Almost every sappy love story has the following scene — a romantic setting, a couple in love and music only the audience can hear playing quietly overhead.

This Valentines Day weekend, the music will be playing so loudly even the love-struck will be able to hear it.

Music for lovers

The Iowa State Department of Music is hosting a Valentine’s Day concert, “Music for Lovers,” in celebration of the day of love. The Iowa State Singers and the ISU Men’s Glee Club will be performing under the direction of Robert Molison, Director of Choral Activities.

“[All of the songs] will be about love,” Molison said. “But another reason for the show is to give the Iowa State Singers a chance to earn money for its Australia trip this year.”

In celebration of the group’s 50th anniversary, The Iowa State Singers will go down under on a 12-day tour performing in Sydney, Melbourne, Camberra and Caines.

“[Our] goal is to get as far out there as we can get,” Molison said. “And [we] think the Pacific is an exciting place culturally.”

In the past, the Iowa State Singers has celebrated its 30th anniversary on an England tour and its 40th anniversary touring the Russia and Poland.

The Iowa State Singers will be performing selections from Brahms’ Gypsy Songs, op 103 and two British Isles folksongs, “Danny Boy” and “Mary Anne.”

The group will also close out the show with several selections from Cole Porter and George Gershwin and will perform excerpts from Ames native Peter Schickele’s Liebeslieder Polkas.

The ISU Men’s Glee Club will be singing “All the Things You Are” (Jerome Kern) and “Pretty Little Angel Eyes” (Curtis Lee).

There will also be several guest performances including the a capella group, The Shaggy Boys, and several soloists.

“There will be some classical,” Molison said. “But the solos are from Broadway shows or contemporary composers. Everyone will recognize them.”

“Music for Lovers” will be held Friday night at 7:30 in the Curtiss Hall Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 general admission and are available at the Choral Office, Room 115 Music Hall, at the West Booth of the Memorial Union and at the door.

A symphony of gospel

Saturday night will offer two alternative choices.

Under the direction of Kirk Smith, the ISU Symphony will be performing its Second Annual Valentine’s Day concert, “To Lenny with Love” — a tribute to American music legend Leonard Bernstein.

“The program is made up of pieces that are close to Bernstein’s heart,” Smith said. “[We] also thought we’d honor someone the audience loves, and he was always talking about his love for his work. It definitely has a love theme.”

Performance pieces will include excerpts from Candide and Gershwin’s epic opera “Porgy and Bess.” Guest composer William Zinn will join the symphony for his “Elegy for Mother Teresa.” This will be Zinn’s first Midwest performance.

The ISU Symphony will be performing Saturday night at 7:30 in the Music Hall Recital Hall. Admission is $2 at the door.

For those who are looking for something a bit more soulful, the New Beginnings Gospel Choir will be holding a free performance at The Friendship Baptist Church.

“It’s not necessarily for Valentine’s Day,” Abdul Westbrook, junior in sports management said. “We usually have two concerts a year and this is one for this semester. It will be a nice praise time.”

Ministry dancers, The Body of Christ Worship Center, will also be performing in the two and a half hour show.

The Friendship Baptist Church is located behind the Towers Residence Halls.