The Acorn – Oct. 17, 2024 – OCS Weekly News

1. High Notes

• Oct. 14: Good rehearsal on the risers. BarbershOpera for the win. Tried sectionals this week with some good results!

• Oct. 21:  Holiday Chorus begins! Remember that Mixed Chorus still starts at 6:45p, then we will add Holiday Chorus members at 7:30p and go until 8:15p. Men’s will go 8:30p – 9:30p.
• The ’24 – ’25 Board nominations were read again and passed by majority vote.  

2. Overtures

• Holiday Chorus starts this Monday, Oct. 21! Call or text your friends. Share the Facebook post/event or the poster. Participants in HC will:  
  • Learn the songs: Gloucester Wassail, Holly Jolly Christmas, Mele Kalikimaka, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/Silent Night – NO memorization required!
  • Participants are invited to sing at ANY (or all) of our holiday gigs: Dec. 2, Dec. 9, Dec. 16, and Dec. 23 (all Mondays) are at retirement centers; and Dec. 17 (Tuesday) is our public holiday show.
  • Learning tracks will be publicly posted on our website.
  • Remember, HC is no cost, no commitment for participants.
  • RSVP requested but not required at info@oakcitysound.com (or they can just show up to rehearsal!)
• Updated Rehearsal Timing starting on Oct. 21 through Holidays:
  • 6:45p – 7:30p             Mixed Chorus
  • 7:30p – 8:15p              Holiday Chorus – all of us will use folders/music for these songs
  • 8:15p – 8:30p              Business / Break
  • 8:30p – 9:30p              Men’s Chorus
• Holiday Quartets should be rehearsing!
  • Starting the 21^st, Quartets will have a chance to sing between the break and the Men’s practice.
  • Please practice the Valentines’ songs too:  Let me Call You Sweetheart; Heart of My Heart.
• Buy/Sell our Holiday Show Tickets now: Dec. 17 public concert. Cost is $17 regular & $15 for juniors/seniors. Remember, we are responsible for selling these tickets. Purchase through our website: https://tinyurl.com/OCS24holiday

• Who Might Hire us for a Concert? Do you know of any upcoming community events or a group looking for some entertainment? Contact our Marketing VP Bob Inskeep.

3. Carol's Cadence

• We made some GREAT sounds on Monday night! Let's keep building on that by singing tall, connected, round vowels with quick, forward and precise consonants. Keep practicing with singable versions of the consonants in the text. This will help us keep that brilliant, forward sound even when we switch to the correct consonants
• We will continue to start rehearsal with "The Old Songs" and "Down Our Way" so brush up on those or have that music handy if it's not familiar.
• Songs for Rehearsal on Oct. 21:
  • White Christmas – MIXED
  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – MIXED
  • Holly Jolly Christmas – HOLIDAY CHORUS
  • Gloucestershire Wassail – HOLIDAY CHORUS
  • Mele Kalikimaka – HOLIDAY CHORUS
  • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear / Silent Night – HOLIDAY CHORUS
  • Do You Hear What I Hear? – Men’s
  • Light the Legend – Men’s
  • Sleigh Ride – Men’s

4. Jingle Bells

Here’s the official show order for the Dec. 17 (Tues) public Holiday Show at The Halle:

Winter Wonderland – Men
Songs of Christmas – Men
Quartet #1
Quartet #2
Jingle Bells – Audience Sing-Along
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Mixed
White Christmas – Mixed
Quartet #3
Quartet #4
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Audience Sing-Along
Light the Legend – Men
Sleigh Ride – Men

INTERMISSION

Christmastime is Here – Men
Do You Hear What I Hear? – Men
Quartet #5
Quartet #6
The Christmas Song – Audience Sing-Along
Holly Jolly Christmas – Mixed & Holiday Chorus
Gloucestershire Wassail – Mixed & Holiday Chorus
Quartet #7
Mele Kalikimaka – Mixed & Holiday Chorus
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear / Silent Night – Mixed & Holiday Chorus



5. Accelerando
Audience Opportunities:

• Oct. 19 (Saturday): Carolina Harmony Chorus show: “Night of the Singing Dead: An A Capella Halloween.” 4pm – 6pm at Jones Auditorium (Meredith College), Raleigh. Tickets $20, kids 10 and under $10. Feel free to dress in costume!

OCS Events:

• Oct 21 (Monday): Start of Holiday Chorus! Invite those friends!
• Dec 2 (Monday): Concert at The Cardinal (at North Hills) in ballroom.
• Dec 9 (Monday), 7pm: Concert at Waltonwood on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh.
• Dec 16 (Monday), 7pm: Concert at Springmoor in north Raleigh.
• Dec 17 (Tuesday), 7:30pm - Christmas Show at Halle Cultural Arts Center in historic downtown Apex. Our big show that will include Quartets & the Holiday Chorus.
• Dec 23 (Monday), 7pm - Concert at Whispering Pines in north Raleigh on Leadmine Rd.

6. Major & Minor Moods

• PSA: While we are heading headfirst into the holidays, the season can also bring stress and bittersweet memories. Remember to talk to a friend or counselor if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Call 988 for mental health crisis support.