MIDLAND, Texas — The Legacy High School mariachi band is demonstrating mariachi music breaks barriers.
The mariachi program started in 2021, but the new Director Zach Machuca started the varsity performance group last fall. As of Jan. 30, there are at least 19 students with diverse backgrounds who are participating.
Mariachi is recognized as a type of traditional Mexican music that’s mostly comprised of Spanish lyrics. For some members, the language is not a barrier. Joash Jojo is a sophomore at LHS who plays the guitar and sings for Mariachi Revolucion.
“I don’t communicate in Spanish, but I just search up the words and I translate them with the help of my friends,” said Jojo. “I can sing it.”
Some of the students have been committed to memorizing the notes and lyrics despite never listening to Mariachi music before.
“Before I joined, I didn't know anything about it,” said Jojo. “So that kind of shows how uncommon this is in our generation. I think it would be great for it for it to expand across the nation.”
Ryeli Williams is a senior who plays the guitarron, a large bass guitar traditionally used in Mexican Mariachi groups.
“It means a lot more than just music,” said Williams. “It means you're expressing your feelings. You're telling someone everything, you're pouring your heart and soul into it.”
For some musicians such as Taevin Clark, becoming a part of Mariachi Revolución gave him the opportunity to explore and try something new.
“My family likes to do their own thing and I like to do my own,” said Clark,
“My aunt is Mexican, and I think she is proud of me for trying something new and being a part of her culture.”
Mariachi Revolución will advance to the State Festival in Seguin, TX., which is scheduled for Feb. 23-25 where the group will take on the best high school mariachi bands from across the state after a perfect score at the UIL Mariachi Festival in El Paso.