Students gathered in Whitley Auditorium to hear performances by Elon's a cappella groups and support a good cause Oct. 27. Push the Music, organized by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, raised money for its national philanthropy, Push America.

Push America was founded by Pi Kappa Phi's national organization in the 1970s and helps those with disabilities through education, support and awareness, according Push America's website.

"We do projects for the community, in a few weeks we are building a handicap ramp," said Pi Kappa Phi secretary Michael Gaytan. "We also have local meetings every week, we go play basketball with local high school students. It's a lot of fun."

Students paid a $5 entrance fee at Push the Music. The proceeds will be donated to Push America.

Sweet Signatures, one of Elon's female a cappella groups, opened with "Dream On" by Aerosmith, followed with "Parachute" by Cheryl Cole. The group concluded its performance with the song "Wally" by Aslyn.

The next group to perform was Elon's only all-male a cappella group, Rip_Chord. It began with a mash-up of "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by The Temptations. Next, the men switched to a more soulful style with gospel song "Nothing But the Water (I)" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. The group concluded the performance with the song "It Girl" by Jason Derulo, led by freshman CJ Moore.

Last  to perform was co-ed group Twisted Measure, which first crooned   "Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele, and then sang "Slumber," by Needtobreathe. Twisted Measure ended the evening with a powerful rendition of "All These Things That I've Done" by The Killers.

"I can't decide which performance was my favorite," said freshman Maddie Hooper. "I'm torn between 'It Girl' and 'Set Fire to the Rain.' I thought all three groups did a great job, though, and really connected with the audience."

Gaytan said he was proud of the way the event turned out.

"I think tonight went very well we had a great crowd and excellent performances," he said. "We raised a good amount of money too."

Gaytan said there will be further fundraisers during the rest of the year, and the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi will continue to do community service for those with disabilities.

"We host one event for Push America each month and have some of our largest events in the spring," said Jon Bolstridge, Pi Kappa Phi philanthropy chair.

Gaytan said these events will include a sorority football league and an empathy spaghetti dinner.