San Luis Mariachis

MARIACHI SAN LUIS

     Mariachi San Luis is celebrating its second summer of existence. Mariachi San Luis grew as a result of a conference sponsored by Adobe de Oro - Concilio de Artes held in Alamosa, Colorado in the fall of 1998. The Concilio hired the Vaqueros de La Sierra from Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico and soon Mariachi Fever had infected San Luis!

     If you have ever heard this vibrant group of musicians, you will agree that the remarkable growth and maturity achieved by the group is testimony that given the opportunity, students can make huge strides in a short time. Mariachi San Luis is composed primarily of students ranging in age from eight to adult. There are approximately 10 elementary students, 10 Junior High Student, 15 High School Students and 12 adults. The Mariachi practices twice a week and is run entirely by volunteers. The goal to provide the group with a safe, educational, alcohol and drug-free environment.

     Mariachi San Luis enjoys a tremendous support from the community and is embraced whole heartedly by both Centennial-R-1 School District, Father Pat and the members of the Sangre de Cristo Parish. The Mariachi has worked very hard to improve its musical skill by practicing twice a week in the parish hall. Practices are very rigorous but rewarding. The students continually amaze the leadership with their desire and ability to learn and perform a wide variety of Mariachi Music. Much of the growth and maturity can be attributed dedication of the students and a very aggressive performance schedule.

     The Mariachi averages close to one public performance per week throughout the year. The Mariachi has performed in communities all over the San Luis Valley, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, Colorado and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The group’s favorite place to perform, however, remains in San Luis for the Santa Ana and Santiago fiestas.

     The Mariachi will attend a two-day workshop to be held in Adams State College and sponsored by Adobe de Oro – Concilio de Artes entitled Nurturing Mariachi Music in the San Luis Valley and be highlighted at the Mariachi Espectacular on September 16, 2000. Recently, the mariachi has been honored by a request to play a private dinner on September 21, 2000, for the Medal of Honor recipients in Pueblo, Colorado. Also, on September 23, 2000, Sara Roybal, the Colorado State Fair Fiesta Queen, will dance to the music of the mariachi at the Chili and Frijoles Festival in Pueblo, Colorado.

     In the short life many of the members of Mariachi San Luis have attended conferences in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe, New Mexico as well as Tucson, Arizona and Lubbock, Texas. All members of the Mariachi have attended the Albuquerque Conference for the past two years. We have had the wonderful opportunity to be instructed by members of Mariachi Cobre, Mariachi Sol De Mexico, Mariachi Tenampa, Las Reinas de Los Angeles, Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Vargas and many others.

     The satisfaction and pride of the members of Mariachi San Luis is very evident in every member, regardless of age. The pride and good will has spread throughout San Luis and the surrounding communities. It is very evident from the comments and feedback we get from parents, friends and all that see and listen to the group.

     We can all be very proud of this very positive image being spread by these musical ambassadors of San Luis and Costilla County as they travel in their dizzying schedule of performances. Many of life’s lessons are being learned by all members of the group. Respect, dignity, and tolerance between generations and abilities, musical skills for a lifetime, appreciation for the Spanish language, and the bolstering of self-esteem, and self-confidence -- all wonderful skills to acquire through Mariachi Music, wouldn’t you say?

     For more information about Mariachi San Luis, you can email their director .