SPRING 2010 - The University of Texas-Pan American

RESEARCHMariachi20 years, world fameWith 20 yearsunder its belt andseveral trophy cases full ofawards, the UTPA Mariachitroupe could sit back and enjoyits many accolades. However, oncethese musicians step off stage, theyreturn to the practice rooms to find newways to improve and grow.Founded in 1989 by music faculty memberDr. Dahlia Guerra, the group has grown from10 to more than 45 students making up threedifferent mariachis — Mariachi Aztlan, themost veteran group, and Mariachi Femeniland Mariachi Juvenil, both formed later toaccommodate more students.At the time the UTPA Mariachi was founded,there was only one other Texas institution witha school-sponsored group. Guerra, now dean ofthe College of Arts and Humanities, recalls thegroup’s humble beginnings.“We started with black pants and whiteshirts, and we had red ties we bought at theflea market,” Guerra said. “It was not like theoutfits we have today. A few years later, westarted to add to our outfits. The parent of oneof the students made the first suits for us.”The group’s first public performance cameduring a Spanish symposium hosted by theUniversity, where they played for 30 minutes.“The audience was very receptive, and I wasjust thrilled with that performance,” Guerrasaid.Like all new groups, the Mariachi group tooktime to develop, selling chicken plates to raisemoney for equipment and supplies. The groupreceived much support from the music directorsat the LaJoya Independent School District,which had mariachi early on as part of its musicprogram, allowing UTPA’s performers to comeinto the troupe with some valued experience.“We took our students to workshops withother university mariachis and professionalgroups,” Guerra said. “It took a lot of workon the part of the students and the faculty tohelp them grow and improve. It was in 1996when I think they finally got to a competitivelevel. We took part in the San Antonio mariachicompetition and earned first place. That waswhen I knew they were really good.”Guerra’s perceptions of the UTPA Mariachi’scapabilities was confirmed when the groupwas invited to participate in workshops inSan Antonio with the world-famous MariachiVargas de Tecalitlán, the group that popularizedthe genre in the 1930s and 1940s and brought itto the forefront of cultural awareness.“Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán is the goldstandard for mariachis worldwide. We thenknew that was the bar we wanted to set. That iswhat we wanted to strive for,” Guerra said.The UTPA students have since played in manyvenues and with mariachi groups from across thecountry and world including Japan, France, Italyand Croatia. One of their most unusual venueswas a steel mill in Iowa, hosted by the plant’sowner as a gift to his workers, many of whomhad never heard mariachi music before. They’vealso sung at the state capitol in Austin and beenrecognized by both the House and Senate of theTexas Legislature for promoting the music andtraditions of the Hispanic culture.All three UTPA Mariachis have also madea name for themselves in collegiate-levelcompetitions, going up against such universitiesLos Arcos 8“Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán is the gold standard for mariachisworldwide. We then knew that was the bar we wanted to set.”