Building a Successful Building a Successful

Mariachi ProgramMariachi Program

Deborah Meyer Snook

Antioch University Seattle

March 2008

RationaleRationaleIn 2001, when I was given the opportunity to teach mariachi alongside a mariachi musician, I jumped at the chance to learn anew style of music despite the fact that I could not speak Spanish. Playing trumpet in a local mariachi was a crash-course in the genre; I am grateful for this experience, as the following year I found myself teaching mariachi on my own without a mentor!

Over the past five years I have absolutely fallen in love with mariachi music. I deeply cherish my relationships with studentswhom I would never have met without this class. My story is proof that one does not have to be from Mexico to enjoy and teach mariachi! While I still consider myself a student of mariachi music, it is my goal to help others gain the confidence to teach mariachi as well. I hope to provide initial background information to music teachers who want to embark on an exciting and rewarding journey into the world of mariachi music education!

Mariachi Chief SealthMariachi Chief Sealth

What Is Mariachi?What Is Mariachi?

• Mariachi music is folk music from Mexico using violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, guitarrón, and harp.

• Its popularity is increasing throughout the United States and as a result, it is becoming a common component of the music curriculum in a growing number of schools.

• Mariachi music styles include ranchera, son, corrido, polka, waltz, huapango, joropo, paso doble, danzón, cumbia, and potpourrí.

• The term mariachi can be used to refer to individual mariachi musicians or an entire mariachi ensemble.

What Is the Instrumentation?What Is the Instrumentation?

• Violin – standard four-string violin

• Trumpet – standard Bb trumpet

• Guitar – standard folk guitar

• Vihuela – similar to guitar; has five strings

• Guitarrón – a six-string bass instrument

• Harp – optional; not widely used

• Voice – solo and ensemble singing

What Are the Advantages of a School What Are the Advantages of a School

Mariachi Program?Mariachi Program?

• Music programs with diverse course offerings help establish a school climate which visibly and purposefully celebrates diversity, teaching students to respect and appreciate other cultures.

• Mariachi programs place a high value on the cultural heritage of Mexico.

• Mariachi ensembles welcome Latinos into the school and community, usually leading to increased parental involvement.

How Do Students Benefit?How Do Students Benefit?

• Mariachi classes involve Latino students who are typically not involved in traditional school music programs, providing music education to a higher percentage of students.

• Participation in mariachi teaches responsibility, teamwork, and leadership skills.

• Students gain a sense of accomplishment and pride resulting in higher self-esteem and motivation.

• Stronger connections between the student and school lead to higher academic achievement in all subjects.

• Students develop a life-long love of music and often continue making music after graduation.

What Are the Program Needs?What Are the Program Needs?

• Music teacher

• Instruments

• Sheet music

• Rehearsal time and location

• Uniforms (optional)

Who Qualifies as a Mariachi Teacher?Who Qualifies as a Mariachi Teacher?

• If a mariachi musician is unavailable, remember that any music teacher can teach mariachi!

• Instructors must be able to read a music score and know basic violin, trumpet and guitar technique. Vihuela is very similar to guitar; advanced mánicos (strumming patterns) for guitar and vihuela will eventually be required. Teachers should learn basic guitarrón technique during the early stages of preparation. It is common practice for teachers to play along with students in bothrehearsals and performances.

• A local mariachi musician may be willing to serve as a mentor orprovide instructional assistance.

• It is important to listen to many recordings in order to develop and embrace a sense of the style.

• Knowing Spanish is helpful but not an absolute necessity, especially if the students are fluent.

Is Training Available for Is Training Available for

Inexperienced Teachers?Inexperienced Teachers?As the number of mariachi programs increases, the demand for teacher training rises as well. Collegiate music education programs and professional music educator organizations such as MENC now offer seminars and courses on teaching mariachi. For example:

– Twelve music educators took a one-week intensive course at Villanova University (Philadelphia, PA) in July 2007. Villanova will offer the course again during July 2008, possibly with two levels for new and returning teachers.

