IU musical group releases CD

Most of Bloomington has probably heard of Straight No Chaser, but many may not have seen the group perform. Those not familiar with the group's work will get their chance Saturday at the IU Auditorium, where SNC will perform its spring CD release concert at 8 p.m.\nThe new CD, "Thank You," can be purchased at the IU Auditorium after the concert Saturday, as well as from TIS Music, Borders, Karma, the IU Alumni Center gift shop and soon via SNC's Web site, www.sncproductions.com.\nThere's something different about SNC that sets it apart from typical oompa pa-ing barbershop quartets. For example, the group's sound is distinctly different. It may be because its large numbers -- nine in all -- allow the group to perform more advanced harmonies.\n"A lot of times, we have songs that call for more than four parts," junior member Pat Schuette said.\nAnd while SNC consists of nine members, only six major in voice.\n"We have guys majoring in vocal performance, telecommunications, business, theater, computer science and a couple others," junior member Ryan Ahlwardt said. "People are often surprised to find out we're not all music majors."\nThe audition process all potential members endure is extensive. Ahlwardt said the process involves several steps.\n"There are two days of initial auditions where prospective members sing any type of song they want for us," Ahlwardt said. "We test their range a bit, as well as their pitch-matching skills. If they make callbacks, there is an interview each guy goes through."\nWith the popularity of the group, Ahlwardt said there is always a big turnout for auditions.\n"This past January we had approximately 30 guys show up, but we've had 50 to 60 in years past," he said.\nSNC only takes a few new members each year, leading to fierce competition for the few available spots.\n"Usually, we take between zero and five, depending on voice parts we need and the talent that auditions," junior member James Neff said.\nNeff remembers his own audition well. \n"It was long," he said. "Callbacks were all day learning SNC songs and trying to blend and perform with the group."\nBut for those who make it, that effort is rewarded right away.\n"I found out I had made the group around 6 p.m. that day, and then there was a huge new member party for us," sophomore member Jermaine Miles said. "It was great."\nMiles was motivated to audition by his love of performing. He said he thought joining Straight No Chaser would be the perfect way for him to gain performing experience.\n"I've been performing since I was very young, and it's what I want to do with my life," he said. "We are able to perform at least once a week, which is something you normally don't get. It's really great for us to be able to do that a lot. I need as much experience as I can get."\nSNC isn't picky when it comes to taking performance offers. The members said they are willing to perform almost anywhere at almost anytime.\n"We've sung for any type of show you can think of," Ahlwardt said. "There's really nothing we won't sing for."\nThat ranges from church events to sorority dinners to basketball games -- a wide variety of gigs and a lot of exposure both locally and around the country.\n"Since we're sponsored by the IU Alumni Association, we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to perform for IU alumni clubs all over the country," Ahlwardt said.\nWith their extensive performance schedule, the members of Straight No Chaser have many opportunities to travel and experience different places. Miles lists traveling as one of his favorite aspects of SNC.\n"We usually manage to have a good time wherever we are," he said.\nSchuette appreciates the opportunity to meet SNC supporters from all over the state.\n"It's nice, because we get to meet a large group of fans -- whether from this area or from around the state," he said.\nThis Saturday SNC will perform 23 to 25 songs, including crowd favorites such as "Africa," "Insomniac" and "Return to Pooh Corner," as well as a few recent additions.\n"We're throwing in some surprises -- recent repertoire with some R&B and pop influences that we hope will appeal to our college-aged fans," Ahlwardt said.\nSome of these pieces are included on SNC's newest album, which will be released at the concert Saturday.\n"The new CD is entitled "Thank You" and serves to show our fans how much we've appreciated their support over the five years that SNC has been at IU," Ahlwardt said. "We have many different genres of music on it, including pop, funk, rock, R&B and alternative. I'm really excited to receive our fans' responses to the album."\nSenior member Michael Seidenstein said he also thinks highly of the CD, which has taken more than 100 hours to record.\n"I feel like it is a CD that you can listen to all the way through and not find a bad track on it," he said.\nWith the season coming to a close, SNC members reflect on what being a part of the group has contributed to their time spent at IU.\n"When I tried out, I didn't know much about the group," Schuette said. "But it really ended up changing my college career around. I just know that college would have been a lot different for me without it."\nAhlwardt said SNC has made an impression on his college career, too.\n"SNC has definitely made my college experience," he said. "The memories and friendships I have made will last a lifetime"