The Acorn – Feb. 12, 2026 – OCS Weekly News

1. High Notes

• Feb. 9 (Mon) – It was great being back together again after an unexpected hiatus. A big welcome to our 6 first-time guests and our returning guests as well!

• Feb. 16 (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.)
  • Regular schedule:
    • 6:45p – Mixed chorus rehearsal
    • 8:00p – Business meeting / break
    • 8:15p – Men’s chorus rehearsal

• REMINDER:  Registration for the Carolinas District Convention is OPEN! April 17 & 18, Hendersonville, N.C.  See section 5 below for more details.

NOTE ON HOTEL BLOCK RESERVATIONS:  

• Since the initial block of rooms at the Hampton Inn in Hendersonville sold out quickly, Jason Kekas indicated they were requesting more rooms.
• Also, the reservation system currently forces everyone to reserve Friday and Saturday night. If you need additional nights, Jason suggested booking those at the regular rate and letting him know that they need to be modified to the group rate. His email is vp-events@carolinasdistrict.org

2. Fanfare
Basic Music Theory Class – Two sessions left… Feel free to attend. 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. 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.”
• 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

• It is great fun singing with lots of friends. Be careful to avoid oversinging. Sing with confidence, but always listen louder than you sing!
• Men, you found a new groove on Monday night that allowed you to keep all of the sounds in that beautiful forward resonant spot. Let's keep doing that next week and help the women find that same magic!
• Rehearsal songs for Feb. 16:
  • Mixed Chorus:
    • I Can See Clearly Now  (new song)
    • 8 Days a Week  (new song)
    • What a Wonderful World  (Contest song)
    • Hey Good Lookin’  (Contest song)
    • I Only Have Eyes for You
  • Men’s Chorus:
    • If   (new song)
    • Lazy Day  (Contest song)
    • Over the Rainbow  (Contest song)
    • Yesterday

5. Accelerando  (for OCS)
April 17-18:  Carolinas District Convention & Contest (2026) (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.
• Registration also includes the late-night food/socials, fellowship, and access to all the competitions.
• ALL DETAILS HERE: www.carolinasdistrict.org/2025-nsc-district-convention/

To Represent OCS as part of the Chorus:

1. Register for the convention – choose the “RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK” chapter! Fee is $79 by March 15; $100 on Mar. 16 and after. This includes your singing as well as access to all official Conference events.
   • Bringing a spouse/family/friend who wants to watch but isn’t singing? Guest ($79) & youth (under 18 free) registration is available as well.
2. Book a room. You are welcome to stay wherever you want, though the “Headquarters Hotel” (Hampton Inn Hendersonville) will host the evening parties, singing and tag singing, etc. Two hotels are offering the Barbershop Conference rate – use the direct Booking links listed on the above web page.
3.  Join/renew as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society. You MUST be a BHS member to sing on stage at the Carolinas Convention!

Future Dates

• April 27: Rehearsal will be at Searstone.
• Nov. 23: CONCERT of holiday music at Searstone.

6. In Harmony  (Around the BHS World)

• April 17 - 18: Carolinas District Convention & Contest (Hendersonville, N.C.)
• June 28 – July 5, 2026: BHS International Convention (2026) – St. Louis, Missouri.
• July 16 - 19:  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!

• As many of you heard on Monday evening, Mike Muha is in the hospital. Following his broken ribs, he was found to have a collapsed lung and needed blood drained from his chest cavity.
• His lungs are improving but they also found elevated liver numbers. Doctors are running tests (physical damage from the fall has been ruled out) and working to diagnose and lower the numbers.
• Per Mike, he is having a 2pm procedure today to clear out his lung cavity more thoroughly. The Doc noted that with Mike’s “singing and trumpet and racquetball activities, we should clean the space out to let the lung fully inflate.”
• The lung procedure requires 24-48 hour in-hospital recovery; discharge will still be dependent on the status of the liver numbers. All prayers and good thoughts are appreciated.