– Washington State mariachi teachers presented “Mariachi Music in the Northwest” at the 2008 Washington Music Educators Conference (Yakima, WA).

How Large Is the Initial Budget?How Large Is the Initial Budget?

• Budget requirements are similar to any

instrumental music program; instruments are

the biggest expenditure. One suggestion is to

start with some guitars, one vihuela and one

guitarrón the first year; add trumpets and violins

the second year to spread the cost over time.

• Music libraries can be built in stages; songs

generally cost $25-50 each. Beginning students

might learn four to eight songs the first year.

How Much Do Instruments Cost?How Much Do Instruments Cost?

• Violin: student models from $150-200 each

• Trumpet: student models from $400 each

• Guitar: from $125 each

• Vihuela: from $300 each

• Guitarrón: from $475 each

• Harp: two recommended types

– Paraguayan – from $650

– Mexican – from $2000

What Are the Best Funding Sources?What Are the Best Funding Sources?

• Community Supporters– PTSA

– School alumni

– Local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

– Corporate sponsors

• Grants– Local arts programs and foundations

– Mariachi USA Foundation

– VH1 Save the Music

• Federal Migrant/Bilingual Programs

What Is the Mariachi Uniform?What Is the Mariachi Uniform?

• Most ensembles start with a simple uniform such as black pants paired with either a white shirt or a polo shirt embroidered with the ensemble logo.

• Established programs typically wear the traditional traje de charro; however they are very expensive and not recommended for new programs. Trajescan range in price from $150 to $500 each.

• Funding for uniforms is sometimes provided through the school budget, but most often comes from another source; ensembles often engage in multiple forms of fund raising including accepting donations for public performances.

How Is Mariachi Scheduled?How Is Mariachi Scheduled?

• Many programs begin as an after-school activity, often funded through grant monies.

• Once established, programs usually become an official part of the music department; classes are offered during the normal school day and students receive class credit for participation. Some programs hold additional rehearsals after school or during evenings.

• Many school districts have one or more mariachi teachers who travel between schools, teaching courses at various levels throughout the day.– Elementary school: Beginning mariachi course

– Middle school: Beginning and intermediate

– High school: Beginning, intermediate and advanced

What Music Is Best to Start With?What Music Is Best to Start With?

• The ranchera is the easiest style to learn.

• Select a song in which students can play only the introduction and coda; they can focus on singing the melody without playing any of the ornamentations. This allows for maximum participation, facilitates group singing, and helps students progress quickly.

• Focus on musical proficiency: first teach the scale that relates to each song so students develop proper technique and good intonation. Guitars and vihuelas harmonize each note with chords.

Where Can Mariachis Perform?Where Can Mariachis Perform?

• School assemblies and functions

• Music department concerts

• School family involvement activities

• Community celebrations and events

• Various private and public performances

• Corporate events

• Music exchanges with other schools, mariachi ensembles, and music departments

• Mariachi festivals

What Happens at a Mariachi Festival?What Happens at a Mariachi Festival?

• Festivals occur throughout the United States and usually feature professional mariachi musicians who teach workshops, providing students with direct instruction from some of the best mariachi musicians in the world.

• Festival concerts highlight many professional mariachis, many of whom students are already familiar with.

• Students learn new music and come home inspired and ready to practice!

• Festivals give mariachi educators additional experience and training as well.

Mariachi Festivals in the United StatesMariachi Festivals in the United States

• Clark County School District – Las Vegas, NV

• Tucson International Mariachi Festival – Tucson, AZ

• Southwest Texas State University – San Marcos, TX

• Battle of the Mariachis – San Juan Capistrano, CA

• Mariachi Northwest – Wenatchee, WA

• Sweetwater Mariachi Festival – Chula Vista, CA

• Mariachi USA Festival –––– Hollywood, CA

• Mariachi Spectacular – Albuquerque, NM

• San Jose International Mariachi Festival – San Jose, CA

• Denver Mariachi Festival – Denver, CO

• Las Cruces Mariachi Festival – Las Cruces, NM

• Mariachi Extravaganza – San Antonio, TX

Resources and InformationResources and Information

The following resources are presented as

starting points for research into mariachi

education. The recent explosion of information

has made it impossible to present a

comprehensive catalog of existing resources.

