Another Round was originally named Straight No Chaser. After a YouTube video went viral in 2008, the original members of Straight No Chaser signed with Atlantic Records. To keep the professional and collegiate groups separate, the on-campus group changed its name, according to anotherroundiu.com.
The group rehearses four to five times a week and they have two major performances a year — one in the winter and one in the spring.
“Another Round was a big reason why I came to IU,” said Jake Forrestal, the current music director of the group.
Growing from a timid freshman to a sophomore arranger of music for the group, Forrestal holds many jobs such as promoting concerts, managing the music and running the group.
“It’s a crazy job sometimes, but it’s very rewarding,” Forrestal said. “My favorite part has always been singing for people. It’s something that I never take for granted. I love putting smiles on people’s faces.”
After starting with the national anthem, the group sang a classic by the Backstreet Boys called “As Long As You Love Me.” Following this song, they each gave their own introduction.
One member of the group shared that he was wearing a woman’s shirt that he picked up from the dry cleaners that day, and the crowd laughed.
Along with the music director, the seniors of the group are natural leaders, including Jonny Trubshaw, a former music director himself, Forrestal said.
“One of my favorite parts is seeing how the group changes every year,” ?Trubshaw said.
With new guys coming in every year and older ones graduating, there is a different dynamic each year, but the same overall feel that Another Round embodies, Trubshaw said.
He said he likes to see how the new members affect the group and how the group changes them as well. He said he enjoys the close comradery with the guys from year to year.
“It’s been a great source of a lot of great friendships,” Trubshaw said.
The guys in the group go out together, play video games and even throw ?parties.
“It’s almost like a mini fraternity that just happens to sing and travel around,” Trubshaw said.
Trubshaw said one of his favorite memories was when the group flew to Colorado for a weekend to sing at a casino. It was the first performance for the freshmen in the group, and Trubshaw enjoyed this show the most.
Trubshaw will be going to Nashville, Tenn., next year to pursue singing and songwriting, according to the performance program. Trubshaw said he’ll miss the guys, the rehearsals and the performances the most. The rehearsals were a good time in the day to decompress and be with friends, ?Trubshaw said.
“It’s a very unique performance experience doing a cappella,” Trubshaw said.
He has performed in bands with instruments before, but he said that a cappella is a different challenge using just the voice.
Thursday’s show included hits such as “Follow Me” by Uncle Kracker and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from “The Lion King.” Before the song, they made animal noises into their mics and danced with hand motions that made the audience laugh.
Sophomore Clara Whetstine attended the show.
“They came to promote (the show) at my sorority. I heard about it through there but I’ve always loved a cappella,” Whetstine said.
As for Forrestal, he will be back with the group again next year, and they will also be traveling to Colorado once again.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing to learn and progress with the group,” Forrestal said.
