SOUNDS OF TEXAS: MARIACHI AZTLÁN FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, RIO GRAND VALLEY
Mariachi Aztlán of the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. Courtesy photo.
Summary:
U.S.’ most celebrated student mariachi, from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
16 members playing traditional Mexican songs and mariachi classics
Premiered the stage production of Cruzar La Cara de La Luna with Houston Grand Opera; and El Pasado Nunca Se Termina with Chicago Lyric Opera
Three free, family concerts:
- Friday, April 27,7 pm, Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Isla Vista
- Saturday, April 28, 7 pm, Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo Street, Guadalupe
- Sunday, April 29,7 pm, The Marjorie Luke Theatre, Santa Barbara Jr. High, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara
Free mariachi workshop on Thursday, April 26, 7:00 – 8:30, Franklin Elementary School. Intended for experienced players, observers are welcome. Get parts in advance fromwww.facebook.com/vivaelartesb.
Post-concert reception and photos with artists.
Follow VivaelArteSB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information and updates on events
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents the U.S.’ premier University mariachi ensemble – Mariachi Aztlán of the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley – in schools and community venues for the last concert set of the 13th Viva season. Hear this award-winning ensemble perform traditional Mexican songs and classic works in free family concerts at Isla Vista School on Friday, April 27, 7 pm; at Guadalupe City Hall on Saturday, April 28, 7 pm; and The Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, on Sunday, April 29, 7 pm. Mariachi Aztlán will offer a workshop for local musicians to practice and share mariachi tradition at Franklin Elementary School on Thursday, April 26, 7 pm, co-presented with the school. The workshop is intended for experienced players but observers are welcome. Parts will be available on Facebook on www.facebook.com/vivaelartesb.
Composed of 16 graduate and undergraduate students, Mariachi Aztlán is recognized as one of the most accomplished and nationally celebrated student groups to come out of the U.S. mariachi educational movement which originated at UCLA in the 60s. Their programs feature arrangements of classic rancheras, boleros, huapangos and more by members Eduardo Lopez and Alán Arce, both graduates of the Berklee School of Music in Boston; and the extraordinary vocals of Monica Fogelquist and Clyde Guerra. Harpist Ivan Velasco from Xalapa, Mexico, joins the group on this tour to Santa Barbara County. Members of the group also regularly participate in workshops for young musicians, passing down the tradition of mariachi to the next generation.
Dr. Dahlia Guerra, Assistant Vice-President of Public Art at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, founded Mariachi Aztlán in 1989 to promote education and cultural pride. Mr. Francisco Loera, musical director and faculty of the School of Music, is the son and grandson of mariachis, who began his mariachi career as a student at nearby McAllen High School. Many former members of Mariachi Aztlán now teach in schools in the Rio Grande Valley, where they, in turn, have established new youth mariachi programs. In 2015, Mariachi Aztlán proudly released Mi Nombre es México, produced by Jose Hernandez of Los Angeles, to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the University of Texas Mariachi Program.
Mariachi Aztlán has won more acclaim at more festivals than any other student group in the past two decades, including San Antonio’s Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza competition, the oldest competition in the country. They have performed at the Hollywood Bowl, the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and have been featured in concerts festivals throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada, including major national events in Tucson, Chicago and San Diego.
In 2010 Mariachi Aztlán was invited to the White House to perform for President Barack Obama at a signing ceremony of an Executive Order commemorating the renewal and enhancement of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. In 2013 they were invited to attend the inauguration and played at the Latino Inaugural Ball.
In collaboration with the Houston Grand Opera, Mariachi Aztlán premiered the stage production ofCruzar la Cara de la Luna, the world’s first “Mariachi-Opera” composed by Pepe Martinez, which addresses familiar issues of immigration. Mariachi Aztlán premiered Martinez’ second opera El Pasado Nunca Se Termina, set during the Mexican Revolution, with the Chicago Lyric Opera in 2015, alternating performances with Mariachi Vargas.
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is sponsored by SAGE Publications, The Roddick Foundation,Anonymous, Russell Steiner, Monica and Tim Babich, Montecito Bank & Trust, National Endowment for the Arts, UCSB Office of Education Partnerships, The Stone Family Foundation, Linda Stafford Burrows, Marianne Marsi and Lewis Manring, and the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission Community Arts Grant Program, with funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara, in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture. Additional support comes from The Marjorie Luke Theatre’s Dreier Family Rent Subsidy Fund. The program is supported in part by the Santa Barbara Independent, the Santa Maria SUN, El Latino CC, Radio Bronco, Entravision/Univision Costa Central, the Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, The Kimpton Goodland Hotel, Pacifica Suites, the Best Western South Coast Inn, and the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Viva is co-presented by The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center and UCSB Arts and Lectures, in partnership with the Isla Vista School After School Grant.