BY ALICIA DORSET
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Tired of giving your sweetheart the same old box of obligatory chocolate chews for Valentine’s Day? Then maybe a singing quartet might be the solution.
For the fourth year in a row, the Pontiac-Waterford Big Chief Chorus is offering special barbershop quartets for a twist on the holiday and a way to raise funds for the group’s annual activities.
‘It’s a lot of fun,? Roger Holm, Big Chief chorus singer, said. ‘Not only for us, but for our clients as well.?
For the cost of $45, a lucky recipient can receive two songs sung by the quartet in full tuxedo dress, a rose, a card, and a Polaroid photo to capture the surprise, all at a location of the sendee’s choice.
‘Forty-five dollars is cheap for what you get,? Walt DeNio, Clarkston resident and Big Chief publicity chairman, said.
This year’s selected songs include ‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart?, ‘I Love You Truly?, and ‘Story of the Rose?.
Singing to unsuspecting Valentines created some interesting stories for members of the chorus throughout the years.
DeNio recalls one appointment where a quartet was scheduled to serenade a woman at a bank. After making it through security, the quartet delivered their songs and found the recipient in tears. Later that week they received a check for $100 from the woman’s husband. The couple had been on the brink of ending their marriage and the romantic serenade helped turned things around.
‘Hearing the stories afterward, that’s the most satisfying part,? DeNio said.
While the members enjoy the activity to celebrate the holiday, it also serves as a beneficial tool to raise funds for their organization.
‘Our dues each year are only $3 for members,? DeNio said. ‘Three bucks doesn’t buy a lot for each guy.?
In addition to meeting once a week for regular meetings, Valentine quartet members put in extra time to make sure their serenade will be top notch for the recipient.
‘We can do a good job singing, but you’re not going anywhere unless you get out there and promote,? DeNio said.
The Valentine serenades also produce another helpful benefit: recruitment of new members.
‘A lot of times we’ll get husbands interested in us after we sing to their wives,? DeNio said.
The Valentine surprises have extended beyond Clarkston. One individual saw the chorus? Web site from California and called in a long distance request for the quartet to sing to his mother in the area. They were more than happy to oblige.
Appointments are now being taken for the 4-5 quartets serving the area. Surprise performances will be delivered on Feb. 13 and 14. To schedule an appointment, call Wayne Cheyne at (248) 698-4052. Additional information on the Valentine package can be found at http://pontiacchapter.com/valentine.htm.