University of California Men's Octet
The UC Men's Octet, also known as the Cal Men’s Octet, is UC Berkeley’s eight-member male a cappella group. Founded in 1948, it began as part of the university’s UC Choral Ensembles. The group sings a mix of styles, including barbershop, doo-wop, pop, and contemporary songs, along with many Berkeley fight songs.
The Octet has recorded more than a dozen albums and is one of only four groups to win the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) twice, taking first place in 1998 and 2000. They perform regularly around the San Francisco Bay Area for alumni and the public and have toured internationally, visiting places like China, Australia, Europe, and many parts of the United States. They also perform weekly on Sproul Plaza, usually Wednesdays at 1:00 pm during the academic year.
The group hosts several annual concerts, including the Fall West Coast A Cappella Showcase, which invites other groups from around the country to Berkeley, as well as the UC Men’s Octet Spring Show and the year-end Unbuttoned Show. The Octet’s performances and recordings have been featured in local papers and on radio and TV nationwide.
Headquartered at the Cesar Chavez Student Center, the choir is led by choirmaster Ron Yaldin. The UC Men’s Octet maintains an official website for news and updates.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 00:00 (CET).