group2014

Our Passion is Music!

Formed in 1997 at the University of California, Irvine, Men in Blaque sings 15th – 21st century choral music in original voicing. This ensemble’s repertoire includes over 350 eclectic selections to date.

Following the spirit of Chanticleer and the King’s Singers, Men in Blaque performs music from many eras and genres. Members include computer specialists, professors, business owners, teachers, clergy, and students. To enhance and project different music styles, their wide range of repertoire and performance programming includes scripted narrative, choreographic staging and concert positioning

Their first concert included Gregorian Chant, male choruses by Franz Schubert, Esti Dal (in Hungarian) and our most requested selection, Nothin’ Like a Dame (from South Pacific). In 1998, the ensemble appeared in the award-winning production, Madrigal Dinner, and established the critically acclaimed Valentine’s Day Concert at UC Irvine. In February 2005, Men in Blaque collaborated with the internationally-acclaimed ensemble, Chanticleer, on a workshop at UC Irvine.

Men in Blaque has competed in various invitation-only choir competitions including China, Slovakia, and Wales, winning multiple awards. In August 2018, Men in Blaque participated in the World Choral Festival at Puebla, Mexico.

Men in Blaque has recorded five albums, the most recent being released in 2015. They have also commissioned 15 new works to date. Javier Busto, Sydney Guillaume, Kirke Mechen, Vytautus Miskinis, and Imant Raminsh are among noted composers writing for the award-winning ensemble.