Have you ever been serenaded in front of your whole class on Valentine’s Day? Every year dozens of Venice High students are serenaded by the school band. This tradition, known as “saxygrams,” are a way for the band to raise money, but they also bring joy to students and teachers on Valentine’s Day.

Band director David Lee along with the Venice High band started selling the saxygrams two weeks before Valentine’s Day for $5 and sold them for $10 after Feb. 13. On Valentine’s Day, the band goes into classrooms to play the songs people requested. People can send them to friends, favorite teachers or lovers. Some teachers can see the fun in it, while other teachers don’t enjoy having their classes interrupted.

Mr. Lee has been doing this for five or six years and sold about 100 saxygrams last year. This year they’re playing six songs: “Careless Whisper” by George Michael, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley, “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley, “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel, “In My Feelings” by Drake and the Mii Channel theme from the Nintendo Wii.

“I really like seeing the look on people’s faces when they receive them,” said junior Lizz Vargas.