Ohio University's Singing Men of Ohio hit a high note Thursday with an appearance on NBC's The Today Show.
The Singing Men arrived at Rockefeller Plaza at 6 a.m. and began singing the alma mater and a version of Coney Island Baby that referenced the show's anchors. After hearing the songs, the producers approached them about singing on the show.
It was so exciting to be on The Today Show
said senior Andrew Barton. It was a really unique experience.
The members were able to interact with the anchors, including OU alumnus Matt Lauer.
Matt was excited to see us and asked us about Athens said Brooks Jarosz, a senior studying broadcast journalism.
When they were not performing, the Singing Men spent their free time in New York City seeing shows, shopping or visiting Ground Zero. Some even said they saw actor Danny DeVito.
It was a really rewarding experience for me said senior Nick Campagna, adding the Singing Men planned to tour New York last year but were unable to raise enough money.
The Singing Men used donations and collected money from members to pay for the cost of the tour, about $13,000, said Robert Leary, a senior and treasurer of Student Senate.
President Roderick McDavis' office also donated an estimated $5,000 for the cost of travel in return for the group's promotion OU abroad.
We especially appreciate being able to represent Ohio University
said Peter Jarjisian, director of Choral Studies.
The Singing Men also traveled to Cleveland, Boston, Pittsburgh and Buffalo during their tour.
Jarjisian said the most meaningful part of the trip, for him, was in Boston when the Singing Men took pictures and sang the alma mater next to the plaque commemorating Bunch of Grapes Tavern, where OU co-founders Rufus Putnam and Manasseh Cutler met to discuss the settlement of the Northwest Territory.
I would not want to spend spring break any other way
Leary said.
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Culture
Caitlin Bowling
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The Singing Men of Ohio sang on The Today Show Thursday during their tour and interacted with NBC
