By Mariana Garcia
Pulse Staff Reporter

The Palo Alto student Conjunto ensemble released its first CD on Dec. 3, 2008, with two public performances.

One performance was at noon in the Student Center and another performance for the community at large from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Theater. Admission was free at both events, but the contribution of a toy for the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots campaign was appreciated.

The first 100 people at Palo Alto College and the first 200 people at the Guadalupe Theater received a free CD. Conjunto Palo Alto performed their whole album at both venues.

Conjunto Palo Alto is the product of the Conjunto Ensemble course that attracts many talented musicians, said Juan Tejeda, instructor of Music and the Conjunto Music Program Director. They have become a dynamic musical group performing at many college and community events.

Conjunto Palo Alto has performed at various public events, such as PACFest, the International Accordion Festival and the Tejano Conjunto Festival.

Achieving this CD took a lot of time and hard work. Dr. Ana M. Cha Guzmn, President of Palo Alto College, had the vision to create a Conjunto Music Program in 2001. Palo Alto was the first institution of higher learning in the nation to have a Conjunto Music Program.

I was blessed and fortunate to be hired to fill this position, said Tejeda with a smile on his face.

The student musicians range from a 16-year-old high school sophomore to a 72-year-old retired coach. Some ensemble members have professional experience, while others have never performed with a band before or never set foot in a studio.

It has been a good experience, said Ricardo Medina Jr., a Business Marketing major. More people are going to hear our music with this CD coming out.

The music on this CD is very diverse; it represents Chicano roots and the barrio (neighborhood). The 10 songs on the CD include everything from a classical instrumental waltz to a multilingual polka ranchera in Spanish, English, German and French.

Ten songs are on the CD:

1. Hasta El Infinito by Samuel Ramos
2. Tan Chula by Ruben Vela
3. Muevelo by Javier Mashy Mata
4. Sin Ti by Pepe Guizar
5. Puno De Tierra by Carlos Coral
6. Bailadora by Michael Mike Villarreal
7. Idalia by Paulino Bernal
8. There Is No Beer In Heaven by D.A.R.
9. Luna Llena by E.J. Ledesma
10. Volver by D.A.R.

The student musicians who contributed to the CD are Miguel Angel Aguilar Jr., bajo sexto and drums; Roy L. Ayala Jr., background vocals; Beatriz De Hoyos, lead vocals and background vocals; Mara Blanca De Hoyos, lead vocals; Brian D. Gallegos, button accordion; Ruben Martnez, background vocals; Ricardo Medina Jr., button accordion, bajo sexto and bass; Jess Coach Noriega, lead vocals and background vocals; Edwardo Rivas, drums and percussion; and Leon Snchez, bass, lead vocals and background vocals. Other Conjunto Ensemble students contributing to this project were Helamn Durn, Wilfredo Escamilla and David Gmez.

I would participate again, said Beatriz De Hoyos, a Business Management major. Its a stress reliever. I also do it for fun, so I enjoy it more.

The Palo Alto College Student Activity Fee funded this CD. To support the Palo Alto Conjunto Music Program, contributions to the Valerio Longoria Memorial Scholarship Fund are welcomed. This scholarship is for outstanding Conjunto students at Palo Alto College.

Im very proud of this CD and all of the students who perform on it, said Tejeda. We all learned a lot from the project.

For more information on Palo Altos Conjunto Program and classes, contact Tejeda at (210) 531-9504 or by email. Private classes in accordion, guitar, bass and more are offered.