The Acorn – Feb. 20, 2026 – OCS Weekly News

1. High Notes

• Feb. 16 (Mon) – Nice job everyone, and welcome to our returning guests! Together we continue to reach new heights.
• Feb. 23 (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:
  • **Plan to wear your new black/white “performance outfit” one night to see if it’s acceptable.
    • 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.

NEW notes on HOTEL RESERVATIONS:  

• NEW:  It sounds as though the District may shift the afterglow activities to the Home2 Suites, which is now sold out.
• 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 – One session 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. 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

• You are all doing a great job on our newest songs! That sure makes Monday nights more fun and productive. Thanks for the work you are doing between Mondays!
• Keep developing the connected (legato) singing that is driven by the vowel sounds that make the ringing chords. It is working!
• Veteran singers – remember to aim for being off-music this week on our new songs.
• Newer members – you are not expected to do this! If you are planning to sing at the Convention/Contest in April, focus on learning our Contest songs, which MUST be memorized if you plan to join us on stage.
• Rehearsal songs for Feb. 23:            (asterisk represents a Contest song)
  • Mixed Chorus:
    • I Can See Clearly Now – off paper for veteran singers??
    • 8 Days a Week
    • What a Wonderful World*
    • Hey Good Lookin’ *
    • You’ve Got a Friend in Me
  • Men’s Chorus:
    • If 
    • Lazy Day*
    • Over the Rainbow*
    • Happy Together
    • Where Everybody Knows Your Name

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 (Mon): Rehearsal will be at Searstone.
• NEW:  June 12 (Fri):  SUMMER SHOW at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex.
• Nov. 23 (Mon): 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!

• We were tickled to have Mike and Sharon Muha back at rehearsal this week, barely 24 hours after Mike was released from the hospital. There’s nothing like a barbershop family…