The UC Berkeley Men's Octet

UC Berkeley's Men's Octet are an exceptional group, with a history of success in the ICCAs, including two reigns as international champions. Octet member Paul Formaker took the time to answer questions from A Cappella Blog co-founder Mike Chin.

A Cappella Blog (ACB): Your group performs weekly at Sproul Plaza. Can you describe these shows? How does performing weekly affect the group, and do you find it challenging to do so?

Paul Formaker (PF): A show on Sproul Plaza usually lasts about 30-45 minutes. The audience has about 100-200 people and consists of regulars who come by every week, and random people walking to or from class. Performing weekly really gives the group a chance to loosen up in front of the students and just have fun. Sproul performances are where we get to add funny lyrics or more ridiculous choreography that we don't perform in front of an older audience. Sprouls are never very difficult, because our repertoire is large enough that we can sing different songs every week, and performing is something we do all the time.

ACB: How does the group benefit from operating under the umbrella of UC Choral Ensembles?

PF: UCCE is a great organization that helps us with paperwork, economics, and communicating with the powers that be. The faculty in UCCE are always willing to help out and do their best to benefit our group. They know that we're students and they want to help shoulder our load. Also, they handle the money we make and help us keep track of our budget throughout the year. UCCE also gives us a place to bond with the other groups and be a part of the annual shows they put on every year.

ACB: The Men's Octet has the unique honor of having twice been named world champions in the International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella. The group went to the finals once again in 2006. How has the group attained such success?

PF: The group has had a long history of success due to our alumni and the knowledge going into the group that we strive to be the best. Before any member is accepted into the group, they have to hear the lecture about how we accept nothing less than their best. The Octet requires everyone to put in most of their free time to learn parts, repeatedly listen to the music on CD, and practice their choreography.

ACB: Describe a typical Octet rehearsal. How often do you guys practice and what do you do to achieve such success by the time you hit the stage? Do rehearsals change before a big show? Before you guys go into competition?

PF: Rehearsal always starts with warm-ups so that the everyone has a healthy voice and doesn't strain. After that, the music manager will either hand the group a new song to learn or we'll go over something that we practiced at home. To save time, we usually split up into parts and learn at separate pianos, then reconvene to see how it all fits together. The Octet has lots of fun in practice with choreography. In fact, most of our funniest stuff comes from someone messing around and doing something cool. Before a big show, the Octet will practice every day for at least a week, sometimes two. Rehearsals can range from 3 to 6 hours at a time, and if the music manager wants to stay, we all stay. While this may seem tiring, it really allows us to focus on the details and make the music and choreo become second nature.

ACB: What is the audition process like for the Men's Octet?

PF: The audition for the Men's Octet is long. Starts at noon and could go until eleven or later. The first round of the audition is where the Octet listens to each guy sing a solo. From there we move on to testing range, sight singing, rhythm, and the ability to pick a note out of a chord. The next round is where we teach them the backs to one of our standards and see how well they can blend. After making cuts, the Octet requires every prospective member to sing with the present group to see if they are capable of doing intense choreography while still keeping their pitch. When the final person has gone, the group decides on which guys will be accepted.

ACB: What drew you, personally, to collegiate a cappella in the first place?

PF: My older brother also goes to Cal and I attended his first Cal Day, an open house on campus for the new students to come and get information on classes etc. The Octet was performing underneath Sather Gate in their suits and I knew I had to be a part of the group. So for three years I listened to the CDs and watched every year at Cal Day so that I could have parts ready if they asked me. I tried out while I was still a senior in high school, and I've never been happier about the decision.

ACB: What is your favorite song to perform with the Men's Octet?

PF: This is a tough one, but I'm going to have to say our Justin Timberlake Medley, but Billie Jean and Under Pressure are close.

ACB: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of The A Cappella Blog?

PF: Check us out on YouTube. Look up Octet and there will be plenty of stuff for your viewing enjoyment. Thanks for having us on the Blog, this is a really great idea.