I was left with the impression that I might just find myself somewhere where I was tolerated rather than made welcome.

In fairness, Jim, the reverse is often the case in singing circles - youngsters feeling tolerated, at best, by their "elders and betters"! ;>)>

Regards

p.s. In a way, of course it's a case of "An rud is annamh is ionntach"" - "What's rare is wonderful"!