Dynamic musical trio sets Palo Alto's rhythmic tempo

Dynamic musical trio sets Palo Alto’s rhythmic tempo

By Miguel Serna
Pulse Staff Reporter

Conjunto students playing accordian and guitar

If you want to learn to play an instrument or hone your talent, Palo Alto offers ample opportunity.

Conjunto Palo Alto, the Jazz Band and the Mariachi Palomino provide students a breadth of musical experience. These three are not the only music venues at Palo Alto. The music curriculum is very deep with many voice, instrument and music appreciation classes, as well.

“We have very strong and exceptionally well-educated music instructors here. I think we have one of the best departments in the state,” said Coach Noriega, a Music major and vocalist at Palo Alto.

Conjunto

“Palo Alto College is a unique institution, because we offer programs here, like Conjunto, that are not anywhere else,” said Juan Tejeda, director of the Conjunto branch of the Music Department.

Palo Alto is the only place where Conjunto is taught at the college level. Tejeda, who has been playing the button accordion since he was nine, said that Conjunto is a very deep part of Mexican heritage. It is a synthesis of German style and polka/waltz that was combined with Mexican rhythm during the 1860s and ‘70s. Conjunto uses a unique ensemble of instruments, including the button accordion, the drums, and a bajo sexto, which is a 12-string bass. Conjunto is dance music. It plays to move your feet.

PAC's conjunto band plays at PAC fest 2007

Tejeda said that Palo Alto has a good, well-rounded department, but it could be better with some outside help.

“We need more money for programs, scholarships and equipment,” said Tejeda, “so Palo Alto can attract new students who want to pursue careers in music.”

Conjunto Palo Alto or “The Pak,” as the group likes to be called, meets every Monday at 6 p.m. to practice in the band hall.

Cool Jazz

Dr. Armin Marmolejo is the lead instructor for the Music Department and is in charge of the Jazz program. Marmolejo has worked alongside some of the greatest musicians of all time, including Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder.

Jazz uses a variety of instruments: baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, trumpets, trombone, a electric bass of double bass, guitars, piano, drums, vibes and other percussion instruments. Marmolejo’s instrument is the trombone. Jazz plays a wide variety of sounds from dance style to the music that makes you sit back and chill.

Even though Marmolejo loves his department and knows it’s the best around, he believes there is always room for improvement. The main thing he said is that the program needs more funding. The professors are doing the best they can with what they have. If they could get some music scholarships flowing, it would attract more up-and-coming musicians to the school and help current ones pay for their tuition.

“There is a lot of talent at Palo Alto. I would like to see students live up to their potential,” said Marmolejo. “I want them to perform music at the highest level possible.”

Marmolejo uses his music as a form of expression showing off some of his soul, and it is reflected back from the students.

“It is an honor to be taught by such an esteemed musician,” said Chris Adams, a Music Education major and bass/guitarist at Palo Alto College.

Adams, a teacher at heart, only wants the best for up-and-coming musicians. His goal is to become a great teacher. With the help of all the top-of-the-line instructors here at Palo Alto, things are looking bright for him.

Cassandra Perez, a Music Education major and xylophonist for the Palo Alto Jazz Band, likes to perform for people, and she enjoys the thrill of being on stage.

“I play to be unique, and all the wonderful music staff help me be who I want to be,” said Perez. She also said that the Jazz Band needs more females, and she encourages more women to get involved.

	Mariachi Juan Ortiz, the director of Palo Alto’s Mariachi program, is a long-time music director of the prestigious Campanas de America. He is proficient with all the instruments of the Mariachi, which include guitar, guitar de golpe, guitarron, trumpet, violin, vihuela, harp, accordion and flute. Ortiz’s instrument of choice is the violin. Mariachi is another type of music that runs deep within the soul of the Mexican-American community.
The Mariachi also has a very wide range of sounds from fast and joyful to slow and mourning. A Mariachi at any gathering has a song for the occasion. Being in the classroom with Ortiz is a wonderful experience. When in the room with him, there is always a joke and a smile. But that doesn’t mean that no work is going on. Ortiz gives the students his best and expects it back from each of them. “Mr. Ortiz is an outstanding instructor, and it is a pleasure to be in his class,” said Noriega. Noriega is a much-respected music student and known by almost all in his field. He is always very happy, and he loves the joy his singing brings to the people around him. Right now, he is taking classes at Palo Alto to hone his skill because he knows there is no better place to get it but here. “Right now, we have students with tremendous talent. I wish more people would come see their performances, because these are some of the people that will make it big,” said Noriega.

Pursuing a degree in music? Starting Fall ’07, a new Associate of Music degree, which may be applied toward a Bachelor of Arts degree, will be offered at Palo Alto College. This new degree will allow music majors to focus their education and help them transfer to a four-year university. For more information, contact Dr. Armin Marmolejo in the Music Department or by phone at (210) 921-5514. For a complete listing of music classes, please refer to the Fall 2007 college bulletin/schedule.

Next Story in this issue...