Suggested ListeningSuggested Listening

ENSEMBLESENSEMBLESENSEMBLESENSEMBLES

• Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán

• Mariachi Cobre

• Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández

• Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano

• Mariachi México de Pepe Villa

• Mariachi Los Galleros de Pedro Hernández

• Mariachi América de Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar

• Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles (All Female)

• Mariachi Mujer 2000 (All Female)

SOLOISTSSOLOISTSSOLOISTSSOLOISTS

• Pedro Infante

• Jorge Negrete

• José Alfredo Jiménez

• Vicente Fernández

• Linda Ronstadt

• Lucha Reyes

• Lola Beltrán

• Lucha Villa

MENC Online ResourcesMENC Online Resourceswww.menc.org

• Monthly newsletters

• Forum

• Sheet music and methods

• Recordings

• Curriculum

• Resources

• Products

• Events

• Recommended literature

• History

• Biographies

• Links

• Grants, scholarships and funding

• Mariachi education advisory committee

WebsitesWebsites

• General information: www.mariachi.org

www.elmariachi.com

• Mariachi education: www.menc.org

www.mariachieducationresources.com

• Jonathan Clark, mariachi history:

www.mariachihistory.com

• Mariachi USA Foundation:

www.mariachiusa.org

Periodical ArticlesPeriodical Articles• Ballard, K.R., Benavidez, C.R. (2002). Mariachi: Ethnic music

as a teaching tool. Teaching Music, 9(4), 22-27.• Brown, P.L. (2005, April 24). Sousa? Many students march

to mariachi instead. New York Times, p. 1.1.• Crane, E. (2002). Mariachi Magic. District Administration,

38(10), 22-23.• De Barros, P. (2004, Nov 27). Picking up a cultural rhythm:

high school’s mariachi band helps Latino students. Seattle Times, p. A1.

• Holmes, R. (2004). Mariachi: Adding spice to Washington music programs. Voice, XLIX(3), 23-25.

• Zehr, M.A. (2003). Mariachi Motivation. Education Week, 22(24), 22-25.

PublicationsPublications• Bowling, M. (n.d.). Mariachi for beginners: A method book for teaching

mariachi style music to elementary school students.• Dodd, J.C. (2001). Playing mariachi music: its influence in students’ lives

– An ethnographic study of Mariachi MECA. (UMI No. 1407147)

• Fogelquist, M. (n.d.). Mariachi music: A win-win program for public schools.

• Fogelquist, M., & Harpole, P. (1991). Los mariachis! An introduction to Mexican mariachi music. Danbury, CT: World Music Press.

• Nevin, J. (2002). Virtuoso Mariachi. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.

• Sánchez, N. (2005). The current state of mariachi curriculum. A paper presented at the 2005 Texas Music Educators Association Conference. San Antonio, TX.

• Sheehy, D. (2006). Mariachi Music in America. New York: Oxford University Press.

• Vargas, J. (n.d.). The handbook for mariachi educators. Uvalde, TX: Vargas Publications.

Classroom MaterialsClassroom Materials

• Archuleta, M. (2001). Mariachi Method for the Guitar. Mixta Publishing.

• Baez, M., Benavidez, R., Gasca, R., & Gomez, H. (2003). Vihuela chord and rhythm book. San Antonio, TX: Gasca Productions.

• Benavidez, R. (1998). Mariachi vocabulary: A guide for the mariachi student. Mr. Mariachi.

• Grijalve, F. & Neel, M. (2008). ¡Simplemente mariachi! Glenmore, PA: Northeastern Music Publications.

