UTMC meets a capella

When conjuring the image of a medical student, the picture that comes to mind typically consists of thick books, busy hours, and extreme dedication. While these characteristics may be predominantly true, there’s a side to a group of UT med students that you haven’t seen.

Docapella is a small organization consisting of male medical students on the health science campus who (you guessed it) sing a capella. Founded roughly ten years ago, the humbly-sized bunch of men are either doctoral candidates or doctors who meet just once a week for about two hours.

Sean Figy, a member of Docapella and UT medical student, describes this rare combination of smarts and musical talent as “just a lot of fun.” While Figy has the large homework load that one might expect someone in his hopeful career field to have plus 40 to 80 hours of work a week, he still finds the time to sing. “If we didn’t have fun we wouldn’t do it, because our time is so valuable,” Figy said.

The group isn’t “super organized,” but their purpose isn’t necessarily to be the best, but rather to have fun and de-stress.

As one might imagine, the life of a student working towards such a lofty career is one of anxiety and mental pressure, but given the right activity, this stress can be at least somewhat relieved. Because medical school takes up such an extensive amount of time and attention for these vocalists, it’s important for them to simply relax. Doing so with others of similar interests and aspirations allows for the formation of strong bonds as well as lasting friendships.

For Figy, it’s been helpful to have the group as a support network. A Massachusetts native, he came to Toledo as a stranger to the area and everyone in it. However, Docapella provided him with a “really good brotherhood” that he could connect to. He conveys that “you meet people you wouldn’t necessarily hang out with,” which could very well be helpful for personal growth as well as networking purposes.

Generally speaking, a brotherhood may be construed as a cluster of bulky football players smacking their helmets together in a mildly frightening rush of adrenaline. This brotherhood on the other hand, does not fall into this particular category of stereotypical athleticism.

Not only do these “brothers” of Docapella sing, but a select few are musically inclined in other areas as well, including playing piano and arranging the music that is to be sung at their concerts.

In fact, “it’s important to note that music we sing is arranged by members of the group,” said Figy.

While some of the songs performed are sung in their original state, a “good chunk,” of them are broken into parts and arranged, making this bunch of scholarly voices all the more talented.

The men perform two concerts a year, the first being within the first or second week of December, and the second in late April or early May. For other bookings, such as singing the National Anthem at sporting events, or performing at alumni functions, the dress code is simply smile-worthy. Full scrubs are worn, which may be one of the most endearing aspects of this group.

In addition, their good taste is proven in the assorted song selection. “Wonderful Tonight” and “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” are just two samples of their highly varied lyrical preferences. Clearly, the aim is set on fun and friendship, which is a combination that usually amounts to the most enjoyable performances.

Members come from both singing and non-singing backgrounds, but that doesn’t seem to make a difference. This brotherhood is one that is not only a fairly unheard of endeavor, but also an enormous benefit to those involved and a pleasure to their audiences.

Figy reiterates this idea when he says that Docapella is “a very unique experience that I’m very thankful to have had.”

If the clever name alone doesn’t surmise at least a small amount of intrigue, the idea of such a simple yet ear-pleasing form of enjoyment certainly should. There is something intrinsically charming about a med student or doctor with a voice. This being said, Docapella has all the charm it needs.