The Acorn – Jan. 22, 2026 – OCS Weekly News

Type of post:	Chorus news item
Sub-type:	The Acorn
Posted By:	Evie Snapp
Status:	Current
Date Posted:	Thu, Jan 22 2026

The Acorn – Jan. 22, 2026 – OCS Weekly News

1. High Notes

Congrats and welcome to Will Weiss who is our newest official OCS member after he passed his audition this week. Yay!!
Jan. 26 (Mon) – regular rehearsal at Glenaire --- (if a lack of ice allows safe passage) -- 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary. (Parking is available in the circle OR in the Glenaire parking deck at 5100 Glenhope Ct.)
- Regular schedule:
  - 5:45p – Basic Music Theory class #1 – all welcome!
  - 6:45p – Mixed chorus rehearsal
  - 8:00p – Business meeting / break
  - 8:15p – Men’s chorus rehearsal

2. Fanfare
Basic Music Theory Class – Starting this week! No cost!

5:45p – 6:30p, for 4 sessions
Join any time – even if you can’t attend all classes!
RSVP not required but doing so will allow Gary to bring enough materials: gthorn228@gmail.com
Classes and topics are:
- Jan. 26 – Session 1: Staff, Notes, Markings, Measures, Accents, Time Signature, Key Signatures, Clefs (Treble and Bass), Sharps and Flats, Note Lengths, Rests.
- Feb. 2 – Session 2: Review Notes, Note Lengths, Piano Keys, Note Accidentals, double Sharps/Flats, Key signature to determine Key of Song, Naturals, chords.
- NO CLASS Feb. 9 due to scheduled Board Meeting 😊
- Feb. 16 – Session 3: Tempo and tempo markings, time Signature review, Tempo changes (Poco, Molto, Ritards, etc.), Repeats, Repeat Endings, common Music road Map Markings, dynamic markings, accents.
- Feb. 23 – Session 4: Review Previous Sessions, Sharing Stems, beats in a measure, ties and slurs, look at Irish Blessing Music, Major/Minor/7th Chords, diminished, augmented chords, Some actual chords and each part in Down Our way (primarily so you can tell are you on 1-3-5 or 7 in a Chord). Session 4 will have some advanced topics that when understood, it will help you match other parts and "lock and ring" chords.

Sell our Singing Valentines!
Singing Valentines are a key fundraiser for OCS and a great way to show someone you care!
Help us out by telling your friends! They can order online at www.oakcitysound.org

Prices range from $50 (anytime of the day) to $100 (within 30 minutes of your specified time).
A quartet (or VLQ) will sing a song and deliver a card with the buyer’s personal message. Roses also available.
Quartets available Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14.

3. 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.

4. Carol's Cadence

Even with several members missing, we had a great rehearsal on Monday night!
Keep working on the Valentine songs so you are feeling good about various options for Singing Valentines.
These are also polecat songs that all members of BHS know, so you can hop in and sing with people at the convention in April. It's a great way to make new friends across the district and the world!
Rehearsal songs for Jan. 26:
- All existing regular repertoire songs, including:
- Mixed Chorus:
  - Heart of my Heart (Story of the Rose)
  - Let Me Call You Sweetheart
  - I Only Have Eyes for You
  - What a Wonderful World
  - Hey Good Lookin’
- Men’s Chorus:
  - Lazy Day
  - Here Comes the Sun
  - Yesterday
  - Sweet Caroline
  - Over the Rainbow

5. Accelerando (for OCS)

Basic Music Theory Class – This free 4-week class is good for anyone and everyone! Feel free to attend even if you can’t make every session. Dates and topics above – note NO class Feb. 9 due to Board meeting.
April 17-18: District Convention & Contest (Hendersonville, N.C.) – optional, but most members try to go.
- Our chorus usually sings for evaluation scores – then free coaching from a judge in the afternoon! It’s also a great chance to hear some amazing quartets and choruses.

6. In Harmony (Around the BHS World)

Jan. 31: Carolinas’ District Leadership Academy – free, virtual. 9a – 5p via Zoom. Training for chapter officers and future leaders. Check here for details: https://www.carolinasdistrict.org/event/leadership-academy/
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 Convention (2026) – St. Louis, Missouri.
July(?): Lakeside Harmony Weekend – Furman University(?) – this fun and educational weekend offers barbershop education, fellowship, and concerts for an EXTREMELY affordable price that includes lodging and most meals. Stay tuned for when 2026 details are released: https://lakesideharmony.org/
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!

Keeping Nic’s Song Bright: Turning Our Remembrance into Research

For those new to OCS, Nic Cols was a long-time member who lost his battle with brain cancer in October.
In honor of Nic Cols’ impact and legacy, Liz Kasberg has identified a way we can join together to make an impact:

We will be collecting funds throughout January, then donate them to the Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke in honor of Nic.
The Tisch Center are global leaders in treatment and research into brain cancer treatment, specifically glioblastoma, which is what Nic had.
Once complete, the Tisch Center will provide us with a recognition letter and certificate we can give to Nic's family, recognizing the donation in his honor.
TO DONATE IN HONOR OF NIC:
- We will be collecting cash and checks at rehearsals. (We collected just over $300 on the 12^th alone!)
- Checks should be made out to Oak City Sound.
- Submit online donations using Paypal at rtp.bhs@oakcitysound.org
The Tisch Center is also hosting its annual fundraising walk & 5K – called Angels Among Us – on April 25. It offers a chance for families, friends and survivors to come together and raise funds for the Center. If enough members are interested, we may field an OCS team.