It's the time of year that Bill Osselton looks forward to most.
This Valentine's Day, Osselton, along with members of the Victoria Village Squires, will don black jackets and red shirts, and deliver Singing Valentines to spread the love to men and women from urban Langford out to Sidney, and everywhere in between.
A barbershop quartet will surprise loved ones at their home, office or work place, present them with a red rose and card with a personalized message, and sing a few old-fashioned love songs, such as Sweet and Lovely and Let Me Call You Sweetheart.
“It's a nice feeling to go and sing to somebody. You go to somebody's home and get the man and wife on the chesterfield. It's nice to see the interaction that goes on between them. It's a nice thing to do,” Osselton said.
The Victoria Village Squires, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, have been delivering Singing Valentines for several decades, and have delivered as many as 50 Singing Valentines on Feb. 14.
The event is one of the main fundraisers for the chorus to help pay for operating expenses such as rental space at Victoria Silver Threads, where they practice once a week.
Originally founded in 1966, the chorus has roughly 32 members this year, who range in age from 19 to 90 years old. They sing a wide range of songs throughout the year such as Hallelujah, to more modern tunes from the Beatles as well.
Osselton joined the chorus in 1974 and has been involved on and off over the past four decades. The one thing all members have in common — singing for their own enjoyment. That enjoyment is something they're able to share with local residents through Singing Valentines.
Osselton has surprised dozens of people on the most romantic day of the year. He even sang to a dentist who was at work, while a patient was in the chair.
“Singing is its own sort of pleasure. It's very satisfying to sing and get a group of guys who sing in a four-part harmony. Some of the sounds you can produce are pretty darn good,” laughed Osselton, adding they're always looking for new members who share a passion for singing, but are not required to have any musical education.
The Victoria Village Squires practice on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to roughly 9:45 p.m. For more information or to order a Singing Valentine, call Osselton at 250-381-4675.