Picture this: A woman is at work when a violinist enters, hands her a card from her boyfriend, then plays love songs to her.

For most people, scenes like this don’t happen outside of the movies. But as Valentine’s Day approaches, some romantically inclined music education majors at UW-Eau Claire are changing that.

Members of the American String Teachers Association are preparing for “Strolling Strings,” a fund-raiser in which students can purchase a serenade for a lover or friend, said senior Megan Maloney, the group’s president and a violinist.

For $5, a musician playing a violin, viola or cello will go to a person’s house, job, dorm or wherever needed to play anywhere from one to four songs of love or friendship.

Some of the songs to be offered this year still have not been selected, but most likely will include “You Are My Sunshine” and “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic,” said junior Loni Schiel. Schiel is ASTA’s secretary and a cellist.

“Most people are really surprised, and usually they totally love it,” Maloney said.

The most fun last year, she said, was to serenade someone who was at work or having dinner at home.

This is the second year of “Strolling Strings.” Schiel didn’t go on any serenades last year because of the limitations of her instrument.

“It’s kind of hard to stroll with my cello,” she said.

The musicians are willing to go almost anyplace, even the McIntire Library, but they won’t go to a class, Maloney said, unless they have permission from the instructor.

Last year, the Strolling Strings played between 20 and 25 serenades, but Maloney said she hopes to sell more this year.

ASTA will sell serenades from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Tuesday in Davies Center. They’ll be located either by Burger King or the bookstore.

A serenade costs $5 per song or $7.50 with a rose. Scheduled times for serenades will be 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14, but daytime serenades also can be requested.