Spanish and Orchestra Students Experience Magic of Mexican Mariachi Band
On November 5, approximately 212 Spanish and upper school orchestra students and their teachers attended a University Musical Society youth performance of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán at Hill Auditorium.
“Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán has been called the best mariachi group in the world and those who attended this electric performance would wholeheartedly agree,” said Spanish teacher Elaine Moffat.
The group, consisting of thirteen talented musicians, traces its roots back 113 years and five generations. The instruments that are played are one harp, one vihuela, one guitarrón, three trumpets and six violins. Many things about the performance impressed Greenhills students, teachers and parents.
“The energy and joy demonstrated by the band members as they played were contagious,” explained Sra. Moffat. “The band played for a solid hour and there was no written music to be seen anywhere. The violinists moved around as they were playing and were in perfect synchronization. Many of the violinists also sang and they had beautiful and powerful voices. Several songs involved challenging falsetto parts that were sustained for very long periods of time — sometimes over 20 seconds!”
“I really liked the Mariachi performance,” said seventh-grader Jordan Williams. “They were powerful and majestic. They were so talented; it was an honor to be able to see them perform.”
Opening for the band were two young very talented performers who won best national mariachi vocalist competitions in 2009, one at the elementary school level and one at the high school level. Eight-year-old Sebastien de la Cruz, and Karenn Lazo, a high school student wowed the audience with their powerful voices and professionalism.
Greenhills students were extra fortunate because they got to have a sneak preview of Sebastien and Karenn at school on Wednesday, Nov. 3. D period Spanish classes and any other interested students and classes were invited to attend this spectacular performance.
Click here to watch members of the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán perform on local WDET Radio (Nov. 4).
