The Google search for "the definition of love" produces over 274 million results, but for The University of Memphis music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha, love means a serenade.
While walking around campus on Valentine's Day, students may hear the lyrics of Elton John and Boyz II Men floating through the halls.
The six-member Phi Mu Alpha group, "The Sweetheart Serenades," is set to serenade 15 students today as a part of a fundraising effort for the fraternity. For $5, students who wish to serenade their valentine can purchase a song, and a rose for an additional $3.
"We are doing this fundraiser because part of the objective of our fraternity is the advancement of music in America and a loyalty to the Alma Mater. This was just a way for us to show our love and appreciation of music and share it with our fellow students," said Lee Wilson, vice president of the fraternity and a member of the singing group.
The set list for the sextet includes "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John, "In the Still of the Night" by Boyz II Men and an original composition by Phi Mu Alpha song entitled "A Serenade to a Girl."
The original song was written by Robert Rogers, a member of the Gama Theta Chapter of the fraternity in the 1970s.
The members of the singing groups include Wilson, Alex Aitken, Lee Barrett, Mark Bonner, James Hudgens and Chris Vermillion. One of the group's members has joined in on the romance and purchased a serenade for his valentine.
Students may have seen The Sweetheart Serenades performing pre-Valentine's Day songs in the University Center this past week.
"We were getting ready to sing to a group of girls and basketball player Wesley Witherspoon tried to join right in," Wilson said.
Recent graduate and Phi Mu Alpha Alumni Relations Officer, Alex Aitkens, said the group has been practicing on campus in public to get the word out.
"I came up with this idea last semester. This is the first serenade that we've done on campus in front of the student body. We've really been working hard with two rehearsals a week to get ready," said Aitkens.
From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., The Sweetheart Serenades will be roaming the campus and charming a few fortunate hearts on behalf of their valentines. The group will also be accepting new performances for last-minute Romeos and Juliets.
"Really and truly, the people that we serenade are in shock. I guess they're not used to quartets singing to them personally so we get a mixture of embarrassment to ‘Oh my gosh, this is great.' We try not embarrass anyone, but it's bound to happen," said Aitken.
