Male Ensemble Northwest was formed in Longview, Washington, in 1982, the brainchild of Howard Meharg of Longview, who wanted to form a singing group as well as encourage young males in public schools to sing in choirs of all kinds. Thus it was that Male Ensemble Northwest was formed to demonstrate a high level of music making by choral conductors from the Pacific Northwest region and also to promote male choral singing.

In the years since its inception, MEN has appeared in concerts from local churches and auditoriums to regional and national audiences, always remembering to spread the message of male singing. They have performed at national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association in Washington, D. C., and San Antonio; and several Northwest regional conventions. They have appeared at the leadership conference of ACDA in Lawton, OK, and several state conventions, most recently in Oshkosh, WI.

While a high level of artistry is always an important goal, the members of MEN value the professional and personal associations they have with each other. It is important that the personal soul is fed as well as the artistic.