Mariachi has landed at Texas Southmost College in a big way! High school students can be part of the cultural sound at the inaugural TSC Mariachi Summer Camp.
The camp will take place on TSC’s historic campus from July 10th-12th.
Registration is $75 dollars and will include lunch each day plus a beautiful, originally designed, TSC mariachi camp shirt.
Participants of all skill levels can expect to be taught by experienced mariachi instructors and performers before ending the three-day camp with an exciting concert on their own on July 12th
The camp will be led by Music Program Administrator Avigai Gonzalez, who has recently been brought on to the TSC team to guide the Mariachi Escorpion, the college’s very own mariachi.
“We want to help the programs around the area, a lot of high schools are starting mariachi programs,” Gonzalez said. Mariachi in the education setting has taken off over the last few years. High Schools across the Rio Grande Valley continue to earn high marks, top finishes, and even a film showcased at the Sundance Film Festival.
Campers will learn from Gonzalez along with San Benito Mariachi and Orchestra Director, Karina Vela as well as Antonio Delgadillo, who is Mariachi Director at Ramiro Barrera Middle School in Roma.
“I wanted to offer something that can help students and directors get a head start of what the school year is going to look like and what mariachi is all about,” Gonzalez said. “I also wanted to provide some sort of music so they can kick off the school year with music that students are familiar with.”
Gonzalez, who performs with her group Mariachi Margaritas, is excited about the program that will start putting down local roots in the Fall.
She hopes to offer both a beginner and advanced level at TSC, this mariachi camp will be a key recruitment tool to show students there is a higher educational option to continue their playing careers.
“My goal is to be the source of help where students can reach out and know that TSC is here to help in any way,” she said. “Our goal is to get these students onto campus and have them know that our campus is here to openly learn music regardless of their level.”
Perspective music students can sign up for mariachi and other music programs. Texas Southmost College music programs include guitar, piano, mariachi and more.
The performance at the end of the camp looks to be the shining moment. Students can showcase their ability to learn quickly and take the experience back to their mariachi, band and orchestra halls back in their respective high schools.
“We want them to enjoy what they learned that way they can wrap up the mariachi camp with a feeling of ‘oh my God, I learned something new I didn’t know I was capable of playing this instrument with this type of music,’ she said. “It’s important for them to feel accomplished.”
You can see the camp’s webpage at: https://www.tsc.edu/news/mariachi-escorpion/ or sign-up using the following link: https://us-elevate.elluciancloud.com/app/tsc/f?p=PV_ONLINE_REG:101:::::APP_COURSE_INSTANCE:39891928
