The importance of community

In a few months I will be quitting my local brass band I have played in for 18 years. I began playing the cornet there when I was 8yo. Now 18 years later, playing the trumpet is my only passion and I (barely) make a living playing the trumpet. My growth as a trumpet player has stunted in the last 5ish years and I think I have located the reason why. No matter how much I practice one thing is holding me back, my community. In my local brass band people dont practice. They show up every wednesday after their 9 to 5 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, play, go home and that is the playing they'll do for the week. I have for years now been the best trumpet player I know, because Im the only one taking it seriously. I might add that of course its okay for them to be playing how they see fit, I just need something else. This year though, I will be quitting my old brass band and seek a new community with players better than I am, pushing me to get better. I want better paying gigs and I want to be better. I think this is the only way to do it. I really believe in the whole "the people you surround yourself with"-thing. I hope my trumpet player ego can take it when Im suddenly not the best anymore...