The sounds of Mariachi music filled the air at Chula Vista High School over the weekend. That's because hundreds of middle and high school students took part in Sweetwater Unified's sixth annual Student Mariachi Conference . KPBS Education Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.
Sounds of students playing trumpets...
Students with shiny brass trumpets sit inside a classroom, their eyes fixed on their instructor Miguel Martinez.
Martinez is the godfather of Mariachi trumpet playing in Mexico. He's one of a handful of instructors who traveled from Mexico to teach these kids. Their goal is to encourage young people to embrace the music of their homeland.
Eighteen-year-old Ricardo Munguia says he comes to conference every ear because of the instructors. He believes Mariachi music is making a comeback among kids.
Munguia : You think Mariachi you think Mexico, you know? And I want to carry the culture. Rock’n’roll is good. There are a lot of good rock bands. But Mariachi is something different, something special.
Each workshop focused on different aspects of Mariachi music - from folk dancing to harp playing. More than 200 students took part in the conference. Some came from as far away as New Mexico.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
Note: Tune into KPBS Radio on Friday when Ana Tintocalis brings us an extended story about the Student Mariachi Conference on Morning Edition.
