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Otto Tunes’ Cockapella concert to benefit Testicular Cancer Fund

Members of Otto Tunes think they have the balls to outdo themselves.

Otto Tunes, a Syracuse University all-male a cappella group, will host its second annual Cockappella fundraiser for testicular cancer on Saturday. The concert will be held in Hendricks Chapel with a suggested $5 donation at the door. The group wants to bring awareness to an issue that is relevant to young men like themselves.

“We all have the same statistic working against us so we figured let’s all work together to fight back,” said TJ Wells, the public relations director for Otto Tunes and a sophomore advertising major.

The group has partnered with the Testicular Cancer Foundation in hopes of encouraging men on campus to get checked regularly. Otto Tunes group members predict this year’s Cockappella will top last year’s event. The group raised $1,500 in 2013 but hopes to surpass $2,000 this year.

“It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but the TCF does a really good job at taking a lighthearted way to go about it, and that is what we are trying to do too,” said senior Jeff Kurkjian, a founder of Otto Tunes and a double major in broadcast and digital journalism and political science.



The members of Otto Tunes are also taking an upbeat approach to raising money. If this year’s goal of $2,000 is met, Kurkjian has volunteered to wax his chest and legs on video.

Otto Tunes has invited a number of other all-male a cappella groups to perform at the event and draw attention to it. SU’s Orange Appeal will perform alongside The Buffalo Chips from University at Buffalo, The State University of New York and the Guerillas from State University of New York at Fredonia.

Otto Tunes is also raising money by holding a raffle on the night of the event and an online fundraiser until the date of the show for those who are unable attend but still want to donate.

Wells said he was ecstatic when the fundraiser raised $660 within 24 hours of opening. He attributes much of the group’s fundraising success to its strong fan base and social media presence.

While having a large following is helpful, Kurkijan emphasizes the importance of keeping the group concentrated on the purpose of Cockappella.

“It’s easy to get carried away with our influence because we’re very exciting and well-known these days. It’s easy to want to get a giant bouncy house, but then how are we really going to focus on what’s important?” Kurkijan said. “This fundraiser encompasses our mission, and that’s to grow awareness through our social media use and donations.”

Kurkijan also emphasized the importance of having fun with the event. Some of the group’s favorite memories from last year’s Cockappella were performing “Stacy’s Mom” for the show’s opening and auctioning off group members for dates during intermission.

Otto Tunes also had an “a cappella-off” against Orange Appeal in the balconies of Hendrick’s Chapel to start off the second half of the show.

This year, Otto Tunes plans to perform songs from all genres and time periods. Wells said the group is especially excited to perform songs by Frank Sinatra and Sam Smith. Wells added that Ottos Tunes has put a lot of time into preparing for Cockappella, creating committees for all aspects of the event such as decoration, cleanup and the raffle.

Similarly, in the group’s performance, every member of Otto Tunes contributes to the success of the event, Kurkijan said.

“Without one member of the group, the sound isn’t the same, and without one member in the group, the event won’t be the same,” Kurkijan said. “We want every member to have a different influence on Cockappella.”

Otto Tunes also has scheduled additional rehearsals as the event draws closer. Despite the stress and hard work of preparing for Cockappella, the group is dedicated and excited for the event, Kurkijan said.

Jesse Scheinbart, a freshman music industry and business major, said he has had a good experience preparing for Cockappella as a new member of Otto Tunes. For Scheinbart, the event means more than putting on a good show.

“It’s nice to come to rehearsals and feel like you’re working towards something greater than just making music,” Schneibart said. “We are opening our audience’s eyes to what’s going on in the world through music and through a fun event, too.”





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