The vibrant sound of mariachi music is a staple at weddings, quinceañeras and the Grandview High School Music Room.

So popular that it had to be split into two daily classes per day, the mariachi program has about 70 students this school year. Attendees range from freshmen to seniors. Students with varying levels of experience can play the violin, trumpet, or any of the three types of guitars used in mariachi.

Many students in the high school band said they got their start in Grandview Middle School’s mariachi program. And over the years, their skills and pride have grown.

“I love what I do. I find it amazing that we can play these tunes and go out and play for people,” second-year trumpeter Leonardo Arzate said.

After a spectacular performance at a regional music competition, Mariachi Gran Vista has earned a spot in a state music competition scheduled for April 29 at Central Washington University. Thirteen mariachi students from all four levels will compete, with some of their classmates cheering them on.

Grow the group

Interest in mariachi has grown in recent years at school. Group director Scott Carson said six years ago when he took over he was asked to revitalize the program, which had just a dozen students.

Although he had experience teaching music at other schools in Washington, he had no mariachi experience. Thus, he was inspired by his students’ own stories with the mariachi.

He asked his students which songs they knew because it would be easier for him to learn and for them to perform. Their knowledge compensates for his lack of experience, but they are not always perfect.

“I made a lot of mistakes the first year,” he said.

He said the first year was all about building relationships. And his approach paid off. The following year, students who had dropped out of the program began to return, he said. Word of mouth spread that the new manager was taking this seriously.

Mariachi Pride

Students involved in mariachi this year have many reasons to join us. For some students, it was as simple as a general interest in music. But for others, the mariachi is something that has been with them all their lives.

First-year violinist and vocalist Paola Lara Campos said she was drawn to the band because of her background.

“I wanted to participate in mariachi because it was my culture, something I always listened to growing up,” she said. “Mariachi music is beautiful.”

About 85% of the city of Grandview’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, according to the US Census Bureau.

Mikaela Ramos, senior violinist and president of the mariachi band, said mariachi was a way for her to connect with her Mexican heritage.

“I think it’s really important from a cultural perspective,” she said. “As I know the majority of us are pretty much Mexican, Hispanic, and a lot of the parents are actually from Mexico, I would say, here. So I think it’s just about getting in touch with their culture.

Some mariachi students have family members performing in outside mariachi bands, and a few have said they want to continue playing mariachi in college or beyond.

Sunnyside High School, also in the Lower Valley, also offers a mariachi program.

Group manager Carson said he would like to see this grow.

“You could make a very strong argument for just about any high school between the Tri-Cities and Yakima and even beyond to have a program,” he said.

Upcoming contests

Mariachi Gran Vista earned a top score in the Yakima Valley Music Education Association regional competition in February and qualified to compete in the Washington Music Educators Association competition on April 29 at Central Washington University.

Carson said the competition group is largely student-led and he’s proud of their hard work. He would like to see them recognized at the state competition next month.

It was the job of group president Ramos to choose the students who competed. She was looking not only for talent, but for commitment.

She said that at the start of the year she was a little nervous about their prospects, as the pandemic kept the band from performing together for over a year. But after months of training and recent success, she has a good idea of ​​their chances.

“Just hearing how we played at regionals, I’m really confident that we’re going to place this year,” she said. “I feel good about the state competition.”