Complete with free T-shirts and pizza, a crowd of people gathered on Humanities Plaza Friday, Feb. 5, to hear the Charity Concert Committee announce Ben Folds and a piano as the band for the second annual benefit concert in April.

The goal of the Charity Concert Committee is to put on a concert at the end of the school year with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. The organization was formed last year after David Mattingly and a few friends from CAB, SGA and Colleges Against Cancer wanted to bring a concert to the university.

The committee has 12 dedicated members who are focused on bringing in a concert for a good cause.

"After we announced it, I kept hearing people talking about it," Andrea Graham, co-president of CCC said. "We really lucked out and people are excited about it. We couldn't believe it when we found out."

In simplified terms, the committee finds an agent who will provide a list of bands within a certain price range. After the committee decides on a band, their agent gets in touch with the band's agent. The band's manager then discusses the opportunity with the band. It is through this process that Ben Folds and a piano confirmed a concert on campus, Mattingly said.

The CCC's agent gave them a list of available bands within their price range. Ben Folds and a piano was their first choice and cost between $30,000 and $40,000.

Last year, Guster played for the benefit concert and the UD band "The Jaywalkers" opened the show. Over $10,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society. The committee hopes that with this year's band, matching that amount will not be a problem.

The organization plans on having another Battle of the Bands March 26 with the winner opening for Ben Folds and a piano. Auditions will be Feb. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. in ArtStreet studio A.

In addition to the spring concert, CCC has other events around campus so students can recognize who they are and share their support. On Feb. 20, there will be a cardboard boat competition at the RecPlex pool. Each team has to design a boat out of cardboard that has to hold one person as they float in the water.

"We want people to know about us," Graham said. "We need students' support and then we can bring a great concert."

Several of CCC's members are also teamed with Relay for Life. Through the past three years, Relay for Life has raised over $220,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year, the goal lies at $76,000 with at least 65 teams, according to Alec Dorn, president of Colleges Against Cancer, which puts on Relay for Life.

Relay for Life focuses on raising money for and educating students about those struggling with cancer. UD has shown its dedication to Relay for Life as it was recognized as a Leader of Hope, an acknowledgement that only 37 colleges in the nation received.

Relay for Life is April 10 and 11 at ArtStreet; visit http://www.relayforlife.org/udayton to sign up. Ben Folds and a piano will be playing at the UD Arena April 18. Ticket sales have not yet been finalized, but visit the Charity Concert Committee's Facebook page or their Web site at relayconcert.udayton.edu for updates.