Author, Scholar, Mariachi Music Educator Dr. Jeff Nevin Highlights TAMIU’s Mariachi Music Workshop April 28-29

Participants in this month’s Mariachi Music Workshop, April 28-29 at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), will be able to tap into the expertise of an author, award-winning classical composer, educator and founder of mariachi performing groups to fuel their passion for mariachi music.

Dr. Jeff Nevin will provide a session for high school directors on how to create and build a mariachi program, how to write for mariachi and fundraising.  Additionally, over 300 high schools students and their respective directors will attend Workshop, which is being led by TAMIU Artists in Residence, Mexico’s revered Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Guadalajara.

Dr. Nevin is currently professor of Music and director of Mariachi Activities at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and is developing a mariachi curriculum, the first of its kind.

His book, “Virtuoso Mariachi,” was published by University Press of America (2002). He is currently writing a full line of method books that will allow mariachi music to be easily inserted into "traditional" music programs anywhere.

Nevin has lectured to music educators across the country about incorporating mariachi music into public school curricula, and is the artistic director of the Mariachi Scholarship Foundation.

Nevin has a connection to Laredo in his former Arizona State University student, Oswaldo A. Zapata Correa, now a TAMIU instructor who directs the TAMIU Mariachi International.  Zapata has been active in the planning of this year’s International Mariachi Music Workshop.

The performance, dubbed De México Para El Mundo, is a scholarship benefit for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students.  It will also feature a first-ever performance with the Laredo Phil Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m. at the Laredo Independent School District’s Civic Center. Workshop students will participate alongside Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Guadalajara.  Tickets are $50, $35 and $25 each and are available as follows:

Wednesday, April 27

TAMIU

Bursars                                               2:00 -7:00 pm

Thursday, April 28

TAMIU

Bursars                                               8:00am-3:00 pm

Student Center Ballroom                      3:30 -5:00 pm

FPA Recital Hall  Lobby                         7:00-9:00 pm

Friday, April 29

TAMIU

Bursars                                               8:00am-2:00 pm

Student Center Ballroom                       3:00 -4:30 pm               

FPA Recital Hall Lobby                           7:00 -9:00 pm

Saturday, April 30

Laredo Civic Center Lobby                      2:00 pm

Dr. Nevin received his Bachelor of Music degree in music theory and composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1990. He received his Master of Music degree in music theory and composition in 1992 from Arizona State University. He earned his Ph.D. in music theory and composition from the University of California at San Diego in 1998.

For additional information on Concert tickets, please call 956.326.2273 or email mariachi@tamiu.edu.  For additional information on the Workshops, please call, 956.326.2273 or email mariachi@tamiu.edu 

See a video of the collaboration with TAMIU students in the Artist in Residence Program here: http://youtu.be/dwwvCkEIuX4 

Online information about Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Guadalajara is available here: http://nuevotecalitlan.com/