You’ve joined us, you’ve been to a few rehearsals, and we hope you’re currently riding that initial wave of excitement—that “new band smell.” That feeling is great, and we’re truly thrilled you’re here.

As an all-volunteer, passion-driven community band, we need to share a secret with you right away: the “new” will eventually wear off.

It happens to everyone. The shiny, new thrill of joining a group, playing your instrument for the first time in years, learning new music, and playing your first concert at the Academy eventually settles into a routine. That is not a sign of failure for the band; it’s simply life. You’ll have rehearsals where you’re tired, concerts where you don’t love the music, and evenings where you feel less than inspired.

This transition point—when the initial energy wanes—is where the most successful, longest-lasting members are made. The members who stay and thrive for years aren’t the ones who manage to keep the new band smell forever. They’re the ones who come in with a sustainable perspective.

The Currency of Lasting Enjoyment

So, how do you make sure you’re still loving Lynchburg Pops five years from now? It all comes down to what you put in and what you choose to value.

1. Adjust Your Musical Expectations. We are a band that welcomes all comers, which means that not every performer in Lynchburg Pops might meet professional expectations. A big part of the magic of Pops is that in spite of our approach of having no auditions or try-outs, no paychecks, and no pressure, we are surprisingly musical in our concerts. This does not mean, however, that every piece will be played perfectly. Choosing to see the benefit of our approach instead of its limitations will help you avoid frustration when you might prefer musical perfection.

2. Bring the Right Currency. Since no one is paid, the real currency we exchange with each other isn’t money; it’s patience and gratitude.

   • Patience for the conductor, for the person next to you who might be socially awkward, and for yourself when you don’t sound as good as you want to.

   • Gratitude for the volunteers who run the band, for the space we get to play in, and most importantly, for the incredible gift of sharing music with a room full of people every single week.

3. Manage the Human Element. This band is cram packed full of people—not robots or flawless organizational machines. This means that two things are inevitable: you will hear things you don’t agree with, and a decision will be made that you don’t understand or appreciate. When these things happen, lean on your patience and gratitude instead of your frustration. Since everyone here is a dedicated volunteer, always assume positive intent. If a decision is confusing or upsetting, engage thoughtfully and respectfully, but also recognize that sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is trust that others know what they are doing… or that they are in the process from learning from their mistakes.

4. Choose Your Contribution. The members who stay the longest are the ones who shift their focus from “What am I getting out of this?” to “What can I contribute?” Contribution can be playing well or helping to set up chairs; but it can also be helping a newcomer or being a positive, reliable presence in your section. When you focus on your contribution, your role feels meaningful even when the music isn’t your favorite or someone made a statement you didn’t appreciate.

When that inevitable day comes and the new feeling is gone, we encourage you to pause, take a deep breath, and choose patience and gratitude instead of frustration or disappointment. That choice is the simple, powerful secret to making music with Lynchburg Pops for many years to come.