Off The Beat

ryan mclaughlin

Voice Part: tenor & baritone

Class: 2022

Major: HSOC (health and societies) & Creative Writing

Solos: lovely (Billie Eilish & khalid), Red Desert (5 Seconds of Summer), I Don’t Care (Fall Out Boy)

Position: Publicity Manager (2021), Social Chair (2020)

I first met Ryan in the third round of OTB callback auditions. I was terrified. You see, despite his outwardly mild-mannered appearance, from the moment I realized Ryan was in fact a fellow tenor auditionee and not already a member of the group (yes, he’s that charismatic), I was certain I was screwed. How could I—a timid freshman—possibly expect to hold my own as an auditionee compared to this sceney sophomore? Fear quickly turned to aggression as the social portion of the evening ended and Alkal led Ryan and me to a back room to learn ‘So Cold’. I attempted to assert my singing dominance, but try as I might, it was futile. Alas, Ryan too was a competent singer! I was crestfallen, defeated, certain that this sociable alpha male would be OTB’s newest tenor while I would be forced to join the Pennchants. But—ladies and gentlemen—a small miracle occurred that day. As it turned out, Off The Beat needed not one, not two, but three tenors that fall, and we both made the cut. And thus, a beautiful friendship born out of rivalry was formed between Ryan and me. In all seriousness, though, Ryan is one of the most incredible people I have ever met, and I’m sure that everyone in this group would agree with me when I say that I feel infinitely grateful to have sang next to Ryan during our time together in OTB.