“Some people wanna fill the world

with silly love songs,” and the Iowa State Singers, producers of

the Singing Valentines, is a group after Paul McCartney’s own

heart.

Students can be a part of the

phenomenon and what Kate Tindall, freshman in music and a member of

the Iowa State Singers, called “a long-standing

tradition.”

James Rodde, director of choral

activities, said the Singing Valentines were well-established by

the time he began working here in 2000.

Valentine’s Day lasts much longer

than just those 24 hours that come every year. In the days, weeks

or sometimes even months before the 14th, there is talk of how the

day is either hated or awaited.

Ben Gustin, freshman in

communication studies and a member of the Iowa State Singers has

been dreading the holiday for an entire year, “since last

Valentine’s Day.”

On the other hand, one customer, who

wishes to remain anonymous so as not to spoil the surprise in store

for his roommate’s girlfriend, has been anticipating the day for

about a week and a half. He was busy purchasing a valentine on his

roommate’s behalf, insisting that “[He is] sending it to the love

of his [roommate’s] life for him.”

The recipient of his generous

donation will be surprised during class sometime Monday.

Whether students find themselves

dreading love or spreading love this year, there is always someone

to tell how much they are appreciated. Neither flowers nor

chocolate will last very long, but the memory of a surprise

mini-concert can last forever.

Phylip Karei, senior in mechanical

engineering, stands by this, explaining, “Personally, I don’t

believe in flowers because they will die after a week.”

Karei feels a lot of pressure this

year as he is buying for his girlfriend of four years. She will

receive her valentine over the phone at work, and she is “not going

expect it at all.”

With $10 in cash or check and a bit

of love to share, a quartet composed of State Singers will serenade

anyone in the United States, if not in person, then over the

phone.

The State Singers have a booth set

up in both the Memorial Union and the Music Hall Lobby this week

from 10 a.m. to noon as well as 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The booth has a

few singers themselves, a chest with the sheet music on hand, and a

variety of cards that will be delivered along with the

melodies.

The old-school classics “Come Go

with Me” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” are the two traditional

tunes that one of the several different “scooping and swaying”

foursomes will add that personal touch to Valentine’s Day

with.

The group will sway its way to any

home, workplace or classroom (upon the professor’s approval) in the

Ames area, or will conference call its way to any heart in the

nation on Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Valentine’s Day from 8

a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tindall said that this gift is

“utterly unique,” and John Linstrom, an English graduate student

and a newer member to the Singers, added that since each quartet

consists of four different singers with such strong personalities,

“It’s a gift that no one else is getting.”