You don’t have to go far to broaden your musical horizons. Mariachi, Choir, Jazz Band and now Conjunto are part of the Palo Alto community.
You can learn to play the guitar, vihuela, accordion, and even get private singing lessons right here on campus.

“The idea of Mariachi started ten years ago, I decided to give it a try,” said Juan Ortiz, Mariachi professor. “I started off part-time to see how the class would be. The community liked it, and the students liked it, so it has progressed to what we are now, a great performing Mariachi group.”

Mariachi is a mixture of folk traditions from Spain, Mexico and Africa. Mariachi music is the heart and soul of Mexico. The only other school that has a Mariachi program at a college level is the University of Texas at San Antonio.

“I plan on transferring to UTSA and majoring in music I have been in Mariachi and learned how to play the guitar since I was in sixth grade,” said freshman Jose Rodriguez. “I really do enjoy the Mariachi class here at Palo Alto. It has made me a more responsible student, and I go home and practice my music for the next class.”

There are currently two Mariachi classes available at PAC. In the beginning class, students are taught how to play various instruments and receive vocal lessons. The next-level class is the advanced Mariachi. In the Spring of 2003, the Music Department will offer a third-level class.

“In order to be part of the Advanced Mariachi, you must audition,” said Ortiz. “You must know how to play an instrument and have some Mariachi experience from high school or elsewhere.

Some of the students who perform for Palo Alto also perform with a professional group outside of school.

“I got into Mariachi my freshman year of high school,” said Brandi Meyer, a violin player. “I also play for the Campanas de America outside of school. I don’t know a lot of Spanish, but I love the music and enjoy playing for PAC.”

The program has grown so much throughout the years and so has the competition. The Mariachi will be competing at the Ford and Lincoln Mercury’s 8th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in the Municipal Auditorium on Nov. 22, 2002.

“The PAC Mariachi Program is also having a festival here on campus November 15,” said Brent Osner, Associate Professor of Music. “We are expecting more than 200 spectators from high schools and middle schools throughout the state.”

The newest musical attraction at Palo Alto is the Conjunto Music Program. This is the first Conjunto music class at the college or university levels anywhere in the nation. The classes are expected to expand as the program becomes stronger.

“Conjunto music is a combination of the European button accordion and the Mexican bajo sexto,” said Juan Tejeda, Conjunto professor. “They started singing in Spanish and added the corridos, huapangos and the European polkas, so Conjunto music is just a synthesis of all the different instruments and rhythms.”

Tejeda was the director of the Xicano Music Program for 18 years at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. He created and directed the annual Tejano Conjunto Festival. He then taught at UTSA for two years. In 2002, he was a recipient of the Ford salute to Education in the Arts Award.

“Right now, the Conjunto class is off to a great start,” said Tejeda. “We have two strong accordionists in the class, a bajo sexto player, a few people who play bass and two singers. I think it’s very important that it’s happening here in the South Side of San Antonio.”

For those who were part of the band in high school, check out the Jazz Band. Professor Jay Fort is taking over while Professor Armin Marmolejo is on sabbatical attending the University of Texas at Austin for his Ph.D.

If playing an instrument is just not your thing, there are several choirs: concert, jazz and show.

“We have auditions every semester for the Choir Program,” said Osner. “You have to be able to sing and move. We will be putting some choreography into the performances.”
A bachelor’s degree in music is offered at many universities; Palo Alto awards an associate of arts degree in music. Writing music, playing an instrument and performance are all needed to complete a music degree.

“Many of the students who are a part of the Music Department want to major in music,” said Osner. “Some may go out and be professional singers, songwriters or play an instrument; others may just become music teachers. But one thing that they will have in common is that they got started right here at Palo Alto.”