Concept & Requirements
What is OMIYAcappella?
OMIYAcappella is not a club. There are no fixed bands and no compulsory practice — it is a place to gather for anyone around Omiya who feels like singing, whenever they feel like it.
You want to keep singing, but weekly rehearsals and a fixed line-up are more than you can commit to. Working life has made it harder to get together the way you did as a student. OMIYAcappella was built for exactly that.
"I would like to sing this song — anyone want to join?" That one sentence is enough to bring a band into being for a single day. Only six things are fixed to make it work.
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Six ground rules
Not regulations to tie anyone down, but the handful of things that let a one-day band come together comfortably.
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01
We meet around Omiya
Rehearsals happen in studios, karaoke rooms and parks around Omiya, and nowhere else. Keeping the area deliberately narrow is what makes us "the people you can meet up with in Omiya".
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02
One-day or short-term bands only
We do not form permanent bands. A band may disband the same evening — or stay together long enough to play an a cappella event.
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03
Anyone can start a band
Putting out a call is not the organisers' privilege. Any member can start a project, and wanting to sing a particular song is reason enough.
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04
Nothing is compulsory
No general meetings, no band you are obliged to join, no quota of appearances. Take part or don't, and if you leave, nobody will try to talk you out of it.
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05
No membership fee
The community itself costs nothing to belong to. Only the real costs of a given project — studio hire and the like — are split between the people who turn up.
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06
Everything happens on LINE
Calls for members and all the arrangements live in one LINE group. It starts with a single message, on the day the idea occurs to you.
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How singing with us works
From the first message to the performance, it is roughly these four steps — and anyone may start one.
Put out a call on LINE
"I would like to sing ⃝⃝ — anyone want to join?" Any member can post one.
The band comes together
Whoever answers forms a one-day or short-term band. A recording and the sheet music are shared, and everyone learns their part before the rehearsal.
Rehearse around Omiya
Meet at a studio, karaoke room or park near Omiya. Arriving with your part already learned is the one thing we ask.
Sing, or play an event
Disband the same day if you like — or keep the band together for something like the Maihama Acappella Street festival.
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Who we are looking for
OMIYAcappella is open to experienced singers only. If a cappella is something you have dabbled in once or twice, we are afraid this is not the right place — with apologies.
We would love to hear from you if…
What matters is not how good you are, but that you turn up with your part learned. Do get in touch if anything here is unclear.
- You are between 20 and 35 years old
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You have sung a cappella before Specifically, at least two years in a university a cappella circle — past or present, either is fine.
- You can arrive at a rehearsal with your part already learned
- You can put a song together in a single day of three or four hours
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You live in the Kanto region and can come to Omiya to sing Rehearsals are limited to studios, karaoke rooms and parks around Omiya.
Is there a membership fee?
None at all. Only the actual costs of a project, such as studio hire, are split between the people taking part.
Is there anything besides singing?
Nothing compulsory, though we do hold barbecues and get together for drinks fairly regularly. Come if you feel like it.
Can I leave whenever I want?
Whenever you want. Nobody will try to talk you out of it — and if the urge comes back, come back.
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House rules
These exist to keep everyone comfortable, not to tie anyone down. The idea is simply to enjoy singing — this is the minimum that protects it.
Rule 01
How we operate
One-day and short-term project bands only. Forming a fixed band inside the group is not allowed.
Rule 02
Where we rehearse
Studios, karaoke rooms and parks around Omiya. Rehearsing near a venue just before an event is the one exception.
Rule 03
Cancelling
If plans change, tell the others by the day before; if you fall ill on the day, at least two hours ahead.
Rule 04
During rehearsal
Run it however you like — but never at someone's expense, and learn your part beforehand.
Rule 05
Anything else
Talk to members individually within reason. No religious or business solicitation. Other bands and circles are fine.