OCEAN PINES — The Delmarva Chorus of Sweet Adelines International will kick off its “Singing Messages” serenading services with Valentine’s Day performances in Berlin, Ocean City and Ocean Pines.
The Sweet Adelines are a feminine take on the traditional male barbershop harmony, and are dedicated to teaching women how to sing a cappella (without musical accompaniment). It is an independent, nonprofit music education association for women singers that was founded by the wives and friends of male barbershop singers in Tulsa, Okla., and has 500 chapters worldwide, primarily in the U.S.
Carol Ludwig, director of the 10-year-old Delmarva Chorus, said the Ocean Pines-based group has 28 members and will send members out in quartets to the location of the sender’s choice including homes, offices, restaurants or nursing homes.
The $25 performance fee includes two personalized serenades and a picture of the recipient that can be e-mailed to the sender. She said organizers are also trying to arrange a way to include a chocolate flower gift for recipients with the Valentine’s Day performances.
The singing messengers are available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The performances are a fundraiser to help the chorus pay royalty fees for copyrighted music, vocal education and costumes, used in competitions held by the international organization. The regional competition for this area is scheduled for Apr. 23 and includes chapters from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Ludwig said.
The chorus performs regularly in the area, according to Ludwig. She said its annual schedule includes two performances at the Berlin Nursing Home, a Halloween show at the Gull Creek Senior Living Community, Memorial Day and Veterans Day appearances at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, and a music and comedy show in Ocean Pines.
Even with all those shows Ludwig still called the chorus “a pretty well-kept secret.” The Singing Messages will continue year-round, she said, and the performers will also be available for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions.
“We try to personalize the songs as much as we can,” Ludwig said. “Most of the people are very surprised when we show up.”
One of the benefits of the serenades for Ludwig, she said, is that they are as fun for the singers as it hopefully is for the recipients. “I like to bring joy,” she said.
Information on Delmarva Chorus performances is available at 410-641-5091.