The Acorn - Aug 7, 2024 - OCS Weekly News

1. High Notes

Aug 5: Good flexibility this week with a last-minute room change and rehearsal changes! Mike did a great job conducting in Carol’s absence. We made some great progress on this week’s songs – more on that below.
Aug 12: Regular Monday meeting: New normal times of 6:45p for Mixed Chorus, 8:00p for Men's chorus, at our regular location at the Glenaire Auditorium (4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary).
Also on Aug 12: 5:30p Board Meeting – open to anyone who would like to attend. We also have open slots for new board members for 2025! Attending a board meeting is a great way to see what goes into OCS. If you’re interested in a board or volunteer position, please contact Andy Fuson (fusonandy@gmail.com; 919-847-2797 or cell 919-272-6197).

2. Overtures

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.
Help Needed! NC State Home Football Concessions: We need 2 more people for the first game (Thursday, Aug. 29). We also have 4 or 5 open slots for each of the remaining games (Sept. 14 & 28, Oct. 5 & 12, Nov. 2 & 9).

**Please let Gary know when you have completed the online alcohol training.**

This is our most important fund raiser of the year. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dNxJLkhQRwNSG4sKW_Yu2FLa6rS1fIlxyLr9_j5FVps/edit?usp=sharing

Truck Location? The chorus needs to find a suitable location to park our truck. Do you have room on your property? Any additional ideas?
Are you available to sing at the April 4 & 5, 2025, Carolinas Barbershop Harmony Convention in Southern Pines? If you know you will NOT be available for the Convention next year, please let us know as that may influence our decision on the competition.

3. Carol's Cadence

Thanks to everyone for continuing to take on different songs each week – as Mike mentioned at rehearsal, working these songs is helping us finalize our list for the holiday season.
Rehearsal plan for Monday, August 12 ...(Yes, same songs as last week!):
- Mixed:
  - I Only Have Eyes for You
  - Christmas Through Your Eyes
  - White Christmas
  - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (women will need to sing tenor or baritone)

- Men’s:
  - Sleigh Ride
  - Christmas Time is Here
  - Songs of Christmas
  - Winter Wonderland

4. Accelerando

Sept 2: - NO Rehearsal - Labor Day Holiday
Sept 29 (Sunday), 3pm: Concert at Preston Pointe in Morrisville.
NEW >> Sept 30 (Monday): Concert at Glenaire (our normal space)
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.

5. Major & Minor Moods

Cross O’Donovan’s wife Brenda is recovering from surgery to improve her chronic back pain. Cross reports she’s doing well, and he will be home taking care of her the next few weeks.
Nic Cols came through brain surgery with his speech intact – and he even showed up to sing on Monday! Congrats!
Prayers for Jim Murrell's son, Scott, who had emergency surgery on July 31 due to a tear on the wall of his intestine. He has a new iliostomy that will hopefully allow for chemo to resume soon.

6. Leitmotifs: Gary Thorn

This new section of the newsletter will periodically highlight a chorus member and their story.

Gary Thorn

11-year BHS member; RTP Chapter President
Day Job: Salesforce Administrator at Cree LED
Backstory: I first heard about Barbershop when my high school girlfriend's dad invited me to a meeting in 1977. While in college at Virginia Tech, I sang with the Tech Men acapella group. I took a break from singing to raise 3 kids – but after my youngest went away to college, I joined the RTP Chapter and the rest is history!
Quartets: I currently sing in the barbershop quartet 7th Dimension with 2 other OCS members. I also did a quartet at my church with my father, brother, and our youth pastor. We called ourselves “Crown of Thorns” since 3 of us had the last name Thorn!
How do you Harmonize?! I love to harmonize and lock and ring chords. Love to hear overtones whenever possible. And love to interact and tell some bad dad jokes.
Why Oak City Sound?
- I enjoy being with barbershop family every Monday night, hearing and singing in a quartet, and occasionally doing a paid gig.
- I also love seeing the joy that harmony brings to folks that hear us. That is really awesome!