The Acorn – Oct. 29, 2025 – OCS Weekly News

Type of post: Chorus news item
Sub-type: The Acorn
Posted By: Evie Snapp
Status: Current
Date Posted: Wed, Oct 29 2025
The Acorn – Oct. 29, 2025 – OCS Weekly News

1. High Notes
  • Oct. 27 (Mon) – Wow, what a full house! Fourteen guest singers! Welcome "first time" guests Karthik, Kelly, Kirsten, and Wendy. And great to see returning guests: Emily, Joseph, Barbara, Chris, Steve, Todd, Elaine, Gary, Kat, and Maggie.   
    • As a reminder, if guests are interested in attending multiple chorus rehearsals, the general schedule is as follows:
    • 6:45p – 7:30p – Mixed Chorus
    • 7:30p – 8:15p – Holiday Chorus
    • 8:15p – short business meeting
    • 8:30p – 9:30p – Men’s Chorus
  • HOLIDAY OUTFITS:  Look through your closet to be sure you have a solid colored sweater and black pants to wear for our holiday performances.
  • Nov. 3 (Mon) – We return to our REGULAR rehearsal space at SEARSTONE. (19001 Searstone Circle, Cary)
  • BIG CHANGE -- Nov. 10 (Mon) – NO PERFORMANCE – REGULAR REHEARSAL INSTEAD
    • Unfortunately, The Forest at Duke overbooked, so we will not be performing a program that day (we’ll return in 2026). Fortunately we have more time to practice our holiday songs!
    • Regular rehearsal will be at SEARSTONE (19001 Searstone Drive, Cary)
  • April 17-19:  MEMBERS NOTE: Updated dates (April 17-19) for Carolinas District Convention/Contest! (See “In Harmony” section)
2. Overtures
  • FUNERAL SERVICE FOR NIC COLS:
    • Monday, November 3, at 2:00 pm
    • Vintage Church, Downtown Raleigh (118 S. Person St.)
    • If you would like to perform “Amazing Grace” with OCS/Master’s Men, Call Time is 1:15p
      • Dress code: black suit for men, all black for women
      • Music for Amazing Grace is available on Harmony Site - music should be memorized
    • Parking available at Wilmington Street Parking Deck, 122 S. Blount St (pay lot)
  • N.C. State Home Game Concessions – This is our KEY fundraiser for the year. Sign up here:  https://tinyurl.com/25OCSconcess
  • New name badges are here! How do you get one?
    • Work a shift at NCSU home game concessions – no cost.
    • Join as a NEW OCS member – no cost.
    • Current members – replace for $20 (reach out to Warren).
  • Meetup Group – Remember to RSVP for each rehearsal and afterward, RATE us on Meetup. We are listed under Oak City Sound or “Raleigh Area A Cappella Singing Meetup Group.”
  • Fundraiser or Concert Suggestions? – Contact a member of the board and let us know.

3. Carol's Cadence
  • With more than 40 people in attendance on Monday night, we were sounding amazing!
  • We have only 3 full rehearsals before our first holiday concert on November 24.
  • Please aim to come to rehearsal next Monday with all holiday songs memorized, with the exception of Silent Night (Women's voices) and God Rest Ye Merry (Men's voices). This does not apply to the Holiday Chorus songs.
  • Look through your closet to be sure you have a solid colored sweater and black pants to wear for our holiday performances.
  • For Rehearsal on Nov. 3 – note Women will stay after business meeting to sing Silent Night !
    • MIXED          6:45p – 7:30p
    • It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
    • S’vivon
    • Gloucestershire Wassail
    • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
    • HOLIDAY CHORUS           7:30p – 8:15p
    • Mele Kalikimaka
    • I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
    • Carol of the Bells
    • Holly Jolly Christmas
>>>  8:15p – 8:30p – Business Meeting
    • WOMEN’S                8:30p – 8:45p
    • Silent Night
    • MEN’S           8:45p – 9:30p
    • God Rest Ye…
    • Christmastime is Here
    • Winter Wonderland
    • What Child is This/We Three Kings Medley
    • Jingle Bell Rock

4. Accelerando
  • NOV 10 PERFORMANCE CANCELLED – this will be a regular rehearsal instead
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES – where Holiday Chorus members are invited to perform!:
  • Nov 24 (Mon): The Templeton (Performance)
  • December 1 (Mon): Whispering Pines  (Performance)
  • December 8 (Mon): The Cardinal  (Performance)
  • December 15 (Mon), 7pm: Springmoor  (Performance)
  • December 16 (Tuesday): Holiday Show (public concert) – Halle Cultural Arts Center (downtown Apex)
  • December 22 (Mon), 7pm: Waltonwood (Lake Boone Trail)  (Performance)

5. Festivo (Holiday)
  • HOLIDAY CHORUS – Please invite people to this FREE experience!
    • It’s not too late to invite more people!
  • The HC:
    • Offers guests a chance to try barbershop (for free!) for a few weeks – then sing with us in a concert(s).
    • Guests attend 3 to 6 rehearsals (starting Oct. 13, 7:30 – 8:15p)
    • Practice the HC songs (below) – no need to memorize.
    • No fee, no special costume – we will again do a holiday top/sweater and black bottoms.
    • HC singers are invited to sing at our holiday concert (Dec. 16, Tuesday) and/or at any of our holiday shows at retiree centers (Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 – possibly Nov date?)
    • HC Songs are:
      • Carol of the Bells
      • Holly Jolly Christmas
      • Mele Kalikimaka
      • I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

6. In Harmony  (Around the BHS World)
  • Jan 13 – 18, 2026:  BHS Midwinter, Pasadena, California.
  • UPDATED DAYS & LOCATION:  
  • June 28 – July 5, 2026: BHS International (2026) – St. Louis, Missouri.
  • Future International locations: 2027 – Minneapolis, MN; 2028 – Chicago, Ill.; 2029 – San Antonio, Texas

7. Major & Minor Moods
Please send our friends your prayers & best wishes!
  • Nic Cols’ memorial will be Nov. 3 at 2pm at Vintage Church in downtown Raleigh. The address is 118 Person St.
    • Parking available at Wilmington Street Parking Deck, 122 S. Blount St (pay lot)
    • If you’d like to sing “Amazing Grace” with OCS / Master’s Men:
      • Call time at 1:15p
      • Dress code: black suit for men, all black for women
      • Music for “Amazing Grace” is available on Harmony Site - music should be memorized