Members of the Muskoka Music Men will once again sing their hearts out during their annual delivery of singing valentines.

Since initiating singing valentines over 10 years ago, it is estimated that quartets have delivered close to 1,000 love songs to individuals and groups.  

Jim Mossman, vice-president of marketing and public relations for the Muskoka Music Men, said this year three quartets will make their way around Muskoka to deliver love songs upon request just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“There’s obviously quite a mix,” said Mossman in regard to who typically orders singing valentines. “We have regulars that see us every year and aren’t so surprised when we show up. On the other hand, it can be a real shock for some of the gentlemen. Delivering a singing valentine to a room full of engineers and singing to one of the guys can be quite fun. Some people get a little red, but afterward get to gloat, ‘I got one and you didn’t.’”

For those who have yet to receive a singing valentine, here’s what to expect: two beautiful love songs sung with passion, a gorgeous red rose, chocolates, heart-shaped soap and an in-the-moment photo snapped by a member of the Muskoka Music Men, who takes on the duty of driving the quartet to their destination.

With a handful of great tunes that quartet members have selected as their top love songs, singing valentine recipients can expect to hear classics like Let Me Call You Sweetheart, The Story of the Rose (commonly referred to as Heart of my Heart), I Love you Truly, Sweet Valentine and Sweet and Lovely. However, Mossman noted that if time allows, quartets would be expanding their selection of love songs in the future.

“It is most definitely a lot of fun,” he said. “We get to see some pretty interesting reactions. Some people are very sentimental and we’ve done songs that mean more to people and they get teary. Last year we visited a man who just may have been in the doghouse.”

Singing valentines can be delivered on Feb. 13, 14 and 15; however, there is limited availability and telephone reservations are required. Call 788-0225 or 783-1158 to book a singing valentine.

The Muskoka Music Men are a part of the Barbershop Harmony Society, which has approximately 35,000 members mainly throughout Canada and the United States. Generally performing in a four-part barbershop harmony, the group directs its proceeds to the Harmonize For Speech Fund, which provides funding for numerous speech-related projects and equipment at hospitals, clinics and treatment centres throughout Ontario.