The Acorn – Jan. 7, 2026 – OCS Weekly News

The Acorn – Jan. 7, 2026 – OCS Weekly News

Prelude: Short Singing Valentine Survey!

ALL – Please take a moment to complete the VERY SHORT survey below regarding Singing Valentines
- (even if you are not available or don’t want to – please open the survey and choose NO).
- Singers will need to have memorized 1) Story of the Rose (Heart of my Heart); and 2) Let me Call you Sweetheart
- SHORT SURVEY HERE: https://forms.gle/SEgnNP5k9dmDzmsh9

1. High Notes

Jan. 12 (Mon) – Optional Pre-Dinner & Modified Rehearsal & Awards & Install Party at Glenaire.
- 5:30p – OPTIONAL: Join us at Chicken Salad Chick in Waverly Place (Cary). Dinner purchase is on your own, but members, friends, and significant others are all invited to attend. This is a great chance to get to know each other!
- 6:45p – Mixed Chorus rehearsal
- 7:45p – Break and cake served!
- 8:00p – Board Installation and Awards Reception begins
- 8:45p – Reception ends (approx.)
- 9:00p – Afterglow (location TBD) – If you’re unfamiliar, an “Afterglow” is like an after-party in Barbershop-land. Join us to chat and sing! And maybe eat an appetizer or have a beverage if you want.

Jan. 19 (Mon) – regular rehearsal at Glenaire, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary. (Parking is available in the circle OR in the Glenaire parking deck at 5100 Glenhope Ct.)
- We will return to our regular schedule:
  - 6:45p for Mixed
  - 8:00p for Business meeting / break
  - 8:15p for Men’s

2. Overtures

New Performance Outfits - 2026:
- For those who haven’t heard, we have updated our performance outfits for 2026. (The short backstory is that our previous shirts/colors were discontinued.) The Board approved a new “black and white” standard (plus occasional festive bling).
- PLEASE REVIEW NEW GUIDELINES HERE: https://www.oakcitysound.org/the-chorus-uniform
- From the HarmonySite app, click the “Chorus Life” button on the bottom row, then see “Chorus Uniform.”
Do You Like Your Part?? Does it like or fit you?
- If the part you’ve been singing doesn't feel like the best place for you, January will be a good time to possibly change to a new voice part.
- We have some new music coming in 2026 and the spring convention and chorus contest in April.
- If you would like to do some range testing with Carol, send her a quick email at carolstep@gmail.com with the subject line “PART CHECK” – and we'll set up a time and location early in the new year.
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

Thank you all for your congratulations on our engagement. Gary and I were excited to tell you all our big news!
It was great getting back to work with all of you, and fantastic having 6 first time visitors on the first Monday of the year! Let's keep them coming back and keep growing our ranks.
We will get to work on several new songs soon. Mike and I will let you know as tracks are loaded and ready for you to dig in. It will be fun!
I have had 3 singers express interest in range testing with me. I'd love to have more so I can plan on a time and location where I can hear several people on the same day. Anyone else interested??
REHEARSAL NOTES:
While we will only have mixed chorus rehearsal this week due to the officer installation, please look ahead for rehearsal on January 19:
- Anything on the 2026 Repertoire lists for Mixed and Men that has the "Contest Song" or "Active" tag is likely to be rehearsed over the next few weeks.
Rehearsal songs for Jan. 12:
- All existing regular repertoire songs, including:
- Mixed Chorus:
  - I Only Have Eyes for You
  - What a Wonderful World
  - You’ve Got a Friend in Me
  - Hey Good Lookin’
  - The Lion Sleeps Tonight

4. Accelerando

NEW LOCATION for spring starts now! Rehearsals are now at Glenaire, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary.
Jan. 12 – 5:30p – Optional pre-dinner at Chicken Salad Chick – friends and spouses invited!
Jan. 12 – 8pm – Board Installation and Awards ceremony (plus cake)
April 17-18: District Convention & Contest (Hendersonville, N.C.) – optional, but most members try to go. Our chorus usually sings for evaluation scores. Any of our quartets plan to compete?!

5. In Harmony (Around the BHS World)

Jan 13 – 18, 2026: BHS Midwinter, Pasadena, California.
April 17 – 18, 2026: Carolinas District Convention & Contest (2026)
- Hendersonville, N.C.
- Cost, venue, and hotel info TBD; https://www.carolinasdistrict.org/event/nsc-2026-convention-2/
- A quick look at how the agenda usually runs:
  - Arrive Friday Apr. 17, EVENING – The quartet semi-finals run this evening – fun to watch!
  - Friday, Apr 17, LATE EVENING – Usually followed (back at the hotel) with a social/party and tag singing late into the night/early morning.
  - Saturday, Apr. 18, MORNING – Choruses will have an assigned time to sing on stage. Watching other competitors is fun too!
  - Saturday, Apr. 18, AFTERNOON – We will have a live feedback and coaching session with one of the judges at an assigned time.
  - Saturday, Apr. 18, EVENING – Quartet finals (top 10) will compete for awards and a chance to compete at the International contest in July.
  - Saturday, Apr. 18, LATE EVENING – Followed once again by social/party, usually performances by some of the Quartet winners, and then late-night/early morning tag sessions.
  - Sunday, Apr. 19 – breakfast and depart
June 28 – July 5, 2026: BHS International (2026) – St. Louis, Missouri.
Future International locations: 2027 – Minneapolis, MN; 2028 – Chicago, Ill.; 2029 – San Antonio, Texas

6. Major & Minor Moods
Please send our friends your prayers & best wishes!