Capital Chordsmen deliver singing Valentines

Four Oysters in Search of a Pearl, a barbershop quartet with roots in Apalachicola, returns to the Forgotten Coast area to deliver personal Valentine serenades to waiting sweethearts. 

The serenades are often delivered as a complete surprise, whether at home, a place of work, while dining at a restaurant, at a private party, or wherever the sender wants delivery. The Oysters strongly recommend that element of surprise, which heightens the impact of the event. They deliver to sweethearts, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, fathers, wives, boyfriends and husbands (yes, they sing to the guys as well!)

The personal Serenade includes two love songs and a short special message song, a long-stem red carnation, a box of chocolates, and a memory photo. Of course, all music is in classic, four-part barbershop style. The cost is $50, payable by check, cash or credit card.

Jerry Parr, bass singer in the 4 Oysters, was selected by the Capital Chordsmen as Barbershopper of the Year 2022. A unanimous decision by the selection committee, the award was presented at the annual installation of officers and holiday celebration at year’s end.

Parr has been active in shaping quartet and chorus performance styles, by suggesting choreography, adding key changes, and original or alternate tags that brighten up otherwise mundane music. “He exhibits a keen sense of performance comedy, bringing the 4 Oysters in Search of a Pearl quartet to a significantly higher level of artistic style,” wrote the selection committee.

He also is active as vice president of membership, working to recruit new members and recall members who became inactive during the COVID pandemic. He printed recruiting cards for members to use as an introduction to individuals they meet in everyday activities, and is developing a program to introduce the group’s music style to music departments in area schools.

Because of commitments in the Tallahassee area on Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Oysters will be delivering their musical love messages on Saturday, Feb 11 instead. Available time slots are limited, so if you are planning a Valentine Serenade, be sure to book early.

The Tallahassee Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, is a non-profit organization dedicated to singing and preserving the barbershop style of music. The organization consists of The Capital Chordsmen, currently singing as a mixed chorus. The men and ladies sing as individual groups, as mixed groups, and as individual quartets throughout the local seven-county area and communities with their

Valentine’s Serenades, Christmas concerts, Gospel and Inspirational concerts, and community service performances.

To contact the Oysters, text or call Ken Schroeder at 850-653-5662.. Those interested in joining the Society, can just show up at any rehearsal at the Tallahassee Senior Center’s second floor auditorium at 7 p.m. any Thursday evening. For additional information, e-mail to info@capitalchordsmen.org, or phone or text to 850-570-3148.