The men and women in two prestigious a cappella groups auditioned because of their passion for singing. Along the way, they formed close bonds and friendships they said they will remember all their lives.

Grains of Time, the men’s a cappella group, is comprised of seven men, six of whom will not return. Leaving the group are James Wallace, Mike Adelman, Zach Barfield, Nathaniel Harris, Mack Hedrick and Carson Swanek. Carson Swanek is the only returning member.

Many of the members joined the group because they had heard earlier ensembles of Grains of Time perform.

“I had been aware of the Grains in high school. As soon as I decided to go to State, I aspired to join the Grains, though I knew my chances of achieving that honor were slim,” David Brown, a junior in computer engineering, said.

Other group members, such as Carson Swanek, a junior in nuclear engineering, heard the group perform and were hooked.

“I heard the group perform during an open house. I had sung throughout high school, so joining was a logical choice,” he said.

Most of the current Grains auditioned for the group and made it. Some, however, did not make it the first time, but passion led them to audition again.

“I auditioned for concert choir because I knew that I wanted to at least try to get into the group. I auditioned for Grains of Time in the fall and didn’t make it, but I was still obsessed. I auditioned again in the spring, and found out that I made it as a member in training,” Brown said.

The members said they enjoy being part of the Grains of Time because they get to do what they love: sing. And they get to sing with their best friends.

“The best part about being in the group is the guys and the music. The Grains happen to be my best friends, and music provides the creative outlet that has functioned as a stress reliever throughout my college education,” Nathaniel Harris, a senior in philosophy, said.

Industrial engineering senior Mack Hedrick said he also had lasting impressions from his time with the group.

“I have developed special relationships with each of these guys. They are like my brothers, and when I leave this institution, some of my fondest memories will be of our time together,” Hedrick said.

The six men who are leaving the group said they are sad, but will always remember the impact Grains of Time had on them.

“I’m very sad. This organization has been of the utmost importance to me for the past three years,” James Wallace, a senior in history, said.

Hedrick said he, too, is sad to leave, but he is happy he and his friends have done well.

“I’m glad to see my friends succeeding academically and moving on to bigger things. I am also excited to see the new Grains develop. They have a lot of talent and potential,” he said.

The Grains of Time will perform its Annual Spring Concert in Stewart Theatre on Mar. 24 at 8 p.m. The six new members of the group will be showcased at this performance.

Ladies in Red is N.C. State’s premiere, female a cappella group. It sings a variety of music from contemporary tunes and Broadway to classic rock.

The eight group members consist of Brittany Berry, Lindsey Bryant, Kate Fisher, Candice Gilliland, Emily Gordon, Laura Herring, Laura Little and Rachel Searles.

Ladies in Red, like Grains of Time, is a unique group in which the members have to be in a choir to be in the group.

“It’s good for the group because it ensures that everyone has vocal training and can read music. It helps a lot because no one gets left behind,” Brittany Berry, a junior in engineering, said.

Many of the Ladies joined the group because they had heard the previous Ladies in Red perform.

“I had heard the group before and wanted to be a part of it. Also, I love to sing and I look good in red,” applied mathematics sophomore Emily Gordon said.

Other Ladies joined the group because it seemed like the logical thing to do.

“I sang all through high school and loved it. From the time that I was really young, I liked listening to songs that were done a cappella and I think my low alto voice is pretty well suited for it,” Rachel Searles, a senior in architecture said.

The Ladies in Red held its spring concert on Mar. 17 in Stewart Theatre. The group prepared with multiple rehearsals, and conducted a few of its rituals.

“Before performances, we usually go eat together, chug water bottles and suck on cough drops. We keep each other loose and calm so we don’t get nervous,” Berry said.

The rehearsals became longer as the Ladies prepare for a performance.

“Our official rehearsals are two hours long on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, but before gigs and concerts, we sometimes schedule extra rehearsals to prepare,” Searles said.

The Ladies has found some of its best friends within the group.

“I consider every one of these girls to be like a sister to me,” Berry said.

In the upcoming weeks, the Ladies in Red will be recording an album — the group’s first since 1999.