Texas Southmost College Enchants Visitors with Inaugural Mariachi Festival

BROWNSVILLE, April 20th – The inaugural TSC Mariachi Festival, hosted by Texas Southmost College, attracted over 600 visitors and showcased the talents of more than 500 students and performers from around Texas. The festival unfolded over two exhilarating days filled with workshops, competitions, and performances at TSC’s Jacob Brown Auditorium and Performing Arts Center, resonating with the vibrant sounds of mariachi music across the campus. 

Middle and high school students participated in various competitions, with Mariachi Oro from McAllen High School winning the grand champion group performance award. Individual accolades for best vocal performances went to Matteo Lopez of IDEA Pharr and Lea Garcia of McAllen High School. 

A diverse array of workshops offered students the opportunity to learn from accomplished musicians, including TSC Music Program Director and Mariachi Escorpion Director Avigai Gonzalez, Karina Vela of Mariachi Margarita, Texas Southmost College Mariachi Escorpion, and UTRGV Mariachi Aztlan. These sessions provided invaluable mentorship and skill enhancement tailored to the student’s chosen instruments. 

The festival concluded on Saturday with a highlight concert featuring Embajadores Del Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez. In a special showcase, the Festival Grand Champion, Mariachi Oro from McAllen High School, had the distinguished opportunity to open for the renowned mariachi group.   

Avigai Gonzalez, the festival’s principal organizer, expressed her profound gratitude and joy over the event’s success. “Our inaugural Texas Southmost College Mariachi Festival was a resounding success, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who attended, supported, and believed in our vision,” Gonzalez stated. “This weekend was truly amazing, demonstrating how mariachi music can enrich our children and unite a community.” 

 TSC Mariachi Festival Competition Winners

Vocal Competition:

Middle School Category 

1st Place
Matteo Lopez – IDEA Pharr 

2nd Place 
Karol Ramirez – Roma Middle School 

3rd Place 
Yareli Cano – Fossum Middle School

High School Category 

1st Place 
Lea Garcia – McAllen High School 

2nd Place
Dante Ramos – La Joya High School 

3rd Place 
Michelle A. Meraz – Rio Grande City High School 

MARIACHI PERFORMANCE: 

Middle School Category 

1st Place  
Mariachi Escandon – Roma Middle School  

2nd Place  
Mariachi Juvenil Santander – Ramiro Barrera Middle School  

3rd Place 
Mariachi Leon – IDEA Pharr Middle School  

5A High School JV Category 

1st Place 
Mariachi Los Lobos JV – La Joya Palmview High School 

2nd Place 
Mariachi Sol de Oro JV – Valley View High School  

3rd Place 
Mariachi Azteca JV – James Nikki Rowe High School  

5A Varsity Category 

1st Place  
Mariachi Oro – McAllen High School  

2nd Place 
Mariachi Los Lobos – La Joya Palmview High School  

3rd Place 
Mariachi Azteca – James Nikki Rowe High School    

6A JV Category  

1st Place
Mariachi Halcón Dorado JV – Los Fresnos High School 

2nd Place  
Mariachi Dorado JV – Edinburg North High School 

3rd Place  
Mariachi Nuevo Cascabel – San Marcos High School  

6A Varsity Category 

1st Place 
Mariachi Primer Orgullo – Edinburg High School  

2nd Place  
Mariachi Los Coyotes – La Joya High School  

 3rd Place 
Mariachi Oro – Edinburg North High School  

 Grand Champion 
Mariachi Oro – McAllen High School