe player they lied to as well. So they are fundamentally dishonest and not, in my humble opinion, worthy of my time. They can continue with their “Celebration of Christmas” into oblivion but I have seen their true selves, and it’s not pretty–or worthy of the season.

[David Ice]

BTW the check DID at least come in the mail, and it did not bounce. I will give them that much credit.

[Sylvia]

So sorry you had to endure all that. They were truly in the Xmas spirit! (sarcastic Syl)

[lyn-boundy]

Oh dear, David, I’ve often thought of you over the Xmas period and hoped you’d come back with a funny story about a major misunderstanding followed by lots of kissing and making up. What vile people and such a shame we will never know what the heck was going through their minds. Here’s hoping they live to regret it next year when they need you desparately and find they’ve well and truly blown it.

The worst thing about all this is that in leaves a nasty taste in the mouth of the innocent party. I hope you won’t let it affect your attitude to other employers (though one lesson worth learning is that of detailed contracts and non-refundable deposits) and that your future gigs will be such positive experiences that it becomes easy to put this one behind you. I hope you didn’t let it spoil your Chirstmas.

Wishing you everyone else here a very happy New Year.

[Author]

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