Mariachi Los Paisanos grows rapidly, delights audiences

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 — The legacy of Hispanic culture in San Antonio has made the city one of the most significant locations in the world for mariachi music and perhaps the most influential in the United States.

The city facilitates an excellent market for the genre, which has led to many groups calling San Antonio their home. UTSA’s own Mariachi Los Paisanos has seen a recent surge in prominence within the last few years as the School of Music’s fastest-growing ensemble. Directed by Michael Acevedo and consisting of students across all types of majors on campus, the program has become an integral aspect of UTSA’s cultural identity.

Fall 2023 has been one of the program’s most active semesters since its establishment. By its end in December, Mariachi Los Paisanos will have performed at four major UTSA events, including the group’s upcoming Fall concert on November 21.

“To see UTSA back [Mariachi Los Paisanos] up solidifies the idea that we truly are a Hispanic Serving Institution that wants to support and preserve the culture here.”

Mariachi Los Paisanos has been a part of four major unviersity performances this season.

Its season began under the baton of UTSA Orchestra director Troy Peters when they joined the ensemble and guest organist Colin Campbell on stage for Rapsodia Mexicana in September. It was the first time in UTSA’s history that the two ensembles performed together, with the orchestra accompanying Los Paisanos for several songs before closing the concert with a spectacular grand finale that combined both ensembles and organ. The performance was met with thunderous applause from a full house in the UTSA Recital Hall.

“That was one of the most beautiful things we’ve ever been able to experience... it was just life-changing, such a great experience where we really felt the music,” said senior vocal student and mariachi member Osvaldo Chacon on performing with the orchestra.

Chacon has been singing mariachi since he was five years old. Due to his experience, as well as his classical training as a vocalist at UTSA, he has emerged as an exemplary musician within Mariachi Los Paisanos and is a frequent soloist. Chacon also teaches mariachi for Southeast Independent School District.

Following Rapsodia Mexicana was another concert in the UTSA Recital Hall on October 3^rd with Tejano artist Patsy Torres. The show, titled ¡Vive Con Ganas!, featured the members of the ensemble as well as the UTSA Chamber Strings on stage with Torres and her band before a lively audience of San Antonio’s community members. The students performed the eponymous single off her latest album, “Vive Con Ganas.”

Shelly Lares and Patsy Torres appeared with Mariachi Los Paisanos during the Hispanic Heritage Halftime Show.

Following suit with last year’s Hispanic Heritage celebration, Mariachi Los Paisanos took the field with the Spirit of San Antonio for the halftime show during the UAB vs. UTSA football game at the Alamodome on October 14. The show, the university’s finale to Hispanic Heritage Month, was held in front of more than 23,000 fans in the stadium. Dancers from Ballet Folklorico Sol de San Antonio joined them for the performance.

“At the games, it’s such a different atmosphere. People are shouting and singing...” said Chacon. “Adding Mariachi to the halftime show was such a clever idea because it’s engaging for us and it’s engaging for the community.”

Along with these major performances, the mariachi ensemble has had other scheduled appearances for the semester, such as the UTSA Alumni Gala and community events.

The opportunities to perform have been pouring in at a rate that has enabled the second, more intermediate ensemble Mariachi Juvenile de UTSA to take on gigs as well. It was only last fall that the program expanded to add another mariachi ensemble, and at the rate it’s growing, there may need to be a third ensemble added soon.

Much of the explosive growth within the last two years is attributed to increased visibility and public awareness of the program, as well as a gradual increase of mariachi programs offered in public schools. Support from UTSA and alumni donors has helped the program keep up with growing demand by providing new trajes, instruments and transportation, as has support of the ensembles in a UTSA Giving Day campaign.

“To see UTSA back [Mariachi Los Paisanos] up solidifies the idea that we truly are a Hispanic Serving Institution that wants to support and preserve the culture here,” said mariachi vihuela player and vocalist Alexander Garcia. “There’s been a huge surge of confidence amongst ourselves when it comes to playing, singing and communicating with each other.”

In addition to performing with the group, Garcia helps Acevedo manage a considerable portion of the group’s gigs, as well as serving as a de-facto leader for the group during many performances as well. For him and other mariachi students, the ensemble has also served as a life-skills class by providing valuable real-world gigging experience outside UTSA events and teaching self-efficacy.

“Students need to have gigging experience and know what it’s like to be in front of crowds in all types of scenarios, whether it be with no stands or performing songs by request. It can be very messy when you’re out there playing professionally,” said Acevedo. “It’s important for them to understand what goes on beyond the music to know why mariachi is where it’s at.”

The School of Music and College of Liberal and Fine Arts took a significant step toward further legitimizing the mariachi program before the start of the Fall semester when they made Acevedo a full-time faculty member – an associate professor of practice. It was a much-needed investment as both mariachi classes reached maximum capacity. More music majors than ever before are participating in the ensemble, and it’s also worth noting that a few students switched to music after participating in mariachi.

“They [music majors] start sharing their music with their professors and their private lessons teachers, and then they start getting more aware. It’s been spreading with everyone,” said Acevedo.

Another benefit that has emerged since the program’s resurgence is scholarships exclusively for mariachi students. Fifteen thousand dollars in scholarships have been made available to prospective mariachi students at UTSA this year. As the program continues to gain traction, these scholarships could be a deciding factor in attracting more talent to UTSA.

The end goal that Acevedo has envisioned is the creation of a mariachi certification program or concentration at the UTSA School of Music for students who want to teach or perform mariachi music as a career. The school rapidly transforming its programming with increased emphasis on contemporary and commercial music.

One example is UTSA’s residency of Tejano artist Shelly Lares. This leaves doors more open than ever for a possible emergence of a mariachi certification program in the future. Not only would it add to and diversify what the School of Music has to offer, but it can also be another draw for mariachi students to enroll at the school.

The market for mariachi music has only continued to flourish in Texas, and with little to no signs of oversaturation appearing yet, the industry has indicated demand for mariachi education for aspiring teachers and musicians.

— Rolando Ramon