A night full of music filled Whitley Auditorium as Smooth Progressions performed its 10th Anniversary Spring Concert on April 29. The a cappella group invited its alumni back to Elon to celebrate and to perform with them on stage. President of Smooth Progressions and sophomore Nick Edge says the group is unique compared to other a cappella groups on campus — a quality that heavily influences performances like this one.
“We're very open to everybody, very accepting,” Edge said. “We love to spend as much time with the community as possible. Along with that we have almost this brotherhood that is created when we all come together.”
Elon University freshman Thomas Radford says how joining Smooth Progressions helped his physical and mental health.
“Being a part of a group of people that I can call family; it’s truly an experience that I never thought I would have in my college experience itself,” Radford said. “It’s just really special.”
The last song Smooth Progressions performed at the concert was the song “Forget You” by CeeLo Green. Vice President of Smooth Progressions and senior Kyle Borgna said the song holds a special place in the group’s history.
“That was the first song our group ever performed at Elon,” Borgna said. “So it's a real full circle moment.”
One song that was an audience favorite was “All Time Low” by Jon Bellion. This song in particular had fun choreography where you got to experience individual personalities.
Freshman Jackson Weber said he was looking forward to meeting the alumni for the first time, even though he hasn’t been in the group as long as his peers.
“While I don’t know any of the alumni, I’m very excited to meet the people who made Smooth Progressions what it is today.” Weber said.
Weber said joining an a cappella group positively impacted his transition into his freshman year.
“I wasn’t involved in Smooth Progressions during the fall semester, but this semester has definitely been a step up for me,” Weber said. “I’ve been singing my whole life so it’s something that is very near and dear to my heart, and it’s a part of my life that was lacking the first semester. So I’m really happy that I was able to find that with Smooth Progressions.”
With the 10th anniversary concert serving as his final show with the group, Borgna said he will miss being a part of Smooth Progressions.
“I’m going to miss Smo Pro a lot,” Borgna said. “It really made up my last four years of college so it’s going to be a hard goodbye but a very happy concert.”
Smooth Progressions along with the university’s six other a cappella groups will be holding auditions again in the fall.