Last Christmas season I performed for my city's tree lighting ceremony. As an opera singer, this went very well, especially with the children. A few months ago when it was inquired if I will do it again this year the Chamber of Commerce insulted me by asking me to perform again but felt that opera was not the right choice and was asked to perform country style or just stand around as an elf. As I am doing this for free and am a professional I was rather insulted. I decided not to perform for them this year and will be in another performance that weekend instead.
I got an email from the Chamber last night explaining that they needed more performers as they only had two and asked if I could do it as they could find no one else. I find this rather insulting as well. However I have another performance scheduled somewhere else so I will not be performing for them.
I'm not sure how others would handle said situation. or whether or not they would feel the same way. Personally I was insulted because I am trained to do something professionally. You would not ask a professional painter known for their beautiful landscapes or portraits to do an abstract sculpture. Especially when they're doing it as a community service. It's insulting to one's specific abilities. Especially when the people do receive them well as the type of artist they are and someone makes the assumption that the entire public is going to want only one thing and no variety. Yes, an audience will take what they're served but it's how can you know what every one likes when there's only one option? So not only was an insult to my skills but it was an insult to the tastes of the people that live here as well. To add insult to injury they decided that I was their last choice as a performer as well since they had no one else. That would be an insult to anyone professional or not.
Because I already have another performance scheduled, as I said, I won't be performing for them. Although I don't think I would perform for them again because of this.
Does this seem reasonable?
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