Jan. 30, 2026 – The Acorn – OCS Weekly News

Type of post: Chorus news item
Sub-type: The Acorn
Posted By: Evie Snapp
Status: Current
Date Posted: Fri, Jan 30 2026
The Acorn – Jan. 30, 2026 – OCS Weekly News


Prelude: Valentines Role Call – Please Confirm
We are trying to finalize the list of Singing Valentines participants, but some survey responses do not have names attached.

Therefore, if you are PLANNING to sing Valentines, but are NOT on the list below, please email Larry ASAP:
  • Eric Harper
  • Ashley
  • Paul Martin
  • Larry
  • Jack Moody
  • Steve Mark
  • Gary
  • Carol
  • Michael Field
  • David Kraay
  • Will Weiss
  • Chris Olteanu
  • Vern
  • Eva
  • Shirley
Name not here, but want to sing?! Email Larry! larryphill@yahoo.com



1. High Notes
  • Feb. 2 (Mon) – Regular rehearsal (assuming we don’t have 12 inches of snow) at Glenaire, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary. (Parking is available in the circle OR in the Glenaire parking deck at 5100 Glenhope Ct.)
    • Regular schedule + Music Theory Class:
      • 5:45p – Music Theory Class #2
      • 6:45p – Mixed chorus rehearsal
      • 8:00p – Business meeting / break
      • 8:15p – Men’s chorus rehearsal
  • Feb. 9 (Mon) – Board meeting & Rehearsal at Glenaire
    • 5:30p – Board meeting – all welcome!
    • 6:45p – Mixed chorus rehearsal
    • 8:00p – Business meeting / break
    • 8:15p – Men’s chorus rehearsal

2. Fanfare
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.

Basic Music Theory Class – continuing… 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:
    • 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.

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
  • Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away!
  • The first week of the Basic Music Class was a success as a Zoom meeting on Monday. Week 2 will take place on Monday in person (assuming we still have rehearsal).
  • I will contact those who have asked for a part check to meet with them on Monday before or after rehearsal.
  • Rehearsal songs for Feb. 2:
    • 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)
  • 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!
  • Please send your best wishes to Mike Muha! Here’s a note from him about his recent incident:  
  • Folks need to watch the ice. My feet went out going down my front porch brick steps, and I landed three steps down on the bottom step, on my back. Broke three ribs. Took about 10 minutes to get off the ground and have the family take me to Rex ER, where they CT scanned me. Great folks, but a 5-hour ordeal there. I think I finally have the right combo of meds to handle the pain. Treatment is just rest and pain management.  I'll plan to be back when I can. If symptoms are reduced enough, I plan to be there for some portion of rehearsal Monday.