FHSU singers help deliver perfect Valentine's gifts
By GAYLE WEBER
During its annual Singing Valentines fundraiser, the Fort Hays Singers have encountered some unusual requests.
Terry Crull once proposed to a girl as a singing valentine. And a women's group sang a valentine to a football player in a locker room.
Although they might be out-of-the-ordinary requests, the Fort Hays Singers will do what they can to deliver the perfect Valentine's Day gift in the form of song.
This year, a men's barbershop quartet, a women's trio and Crull as a soloist will be available from noon to 8 p.m. Feb. 12, 13 and 14 throughout Hays. Crull, director of choral activities at FHSU, also can do solos in neighboring communities, if time allows.
"We're doing it three days because Valentine's Day is on a Sunday, and we wanted to hit students and the campus community on Friday," Crull said.
Along with a song, recipients of the valentines receive a sweetheart rose and a small box of chocolates.
"It's just a great way to score big points with their sweetie," Crull said, noting many people request the valentine to be sung at their significant other's workplace.
Both the men's and women's groups have prepared songs to sing when they are requested. Bison sophomore Steven Cornwell said he looks forward to the Valentines because of the type of music the group gets to sing.
"For years, I have loved singing barbershop," he said.
Although this is junior Melia Korbe's first year as part of the Singing Valentines group, she had some experience with it in high school.
"I am really looking forward to seeing the surprise on their faces when they see us and hear us," Korbe said.
Requests for Singing Valentines should be made as soon as possible by contacting Crull by e-mail at tacrull@fhsu.edu or by phone at (785) 628-4258. Each request is $30, and proceeds go toward the Fort Hays Singers' trip to Italy in May 2011.