Love is in the air…and so are melodic tunes as the choral department presents its annual Singing Valentines.

This tradition has been a part of AHS for almost as long as the school’s existence. Through the program, students have the opportunity to purchase a Singing Valentine for a loved one or friend.

Students can choose from a group of songs that one of the choral groups will perform and write a little message on the small paper hearts included with the valentines.

“I think it’s good to get the choir kids out amongst the students, and the faculty has been really supportive about the tradition so it’s great,” choral department chair Jessica Lardin said.

The department sells the valentines for $5 each. On Feb. 14, choral students go around to classrooms to perform their songs.

“I love Singing Valentines! I think they’re so fun and it involves the choral department with the rest of the school and everyone always gets excited for them,” junior Victoria Beasley said.

There is also an opportunity for individual chorus students to audition with songs of their choosing for students to purchase.

“We’re not sure what songs we’ll have [to sing] yet, because that depends on what the kids choose,” junior Deborah Tong said.

Annandale Singers will be performing Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.” Men’s Chorale will sing its traditional rendition of “Blue Moon.”

“This experience is one of my favorite parts of being in chorus because we see people’s faces when we enter the class and I just have a fun time,” junior Andrew Riddle said.

Although some may find the tradition sweet, at times the opportunity to send a Singing Valentine can take a different turn for some students.

“I think it’s very romantic [to send one], yet it can be very awkward,” senior Jordan Baldoceda said.

The opportunity to proclaim one’s love for another or “get in the game” is a notable reason why many students may purchase a valentine.

“I think it’s a great anonymous way to express your feelings about someone for those shy folks out there,” junior Hung Truong said.

Other students see the Valentine’s Day tradition as an escape for at least a couple of minutes from class.

“I enjoy it actually, considering I’ve never gotten one before, but it’s fun and it interrupts class, so I’m all for it,” junior Rebecca Nguyen said.

The songs are usually three to four minutes long, and the choral student or group that performs announce the name of the person for whom he/she/they are singing once that student arrives in the class.

“I think they’re nice and thoughtful, but it’s kind of embarrassing to be directly sang to in front of a whole class,” sophomore Sean Flynn said.

The Singing Valentines are delivered throughout the day and are based on availability of students to perform during specific classes. Some students pick elective classes for the songs to be sung in so their friends will be less likely to get in trouble with a teacher of a core subject when the choral students interrupt class.

While the gesture is thoughtful, there is still a problem in the economic outlook on sending a Singing Valentine.

“I think [the gesture] is really sweet and it can be personal or private depending on how you see it. However, I think $5 is way too expensive for a valentine,” junior Christine Nguyen said.

Similar to every year, whether the outlook on it is good or bad, the choral department hopes that the singing valentines fundraiser will be even more successful than in year’s past.