• Hernández, J. Mariachi trumpet: Phrasing techniques.• Martinez, C.E. (1998).Mariachi strumming for vihuela and guitar.

Kingsville, TX: Martinez.

• Nevin, J. (2006). Mariachi mastery. Niel A. Kjos Music Company.

• Santiago de González, S. (n.d.) Practical method for the guitarrón.• Sánchez, N. (2000). Mariachi armonía method book.• Vela, J. (n.d.). The guitarrón book. Alice, TX: Southern Music Company.

• Yunes Gonzalez, Y. (n.d.). El mariachi in the classroom.

VideosVideos

• Benavidez, R. (n.d.). Introduction to vihuela.– Availability: Mariachi Connection (www.mariachiconnection.com)

• Benavidez, R. (n.d.). Introduction to guitarrón.– Availability: Mariachi Connection (www.mariachiconnection.com)

• Gonzalez, A. (producer) and Hernández, J. (2004). ¡Viva el mariachi!– Availability: Mariachi Connection (www.mariachiconnection.com)

• Hernández, J. & National Center for Voice and Speech (producer). (n.d.) Exploring the mariachi voice.– Availability: José Hernández

Cielito Lindo Restaurant

1612 N. Santa Anita Ave.

South El Monte, CA 91733

(818) 442-1254

Instrument VendorsInstrument Vendors

• Candelas: www.candelas.com

• Lucida: www.lucidaguitars.com

• Mariachi Connection:

www.mariachiconnection.com

• Morales: www.instrumentosmorales.com

• Paraguayan Harps:

www.paraguayanharps.com

Sheet Music VendorsSheet Music Vendors

• Hal Leonard Mariachi Series: www.halleonard.com

• Mariachi Connection: www.mariachiconnection.com

• Mariachi Publishing Company: www.sobrino.net/mpc

• RBC Mariachi Music: www.rbcmusic.com

• Vargas Publications: www.vargaspublications.com

• Note: the highest-quality music available is offered for sale at mariachi conferences; these transcriptions have been written and/or performed by professional mariachis, whereas other published music is often poorly edited and may contain errors.

Traje de Traje de CharroCharro VendorsVendors

• La Casa del Mariachi:

www.casadelmariachi.com

• La Charrita Tapatía: www.charritatapatia.com

• Mariachi Connection:

www.mariachiconnection.com

Model Programs and EducatorsModel Programs and Educators

• Chula Vista High School

Chula Vista, CA – Mark Fogelquist

• Tucson High Magnet School

Tucson, AZ – Rueben Loya

• Wenatchee School District

Wenatchee, WA – Ramón Rivera

• Clark County School District

Las Vegas, NV – Marcia Neel

• Chief Sealth High School

Seattle, WA – Debbie Meyer

ConclusionConclusionThis examination of successful mariachi programs allowed me to interact with mariachi education experts from all over the country. Combining these interviews and observations with my own experiences as a mariachi teacher has led me to a place of further understanding and a desire to be an even better teacher. I have come to the conclusion that mariachi music will proliferate throughout the nation’s schools. I firmly believe that music educators have a responsibility to be prepared to teach it.

While this may seem a daunting task, there is an abundance of wonderful resources available. Mariachi educators, many of whomare professional musicians themselves, are exceptionally willing to serve as mentors. Although performing advanced levels of mariachi music demands a high level of proficiency, those of us who are new to the style can find success teaching mariachi in the classroom.

¡¡Viva Mariachi!Viva Mariachi!

In AppreciationIn Appreciation

Juel Iwassa, Wenatchee School District

Lynn Love, Wenatchee School District

Rueben Loya, Tucson Unified School District

Ed Mikel, Antioch Seattle University

Marcia Neel, Music Education Consultants

Ramón Rivera, Wenatchee School District

Adam Romo, Clark County School District

Michael Sital, Clark County School District

Chief Sealth High School, Seattle School District