T-R FILE PHOTO Members of the Marshalltown Men’s Chorus perform a “Singing Valentine” at St. Francis Catholic School back in 2020. The annual local tradition will return for its 22nd year in 2026.

It’s romantic, nostalgic and has become a Marshalltown tradition.

Now in its 22nd year, the Singing Valentine service through the Marshalltown Men’s Chorus returns Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For $30, you receive a live performance of two to three “sweetheart songs,” a customized valentine card and a red silk rose. You can add two tickets to the chorus’ upcoming 69th annual spring concert for $20. That performance is slated for April 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center at the high school. The theme is “love.” Tickets will cost $15 each at the door.

The chorus consists of around 30 males, led by Director Monica Kruse. Longtime member Andy Schwandt said the guys keep offering the Singing Valentines because folks continue to ask for them.

“Not only do we have great participation from the public, but also great participation from our members as well,” he said.

Schwandt first joined the chorus in 1987 then moved away in 1995, returning in 2002, coming back to the group.

There are always repeat customers, and the service can be for your significant other, child, parent, friend, or even a workplace or care center.

“We try to have them come every year and it’s been so much fun for the candy store for them to come and sing while the gals are always working. We also have forms available for people to take that would like them to come to their work or homes,” said Lillie Mae owner Aimee Deimerly-Snyder.

The men often sing these tunes: “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” “Oh, You Beautiful Doll,” “Heart of My Heart” and “You Are My Sunshine.”

“We’ve got a core five to six songs that we’ll pick from when we do sing, and we’ll try to mix it up,” he noted. “For instance, if we’re at the Iowa Veterans Home for two to three gigs, we’ll try to pick different songs for each one of those, especially if we’re singing in the same area.”

Mail orders to: Marshalltown Men’s Chorus, 2013 Edgebrook Drive, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158. You can also call: 641-750-1898.

Orders and payments must be in no later than 6 p.m. on Feb. 12. Payment must be received before a performance is scheduled.

Note, please allow a one-hour window of time for scheduled delivery. A full refund will be given if Valentine cannot be performed due to accident, illness, or other causes outside of the control of the chorus.

The performers average 60 to 90 gigs for this one-day service.

“We’ve got at least three quartets, if not more, depending upon all that we need,” Schwandt said. “We will have a group up in Conrad again, also a group down around Alleman. We have a member of the chorus that lives there and he and his wife are out selling, so we’ll have quite a few there. Otherwise, we want to stay within about a 10 mile radius of Marshalltown.”

Not only does the harmonizing put smiles (and blushes) on people’s faces as a unique gift, but also the event is a fundraiser for the chorus.

“This year, we’re going to offer one $1,000 scholarship to go to somebody who’s pursuing a music career of some kind. It also helps us offset costs that go into putting on the spring concert,” he said. “I have not heard anybody say anything negative about the project itself. It’s always been a positive thing for both. We’ve got a great number of guys who volunteer to make sure that they’re available, so when you know you’ve got plenty of people willing to be part of the little small men’s groups to go out and do these Valentine sing outs, that’s encouraging too.”

The Marshalltown Men’s Chorus performs at various community and holiday events. No auditions are required. It meets every Monday night September through May at 7 p.m. at Elim Lutheran Church.