For those who are tired of the chocolates-and-flowers Valentine’s Day routine, there’s another way to send the love. They’re the Magic City Music Men, and if you have $40, they will deliver a singing valentine to whomever you want.
The group was founded in the 1940s, as a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. It was the second Indiana chapter, and there are around 350 chapters in the U.S.
Singing valentines has been a tradition for the MCMM for at least 20 years, said Bryan Hughes, the musical director. The group started doing singing valentines after a request was made at a Missouri chapter.
“As a non-profit organization, we’re always looking for ways to keep the organization going,” Hughes said.
The MCMM delivered 40 singing valentines last year over the course of two days. They have performed as many as 75 times in a weekend. This year, their goal is 50 valentines.
“We only have about 25 booked right now, but I’m confident we’ll book 50,” said Hughes. “Most people book in the last week.”
Quartets deliver the singing valentines and can sing 10 to 15 times a day. They prepare “Heart of My Heart” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” for Valentine’s Day performances.
“I think it’s a fun idea,” said Paige Lorey, a freshman business administration major. “I don’t think I could ever [perform], but it would be cute to get one.”
The MCMM is strictly volunteer-based, said Hughes. Almost all of the performers have different jobs but often take a personal day off work to sing valentines. Hughes himself has taken off work for the past 17 years.
“[Valentine’s Day] is just one of those times of the year where you can make people smile,” he said.
If Valentine’s Day is too cheesy, the MCMM does perform for birthdays and anniversaries, as well.
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