Want to serenade your sweetheart on Valentine's Day, but afraid your voice might wilt the roses you just brought?

There is another way.

The North Georgia Barbershop Singers, based in Forsyth County, will send quartets around the area Friday and Saturday to share their four-part harmony at offices, homes, restaurants or wherever they can further romance.

For $35, customers pay for the groups to sing two love songs a capella and then leave a long-stemmed red rose and personalized Valentine card.

The Valentine's Day event "is one of the greatest things that we do," said Jack Martin, the group's co-founder. "It's the most fun we have. ... We see a lot of people cry, we see a lot of smiles. It's very, very gratifying to all of us."

Martin, a 40-year barbershop singer, wanted to start up a group when he moved to the Cumming area three years ago. He formed the group with the help of Dawson County resident Rich Pilch.

The group, first known as the Forsyth County Barbershop Singers, started with four members in 2007 and later wavered between eight and 12 members. But interest soared after some newspaper coverage last year.

"We now have 24 singing regularly and we're doing a few gigs around the area," said Martin, the group's musical director.

Tom Riggle of West Hall said he joined the group in September on a friend's referral.

"I have found that you can (sing) around the house or in the shower, but it sounds so much better if you get three other guys ... who are singing a different part," said Riggle, who sings melody.

In January, the group decided to appoint several officers "so I can concentrate on the music," he said.

The group, which changed the name to pull members from a larger area, can be heard practicing "Sweet Adeline" and other recognizable tunes at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Christ the King Lutheran Church fellowship hall in Cumming.

The men wear regular street clothes at rehearsals but gear up in the nostalgic barbershop outfits - complete with bright blue sequined vests, straw hats and bow ties - when belting out tunes for an audience.

Those receiving Valentine melodies this week might be too busy blushing to notice the camaraderie among the singers.

Martin said he has stayed with his craft so long because of the catchy, old-fashioned tunes.

However, "it didn't take very long to realize that the friendship and fellowship we maintain is the thing that keeps me coming back," he said.

"I have traveled all over the United States and various parts of Canada and visited many (barbershop singing) chapters over 40 years, and the same camaraderie exists in each one. ... You feel at home any place you go."

Four men, representing bass, baritone, tenor and lead voices, will have a fifth group member on the Valentine trips.

That person's job is to serve as emcee, said Dick Rockwell, the group's president and a Dawsonville resident.

"He finds the person (getting sung to) ... and introduces the group," he said.

Rockwell said he expects the Valentine's pursuits will carry them to a variety of stages.

"Unfortunately, some people might even be in a hospital or nursing home," he said.

One thing Rockwell is counting on - their appearances to be kept secret.

"Let's say a husband gets it for his wife, and she is overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness and the look, the way we sound, the rose - the whole package," he said.