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From the heart: Peninsulaires sing valentines
By Emilie Crofton
Those tired of giving the typical chocolates and flowers to a sweetheart can do something different--a singing valentine by The Peninsulaires.
The Peninsulaires are the Palo Alto Mountain View chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a men's a cappella chorus. The society, which includes members from throughout the Peninsula, is built on the principle of bringing joy to the world through singing.
John Jones, who has lived in San Jose's Almaden Valley since 1976, has been part of The Peninsulaires for the past 33 years and says singing valentines brings joy to both the recipients and singers.
Jones will be in one of the barbershop quartets singing valentines on Feb. 13 and 14. The singers--donning tuxedos--will sing to recipients anywhere from San Jose to San Mateo, including workplaces, homes and restaurants.
The special someone will receive a personalized card and a rose and have two love songs sung, such as "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" or "Heart of My Heart."
"Singing telegrams don't really exist anymore, so this is something very nice and personal to arrange for a sweetheart," says Paul Eastman, coach of The Peninsulaires.
Both Eastman and Jones say the singing valentines can become very emotional and memorable for both the recipients and quartet singers. Seeing the recipients' reactions, which vary from embarrassment and happiness to tears, is all part of the fun, the men say.
Eastman remembers a family coordinating a singing valentine for their father inside their home.
"During the song the 15-year- old son broke out in tears. It ends up their father was battling cancer and had just returned from a long stay in the hospital," Eastman says. "Soon everyone, including ourselves, were in tears."
Another memorable time included a singing valentine to a young woman whose fiancee was fighting in Iraq. He coordinated everything via e-mail.
"Seeing people happy, joyful and touched by music, it can be emotional," Jones says. "The whole thing can be quite teary, but those are the fun ones. Those are the ones you always remember."
The Peninsulaires also do chorus and quartet performances, including theater shows and cabaret dinners throughout the year for community events, local charities and private parties.
The men's chorus practices every Tuesday night in Sunnyvale, and over the years, many friendships have been formed, Jones says.
"The group has the same aspects of a fraternity," he says. "I've developed friendships that have lasted to this day."
The group members are dedicated to singing well but for the Peninsulaires, singing is more of a hobby than a vocation, Jones says.
"If you are enjoying yourself, the audience will enjoy themselves, too," Jones says. "It's all about sharing the joy."
After 33 years the chapter has become life-changing and a big piece of Jones' life and family. His love of music and singing has been passed on to his three children, who all played in school bands and whose son currently sings in the Auburn/Grass Valley chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
The Peninsulaires, which has about 50 members, was established in 1948 and was one of the first chapters in California to be chartered.
"This particular group really enjoys singing with each other and that really adds to the feeling of the music," Eastman says. " This is something really special."
To order a singing valentine, visit www.thepeninsulaires.org, send orders to Barbershop Harmony Society Singing Valentines, 19021 Portos Dive., Saratoga CA, 95070 or call 650.618.8600.
For more information on the Peninsulaires visit. www.thepeninsulaires.org or contact Dave Kocharhook at 408.973.8962 or email at info@barbershop-harmony.org
The Peninsulaires will have a guest night open rehearsal April 24. at 7:30 p.m. at Sunnyvale's First United Methodist Church, 535 Old San Francisco Road.
