DECEMBER 2, 2021 — UTSA music major Osvaldo Chacón beat more than 1,000 musical artists from across the country to compete in the coveted Mariachi Vargas National Vocalist Competition.
Chacón—a music major from Del Rio, Texas, who’s the first from his family to attend college—has always had a love for Norteño and the Mariachi genre despite a speech impediment he battled as a child. Now, he will become the first UTSA student to represent the university in this nationwide musical event. Eleven competitors will be judged by members of the Mariachi Vargas ensemble. The first-place winner will join the troupe on stage for a grand performance.
The UTSA junior already sees himself as a winner because his name, associated with musical training from UTSA, will forever be associated with the prestigious Mariachi Vargas moniker. In the past, he has secured scholarships from patrons of the arts such as San Antonio’s Gardenia and Musical Club. He hopes that this competition will provide more support. In the meantime, Chacón plans to pursue his studies in music education and continue to work with Mariachi Los Paisanos, his music group.
“The training at UTSA and my passion for Mariachi music allowed me to have the opportunity to meet with Mariachi Vargas,” Chacón said. “This competition will help my career once I leave the university and make an impact in local school programs.”
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