Flowers and candy are staples for Valentine‘s Day, but how about a singing valentine courtesy of Revised Edition. The barbershop quartet will provide romantic and harmonious songs to the person of your choice.
“We do singing valentines all over the area,” said John Whitehouse, a member of the quartet for 13 years.
Other members of Revised Edition are Nathan Falk, tenor; Jeff Brunner, baritone; and Bruce Brodhagen, bass. Whitehouse sings the melody.
“All of us are members of our church choirs,” Whitehouse said.
Previously they have done as many as 28 valentines in a day. They sing two love songs, provide a long-stemmed red rose and a photo memento for $40. The quartet will go anywhere in Shawano and Menominee counties.
Revised Edition is associated with the Baylander Chorus in Green Bay, a nonprofit group that gets all the proceeds from the singing valentines. A portion is returned to the community.
Whitehouse said the Baylander Chorus board of directors controls who gets the funds, but the quartet can make recommendations. Groups that have received funds include Boy Scouts, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Lakeland Industries.
Falk has been singing barbershop for 20 years.
“It’s just fun singing with people and making something bigger of your voice than you could do by yourself,” he said.
The quartet sings at retirement parties and nursing homes, for birthdays and anniversaries, and at various events. Last year the group sang in the Shawano Community High School musical, “The Music Man.”
The Baylander Barbershop Chorus has close to 40 members. There are three other quartets in the group.
“We’re primarily trying to support any music venue,” Whitehouse said. “We promote the hobby.”
Whitehouse, who always sang country music, was encouraged to go to a barbershop event. It took him three months to go, but he’s happy he finally went.
“I didn’t know anything about it,” he said. “It’s the best hobby I’ve ever had. It’s so much fun. I love to sing.”
The group practices every week and sometimes practices with the chorus in Green Bay, where Whitehouse said he always learns something such as breathing, vocal and relaxing techniques.
Falk said their voices are the only instruments used in their songs.
“It’s using the talents that you have,” he said.
On April 25 Revised Edition will perform at Green Bay Southwest for a fundraiser for the Honor Flight. The event begins at 7 p.m.
For more information or to book a singing valentine, call Whitehouse at 715-853-9324.
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