University of California Men's Octet
Encyclopedia
The UC Men’s Octet, sometimes termed the Cal Men’s Octet or the UC Berkeley Men’s Octet, is an eight-member male a cappella group at the University of California, Berkeley
. Founded in 1948, the group’s broad repertoire features several genres of music including barbershop, doo-wop, pop and alternative, and a healthy dose of Berkeley fight songs. The Octet has recorded over a dozen albums and is one of only two multiple-time champions of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
(ICCA)--the other being USC
's SoCal VoCals
--having won the competition in both 1998 and 2000.
While the Octet performs regularly around the San Francisco Bay Area
for both alumni and the public, the group has toured all around the world including China, Australia, Europe and extensively throughout the United States. They also perform for Cal students every Wednesday during the academic year at one o’clock on Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza
.
The group hosts a series of annual concerts. In the Fall, there is the West Coast A Cappella Showcase , where several groups from all over the country are invited to perform at Berkeley. Past guest groups in this concert have included former ICCA Champions Brigham Young University’s Noteworthy and Vocal Point
as well as groups from Stanford
, UCLA, USC
, Mt. San Antonio College
, and the University of Oregon
. The group’s other annual concert performances include the UC Men’s Octet Spring Show and the year-end Unbuttoned Show .
' , Octogen, All Sing Blue And Gold, We Eight Too Much (1994), Eight is Enough (1993), Takin' the Joke too Far (1992), Better Eight Than Never (1990), Around the World in Eight Days, Eight Times the Fun, Octa-Brew, and The University of California Men’s Octet.
ICCA Results Records.
ICCA Results Records.
The Men’s Octet has also made several appearances in other media. From annual appearances on the San Francisco/San Jose radio station KFOG
to appearing on the WCAU News in Philadelphia , the Men’s Octet have been heard nationwide. The Octet has even recorded a public health service announcement with the California Department of Health Services entitled “Wash Your Hands” as part of the Immunization Branch’s campaign against the spread of the flu. The group also recorded a nationally aired radio commercial for Coors beer to promote "The Pigskin Can".
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Founded in 1948, the group’s broad repertoire features several genres of music including barbershop, doo-wop, pop and alternative, and a healthy dose of Berkeley fight songs. The Octet has recorded over a dozen albums and is one of only two multiple-time champions of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, originally the National Championship of Collegiate A Cappella , is an international competition that attracts hundreds of college a cappella groups each year...
(ICCA)--the other being USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
's SoCal VoCals
SoCal VoCals
The SoCal VoCals are the first of seven a cappella groups from the University of Southern California. Founded in 1996, this award-winning group comprises between 13 and 19 male and female students who arrange and sing songs from multiple genres, including pop, rock, and jazz...
--having won the competition in both 1998 and 2000.
While the Octet performs regularly around the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
for both alumni and the public, the group has toured all around the world including China, Australia, Europe and extensively throughout the United States. They also perform for Cal students every Wednesday during the academic year at one o’clock on Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza
Sproul Plaza
Sproul Plaza is a major center of student activity at the University of California, Berkeley. It is divided into two sections: Upper Sproul and Lower Sproul. They are separated by 12 vertical feet and a set of stairs.-History:...
.
The group hosts a series of annual concerts. In the Fall, there is the West Coast A Cappella Showcase , where several groups from all over the country are invited to perform at Berkeley. Past guest groups in this concert have included former ICCA Champions Brigham Young University’s Noteworthy and Vocal Point
Vocal Point
Vocal Point is a nine-member, male a cappella group at Brigham Young University. Founded by students in 1991, Vocal Point operates under the auspice of BYU’s School of Music....
as well as groups from Stanford
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, UCLA, USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, Mt. San Antonio College
Mt. San Antonio College
Mt. San Antonio College is a community college located in the Los Angeles suburb of Walnut, California, 2.12 miles west of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona ....
, and the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. The group’s other annual concert performances include the UC Men’s Octet Spring Show and the year-end Unbuttoned Show .
Octet albums
The UC Men’s Octet has recorded over a dozen albums, including High Octane (2009), Octopella (2003), Gold (2000), Eight MisbehavinHonors and awards
- 1998. International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Champions,
ICCA Results Records.
- 2000. International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Champions,
ICCA Results Records.
The Octet in the media
Over the years, the Men’s Octet has been cited in several California Bay Area publications such as The Daily Review, the San Jose Mercury News, and the Contra Costa Times.The Men’s Octet has also made several appearances in other media. From annual appearances on the San Francisco/San Jose radio station KFOG
KFOG
KFOG is an FM radio station in San Francisco, California, broadcasting on 104.5 and sister station KFFG 97.7 FM MHz. The 97.7 transmitter is located near Cupertino, California, and it is a simulcast of 104.5 KFOG....
to appearing on the WCAU News in Philadelphia , the Men’s Octet have been heard nationwide. The Octet has even recorded a public health service announcement with the California Department of Health Services entitled “Wash Your Hands” as part of the Immunization Branch’s campaign against the spread of the flu. The group also recorded a nationally aired radio commercial for Coors beer to promote "The Pigskin Can".