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Mariachi Joya Dorada de U-46 to Perform with National Mariachi Champions
Oct. 31, 2019
Middle and high school students in School District U-46’s Mariachi band, Mariachi Joya Dorada de U-46, will spend Monday, Nov. 4 learning from members of a nationally-recognized Mariachi group and then perform with them that evening in a free community concert at Streamwood High School.
Mariachi Sol Azteca, led by Marta Ocampo, is comprised of students from the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy in Grand Prairie, Texas. They won first place in the 2019 Jose Hernandez’ Mariachi Nationals this summer, and they are touring the Midwest this fall to share their knowledge and experiences with younger and developing Mariachi programs, including U-46's own Mariachi Joya Dorada de U-46.
U-46 started its Mariachi program in 2009 with guitar instruction offered to about 15 students at one school. It has expanded over the years to now include about 125 students at eight schools: Abbott, Canton, Ellis, Kimball, Larsen and Tefft middle schools and Elgin and Streamwood high schools. Instruction offered has grown to include guitar, guitarron, vihuela, violin, trumpet, and voice. Students practice at their own schools under teaching teams, and come together in various ensembles for about 30 performances each school year.
“I am extremely proud of how far our extracurricular Mariachi program has come since 2009,” said Fine Arts Coordinator Jaimie Giraldo. “This group represents the beautiful culture and heritage of many of our students, and we’re excited to share this traditional art form with our community."
The U-46 students will spend the morning together in workshops with Mariachi Sol Azteca at Streamwood High School where they will work on performance techniques, practice new music and showmanship, and talk about the benefits and challenges of life as a musician.
The groups will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. that evening for a free community concert featuring Mariachi Sol Azteca and the combined ensembles performing pieces that they learned earlier that day in workshops.
The concert is free and open to all. Donations will be accepted to support the growth of Mariachi Joya Dorada de U-46.
WHO: Members of Mariachi Joya Dorada de U-46 and Mariachi Sol Azteca.
WHAT: A free community concert featuring both groups.
WHERE: Streamwood High School Auditorium, 701 W. Schaumburg Road, Streamwood.
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m.