Let them serenade you

Who needs Valentine’s cards with a dynamic group of songsters like 4 For the Moment around town? The local barbershop quartet - Marilyn Johnson, Kathy Pereira, Pam Kranz and Jill Bishop - will launch into song on February 14 any time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. (unless the time slot is already booked) and go just about anywhere to in the city to bring Valentine’s Day greetings to friends, bosses, husbands, wives, partners or who ever takes your fancy. The venue doesn’t matter - 4 the Moment will sing at at the work place, residence, hospital bedside, senior’s home or bars. It really doesn’t matter.
In fact, the four were at the Free Press offices Monday, trying out their routine on one of the reporters who for the record, liked what he heard.
“Sometimes people get a little embarrassed at the attention, but we’re used to that. It’s good it’s on a weekday because then we get to go to people’s workplaces which can be very interesting. We also give them a card and a carnation when we arrive,” said Kranz (she sings bass.)
They may have been plucked from White Spruce City Chorus and sang as the Sweet Adelines but in their red vests, black pullovers and broad smiles, the four have transformed themselves into signing greeting cards. Cupid would be proud.
Johnson (lead singer) has been with the choir 15 years. “I love to sing. It’s been a wonderful learning education too, right back to my days singing in a country and western band (her father’s) in Vanderhoof.”
Pereira (baritone) is in her third year with White Spruce City Chorus. She got her singing start in a choir. “I started out singing in the church choir and I was singing with the choir at Sacred Heart Cathedral when I met Marilyn and she encouraged me to join the choir. I love it.”
Kranz (bass) came to Prince George ten years ago and found her niche in a choir that could accommodate her deep, bass voice. “I wanted to find a choir that I could fit into. I got on the phone with someone from Sweet Adelines and the voice on the other end said, “you’re a bass. I can tell by your voice. So I knew I’d found where I needed to be.”
Bishop (tenor) is the musical director behind the White Spruce City Chorus. She sings, plays piano and studied the clarinet at school. “We plan what we’ll be doing for the year and we practice a lot.” Choir members need not have music in their background. Or be able to read music, said Kranz. “You just have to sing.” And they sing it all: pop, jazz, Broadway hits, rock, traditional concert music and “red neck” songs.
Their “gig” as 4 the Moment is a fundraiser for the chorus and a chance to bring Valentine greetings to as many people as they can. Cost of the singing Valentine-grams is $30. Call Pam Kranz at 250-562-9855 for more information .