VOCALISTS SERENADE VALENTINES

By Nick Johnson
Daily Collegian Online

Friday, February 13, 2009

From singing to Graham Spanier's wife or interrupting a chemistry exam, the Penn State's singing troubadours -- the Dreamers of Phi Mu Alpha -- went to all lengths to spread the love during Valentine's week.

"We'll go anywhere -- on campus, in dorms, and elsewhere," Matt Yarbrough (junior-communication arts and sciences) said. "We'll interrupt classes if necessary."

On Thursday morning, the group traveled to Whitmore Laboratory, the School of Visual Arts's ceramics studio, the Stuckeman Family Building and the Business Building to sing to the lucky recipients of the valentines.

For $10, the group will sing one song and present a single red rose to the recipient.

Group director Michael Macartney (senior-music education) said "Singing Valentines" have been a tradition at the music fraternity for nearly 20 years.

"It started with members singing to girlfriends and then grew into a fundraiser as it gained in popularity," he said.

The group sings member-written arrangements of popular love songs including "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," "Earth Angel" and "For the Longest Time" -- all sung Thursday morning.

Erin McCullough (junior-vocal performance) showed up at the Whitmore Laboratory with a group of friends to see the Dreamers sing to friend Meghan Schiffer (junior-nutrition).

"Her boyfriend doesn't go here, so we decided to be her Valentine," she said.

Though many valentine recipients are hesitant at first and often embarassed, Brian Taylor (senior-recreation, park and tourism management) said that's the goal of the group.

"If we did our job, they got embarrassed," he said. "We want them to turn the color of the rose."

Macartney, who was a member of the group for four years before becoming its director two years ago, said the valentines are always a good time.

The group is made up of Phi Mu Alpha brothers and pledges and doesn't take itself too seriously, Macartney said.

"It's about having a good time with music," he said. "Everyone can have their own say and involvement."

The group has been delivering valentines since Wednesday and will continue through Saturday. Phi Mu Alpha representatives will be in the HUB-Robeson Center from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today to take last-minute orders, Macartney said.

# # #
Access the original article by clicking here.