UTSA helps San Antonio community keep the mariachi tradition alive

(March 7, 2019) -- The tradition of mariachi is thriving at UTSA, a Hispanic Serving Institution in the nation’s seventh largest city.

Los Paisanos Mariachi Ensemble rehearses and performs the festive musical repertoire of the Mexican folk mariachi tradition and have added new renditions this semester. The ensemble has invited community members to join as well.

Michael Acevedo, the ensemble’s director, said there are 22 UTSA students and five community members participating this semester. Acevedo, a McAllen native, has been arranging and composing music for more than 15 years and has performed with various mariachi groups across Texas. In addition to working with students at UTSA, he directs a mariachi program at a middle school in the Northside Independent School District.

 Violin, guitar, vihuela, guitarrón, harp, trumpet, guitarra de golpe and vocalists all make up the energetic sounds of this mariachi ensemble.

Leon Camacho, a UTSA music marketing major, plays guitar and sings. The senior said he was born in Mexico and moved to the United States when he was young and performing in this ensemble helps him connect with his culture. 

“Many of the students in the mariachi ensemble come from a similar background as me and sharing the same experience with them makes it extra special,” explained Camacho. “I love wearing our 'trajes' when we perform. Not only do we get to play a piece of our culture, we get to wear it as well.”

Camacho and Stan Renard, UTSA Music Marketing Coordinator, came up with the idea to have community members get involved in the ensemble. The two worked with the ensemble’s director to get the word out on social media and through their connections in the community.

“My hope is the community members bring with them experience and knowledge about mariachi and pass it along to the students,” said Acevedo. “My hope for the community members is that they have an outlet to perform without all the commitment of being a professional mariachi, like gigs on the weekends.”

There is a fee for community members, 18 years of age or older, to join the ensemble and those funds are used to keep the group running strong. The ensemble rehearses on Thursday evenings and will take the stage during a recital on Tuesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. in the Buena Vista Theater at the Downtown Campus. The community is invited to attend this free performance.

“I’m proud to represent my school and my heritage when we perform,” said Camacho.

— Kara Soria

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