If you have ever seen a group of students do a flash mob on Grand Valley State University’s campus, then you’ve experienced Euphoria.

Euphoria, Grand Valley State University’s first co-ed a cappella group, is currently celebrating its five-year anniversary. One of four student-run a cappella groups on campus, and the members arrange all the music they perform and compete in tournaments and competitions throughout the year.

“This being our fifth-year anniversary, we wanted to do something new,” said Aaron Vince, president of Euphoria. “A benefit concert has been talked about and ideated for years, but has never come to fruition.”

Emily Tascone, a GVSU junior, is one of the leading organizers of the benefit concert and said with the talent they had in Euphoria, they felt in necessary to put it to good use.

“We are a talented group of singers with something to offer,” Tascone said. “Ultimately, we decided that it was time for us to use our musical gifts to benefit others.”

Originally the concert was going to raise money for GVSU senior Jacob Bouwman, who was diagnosed with cancer last semester, but after Bouwman was declared cancer-free, they began searching for a new cause.

“We considered revamping the concert to be a celebration of his health, but later decided to switch to a more recognizable and accessible campaign,” Vince said.

Euphoria chose to team up with Relay for Life because they felt like the money they were raising was going to not only a great cause, but a similar one.

The benefit concert is a variety show with many performers and types of music.

“We function similarly to a family; we argue, make up, complain, conspire, play, laugh and make music in an effort to experience Euphoria together,” Tascone said.

Thomas Vacanti, the vice president of Euphoria, agreed that the group feels more like family than just a group of fellow singers.

“I thought the benefit concert would be a great way to involve our group in something bigger than ourselves,” Vacanti said. “Music has given so much to me and every other member in this group, and I wanted to be able to give something back in return.”

The event takes place in Cook DeWitt tonight at 9 p.m. Money raised by the suggested $5 admissions fee, open donations and a 50/50 raffle will go directly to Relay for Life.

“This concert is about the community collaborating to create a front-line of swords and shields so that together we can honor the lives of soldiers lost and win the battle for the wounded,” Tascone said.

For more information visit www.euphoriagvsu.com

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