The Spring Concert and 40th anniversary show of all-male a cappella group Grains of Time was held in Stewart Theater at 8 p.m. Saturday night. The addition of former Grains members from 1969, the year of inception, up to the current lineup led to the Grains’ first sold-out concert.

Prior to the show, the lobby was packed with people trying to pick up or buy tickets, as other audience members steadily streamed into the theater. A CD of various songs by the Grains played in the background, and the Grains logo, a lowercase “g” with a clock inside of the larger loop, was projected onto the stage curtains.

The current Grains took the stage wearing jeans, blazers and ties. They warmed up the audience with a few songs, vacillating between new hits and old favorites. Two songs included Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around” and “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King.  

Incarnations of the Grains included the original line-up from 1969, the early-to-mid 1990s groups, the late 1990s group, the 2000 octet, and the 2006 singers as well as the current members. Most performances yielded a standing ovation from the audience, and audience members seemed to be familiar with certain songs.

Each group of former Grains appeared to relish performing again, feeling comfortable enough to joke with each other, leading to some moments of improvisation and hilarity. 

The night was not without its poignant moments. In the first act, the memory of former women’s basketball coach Kay Yow was honored since she had always said that her favorite musical group overall was the Grains. The current Grains then said they would always leave one seat open at every performance in her memory. A bouquet of roses, three red and three pink, as well as a pink jersey emblazoned with her name were then draped across a seat in the center section of the audience. The move prompted a sustained standing ovation.  

The various incarnations of the Grains truly showed the evolution of the group. The founding group from 1969 played guitars before the group became truly a cappella in the late 1980s, and the 2006 group was credited for introducing vocal percussion into performances.

At the end of the first and second acts, all Grains, past and present, performed a couple songs as a large group. There was also a performance off the Grains’ latest CD titled “Goin’ Down Singin’,” which included the vocal percussion.

The program closed with all Grains singing the N.C. State alma mater.

Jonathan Rand, a senior in English and current Grains member, said a lot of planning went into the night’s performance.

“The whole thing took about a year to organize, with sending out invitations and logistics,” Rand said. “We rehearsed with the former Grains for about two days. The groups from the 90s rehearsed by themselves, and we performed pieces that everyone knew.”

Members of the current Grains have their own reasons as to why they sing within the group.

Rand knew he would try out for the Grains as soon as he came to N.C. State. His father had been in the Grains when he was in school.

Growing up, Rand sang in church as well as choir throughout middle and high school. 

“I became a singer by birthright,” Rand said.

Rand and his father were noted to be the first Grain legacy during the performance on Saturday.

Member Brad Wood, a junior in textile engineering, said that he started singing in his church choir with his mother’s encouragement.

“She figured that I would be into it,” Wood said.

Wood then discovered that he had a knack for music.

“I sang throughout middle school and high school, and I really found a love for it,” Wood said.

Wood did not know about the Grains when he arrived at the University. He found out about the group through a friend.

“I went to the Unity concert, which featured all a capella groups, and I thought that the Grains were really good. So I emailed people, trying to find some more information, and then auditioned and got in,” Wood said.   

Wood has been a member since spring 2006, and he said it has been a great experience for him.

“I’ve gotten to know the guys very well, and I’ve worked with some of the biggest talents musically,” Wood said.

But not every Grain grew up a singer.

Ryan Riddle, sophomore in aerospace engineering, came to sing with the Grains accidentally.

“I didn’t really sing, I mostly played drums and beatboxed,” Riddle said.

Riddle said that a girl from his dorm had heard him beatbox and suggested that he try out for the Grains, since they needed a beatboxer.

“I just beatboxed to annoy my parents, but I guess it payed off,” Riddle said.

Riddle said his family is not musically inclined, although he himself plays drums and guitar.

Riddle said that he is making headway with his singing, wishing that he will one day be able to belt out a tune.

“I really want a solo, to prove that I can really sing,” Riddle said.

As for future projects, Wood has some ideas.

“We’ll probably be coming out with a CD next year,” Wood said.