Otto Tunes’ “brotherhood” creates space for support

Wearing their signature orange pants, Otto Tunes members shuffled into a Crouse Hall classroom for rehearsal. They quickly rearranged chairs into their familiar formation, a few carrying “Star Wars” lightsabers with them.

Otto Tunes, a on-campus, all-men a capella group, returned from the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella central quarterfinals two weeks ago after placing third. The result meant they wouldn’t advance to semifinals. However, Logan Wagner, a senior and the group’s president, said that he was proud regardless. 

“The fact that everyone came off the stage and could tell themselves that that was the best that they had ever performed, as a leader you cannot ask for anything more than that,” he said.

Throughout his four years as Otto Tunes, Wagner said he prioritized creating a welcoming, fun environment just as much as musical excellence. 

The club practices two times a week, meaning all 15 members spend a lot of time together. Sometimes that can mean stressful practices where everyone is concerned about improvement. Other times that can mean lightsaber battles or staying late to make TikTok videos. 

Despite losing in the ICCAs, Wagner said Otto Tunes is determined to keep momentum going for the rest of the semester. They have several plans including a university-wide riff-off against other a cappella groups over the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend. 

“There’s really never a dull moment in this group. You’re always building towards something,” Wagner said. “There’s always a ‘Okay, what’s next?’”

Freshman Grant LaMartina said coming off the stage of the ICCA’s, with everyone sprinting to get to a group hug, captured the culture of Otto Tunes. Everyone was proud of the performance, he said, regardless of the results.

In high school, LaMartina split his time between sports and music. He said he often felt pressure to present different personalities depending on the setting. After joining Otto Tunes, he said he no longer felt that divide and could be authentically himself.  

LaMartina had planned to rush a fraternity this spring but decided against it after forming close relationships within the group.

“I’ve come to appreciate the brotherhood that I’ve already formed, and started to find that I don’t need to look elsewhere for a bond that I already have,” LaMartina said. 

Wagner said competition season can bring stress since everyone wants to perform well. One way the group aims to resolve tension is by holding hands in a circle after every practice. This gives members the chance to apologize for being picky about choreography or confess their concerns. 

Rowan Mastrangelo, junior and the Otto Tunes business manager, said holding hands for announcements was just one way members show how much they care. LaMartina said he originally thought the ritual was a joke for freshmen. However, he came to appreciate the opportunity to bond with other members.

As an all-men ensemble, he said Otto Tunes has given him the opportunity to make positive male friendships. He said he values being part of a group of college men who are open, self-aware and comfortable with vulnerability.

At the end of each semester, members participate in a “rose, bud, thorn” reflection. Here they share a highlight, a challenge and something they’re looking forward to. During his first semester, Mastrangelo cried while sharing his own “thorn.” 

He said the level of support he received from other members after he broke down reinforced his sense of belonging. This act of brotherhood confirmed why he’d wanted to join Otto Tunes.

“I’d never been a part of a group, let alone a group of just guys who sat around and you get unlimited time to talk about what’s holding you down, and there’s no judgment,” Mastrangelo said. “It’s just support.”

Photo by Kate Jackson

After turning off the classroom lights, Dylan Adamczyk (left) and Jack Elliott (right) spar with lightsabers following rehearsal in Crouse Hall.

Senior Dylan Adamczyk said the other members have become some of his best friends and he’s sure they’ll all be invited to his wedding. His house, where he lives with four other members, is always open for movie nights, friendsgiving, extra rehearsal or whatever else people need. 

Although Adamcyk and Wagner are both seniors, they’re not planning on leaving Otto Tunes anytime soon. In addition to alumni performances each semester, they said they will continue supporting underclassmen and carry the lessons they’ve learned into life after graduation.

A capella can sometimes be considered “corny,” Wagner said, especially when people see 15 guys walk by in bright orange pants, but he embraces it. Adamczyk agreed that what matters most is making music with friends and sharing it with others.

“This is something that we are all passionate about. If somebody decides to give that lesser value, then that’s their decision,” Adamcyk said.

Mastrangelo plans to run for president next year. He intends to continue focusing on people’s enjoyment, alongside musical excellence. 

He said he’s learned through the club that “vulnerability is strength,” whether that’s sharing a creative idea or admitting you don’t know something. This lesson is one he plans to continue to pass on to future members of Otto Tunes.