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Los Changuitos Feos
ALMOST TWO CENTURIES old, mariachi music is world famous. Even so, its artistic complexity and the musicianship it demands to be played well have only been recognized of late.Born in the small villages of Jalisco and Guadalajara, Mexico, mariachi music is abundant with strings--violins, guitarrons, vihuelas and guitars make a warm, full rhythm section. One top of that sensual, rich sound are the singing trumpets and clear voices.
At once romantic, intense, and melodically sweet, it is a music that appeals to people all over Mexico and beyond. It's also one of the few Mexican musical styles that has remained basically unchanged over time. It still deeply reflects true Mexican artistic roots and Mexican culture.
Tucson is not an easy town in which to gain recognition as a mariachi group. There are dozens of groups playing here and we're also hosts to a major international mariachi festival every year. The competition is fierce in this city, so it's not an overstatement to say that winning the Tucson Area Music Award in this category carries some prestige.
Started by Father Charles Rourke, a priest and musician, in 1964, this mariachi group made up entirely of talented young musicians was originally intended as just a neighborhood project for Mexican-American kids.
It was hoped that it would involve them in something positive and rewarding, and would also serve to encourage pride in their culture. Rourke may not have imagined it would have this long a lifespan and such far reaching positive effects.
Through the quarter-century since it's beginning, scores of young musicians have graduated from this crucible to be star players in other famous mariachi groups. Mariachi Cobre, for example, now in contract at Disney's Epcot Center, is composed of Los Changuitos Feos graduates who "couldn't bear to stop playing with each other."
The group has won international competitions, played on national TV and toured extensively. Their proceeds go into a trust fund that helps provide scholarships to its graduates.
Los Changuitos Feos, although changing personnel through "generations" of players, has remained, and will continue to be a enduring source of pride for Tucson as whole.
--Janice Jarrett
Mariachi Aztlan
COMING BACK TO teach in his old high school, Richard Carranza found that Pueblo High School no longer had a rondalla performing group like it did when he was attending school there. But when the students found out he played mariachi, they convinced him to teach it after classes.
From there it developed into a full blown part of the curriculum, warmly supported by the school, and within three years Mariachi Aztlan was playing all over town--for service clubs, private parties, conventions and at official school functions.
The professional training Carranza insists on prepares the members of Mariachi Aztlan for any music they wish to play. As he says, "mariachi music is songs you heard at your grandmother's house, at your great grandfather's house--it's an instant bridge between generations."
Carranza has tremendous pride in his 19 players and in the music they make. His says his students know they "have a responsibility to their heritage and to the future. It's extremely valuable to have the young play authentic mariachi music."
--Janice Jarrett
