A walk past the Turnage Theatre on any given day will reveal a tall chalkboard outside the theater doors. It’s covered in colorful writing, an ever-changing list of events happening inside. Art camps for children on summer break, workshops, performances, movies, jam sessions, exhibit openings — it seems as though there’s always something, or many things, going on.

Arts of the Pamlico is an evolving entity; its directorship unafraid to try the new or different: film festivals, improv comedy, art markets, are just some of the free-flow of ideas that manifest in actual events.

The latest is a competition, not of body, but of voice. It’s an open invitation for singers across Beaufort County to gather up their best voices, aim for the highest notes and take home top honors in the inaugural River Tones Competition.

AOP is putting the call out now to give groups plenty of time to practice before the March 22, 2019, event at the Turnage. All ages, experiences and group types and sizes will be welcome. High school choirs, choral groups, gospel choirs, barbershop quartets and more — all are invited to participate. A small entry fee for each will result in a cash prize for the top group.

This time AOP is creating an opportunity to come together in music, in universal appreciation for the art of an instrument like no other.

So it’s time to dust off the sheet music, warm up those creaky vocal chords and sing out loud. If not, note the date on calendar and come out to support local singers — they’re artists too.