Monday, March 11, 2024
This year I have taken on an exciting new challenge: I started a mariachi ensemble at my middle school. I came to this decision in a somewhat roundabout way. My main instrument is the double bass, and as a bassist I've spent my musical life playing in both orchestras and jazz bands. As an educator, I've spent the past few years assisting with the jazz bands at my school, and through that I've seen countless students who were average (or even below average) in concert band thrive and become leaders in that different ensemble. I wanted to provide a similar opportunity for my Orchestra students. However, violins, violas, and cellos don't fit in a traditional jazz band, so mariachi seemed like the answer.
The result has been invigorating. Several students who could not fit choir in their schedule have relished the opportunity to get to sing as well as play an instrument. Our group rehearses before school as an extracurricular activity, and while additional rehearsal time always results in better musicians, playing this new style has had a huge impact on the students' orchestral playing. Singing has helped our intonation, and in mariachi my students are exposed to rhythms and bowings that they don't see in their orchestra literature, and they've become much more solid players because of it.
Another benefit has been for the guitar players in the building. My school does not offer guitar instruction, but many kids take private lessons, usually in rock and pop styles. Before starting the mariachi ensemble, the only outlet students had to play guitar in our school's ensembles was as part of jazz band, and that music, with its many altered chords, has usually been beyond the capabilities of our students. I'm proud that we now have an ensemble that meets the students where they are.
Mariachi is a great outlet for learning how culture and music go hand-in-hand. While my school does have a sizable Hispanic population, they are in the minority. Students from all backgrounds have joined our group and are excited to learn. My Hispanic students are eager to share their knowledge and have become leaders in the ensemble. We have also had the privilege of collaborating with our Spanish teachers in the building. They have loved making connections with their curriculum and have helped the non-Spanish speakers in the group with accurate pronunciation of lyrics.
Mariachi was not necessarily a natural fit for me. I did not grow up with mariachi music, nor did I receive any instruction on it in college. To educate myself I've listened to recordings and attended concerts, read books and articles, and most importantly, I've reached out to mariachi musicians and teachers. Through their encouragement and support they have made stepping out of my comfort zone a lot less uncomfortable. I still have a lot to learn to make the group sound truly authentic, but this is a musical journey I'm excited to go on. I would encourage other Orchestra educators to consider incorporating mariachi into their instruction.
It's easy to start small - maybe just by listening or watching a video. There are several arrangements of mariachi standards that do not require trumpets, guitars, or any other instruments not usually found in a string orchestra. These standards are easily approachable for string orchestras and will introduce students to a style of music they may not be familiar with. Mariachi has enhanced our school musically and culturally by bringing our community together through the exploration of this incredible musical style.
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