Barbershop Quartets to deliver Singing Valentines

RED BANK – They’ll be saying “I love you” in song during Valentine’s Day week – and they’ll be leaving thousands of sweethearts speechless.

This year, hundreds of barbershop quartets across the continent will deliver singing Valentines to thousands of special sweethearts. Listen for the sound of harmony in offices, factories, schools and homes throughout North America. Whenever they appear, they’ll draw a crowd – and sometimes a few tears.

The quartets belong to the Barbershop Harmony Society (www.barbershop.org). The price of a typical Singing Valentine starts around $50, depending upon the location, and often includes two songs sung in barbershop harmony, a card and a rose. Men and women alike are on the receiving end, with moving results.

“It’s especially interesting for the guys to deliver a Singing Valentine from a woman to her husband or boyfriend,” media relations manager Julie Siepler said. “One year, a quartet went to the Chrysler factory here in Kenosha, and caught a guy going off shift. He was stunned. His co-workers gathered around and were ready to start razzing him, until they saw the tears welling up in his eyes.”

She continued, “Of course, our service also lists female or mixed quartets as well.”

Singing Valentines providers include members of the Barbershop Harmony Society, Sweet Adelines International and Harmony, Inc.

Valentine providers can be located on the web at: www.singingvalentines.com. The society also offers a toll-free number for those without Internet access at: (800) 876-SING, ask for “Singing Valentines.” Locally, the Red Bank Area Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society will provide Singing Valentines Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12, 13 and 14. For details call Jon Greene at 732583-1684, or go to: www.harmonize.com/RedBank.