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Posted: 4/26/18

Competition Winners, Scholarship Recipients Named for TAMIU 2018 International Mariachi Festival

 

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LAREDO -- The winners of the high school, individual and sectional competitions in the 2018 Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) International Mariachi Festival have been named.

Over 400 students representing 17 high schools from around the state gathered at TAMIU for the three-day workshop, competition and concert featuring México’s legendary Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán April 19-21. Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán are the University’s Artists-in-Residence for this event, now in its fourth year of offer. They conducted workshops, auditions and helped juror the event.

Dr. Minita Ramírez, TAMIU vice president of Student Success, said the 2018 event was the largest in the Festival’s history.

“We were delighted to welcome students and their directors to this unique competition experience which provides participants with a remarkable opportunity to truly learn and perform with masters of this music art form. This year’s event also featured a first-ever competition among participants,” Dr. Ramírez said.

The high school competition was divided into a Novice and Encore categories.

“Our Novice category is for those high school clubs that are formed to celebrate and perform mariachi music.  Our Encore category is for those groups that have formal academic classes in mariachi music that are part of scheduled course offerings,” she explained.

In the Novice Category, Third Place went to Laredo United High School’s Mariachi del Sur, director: Jose Castro. Second Place went to Laredo United South High School Varsity Mariachi Imperial del Sur, director Roberto Ortiz. First Place was awarded to Laredo’s Cigarroa High School, Mariachi Azteca, director Servando Serna.

In the Encore Category, Third Place went to the Valley’s Sharyland High School’s Mariachi Nuevo Cascabel, directors Juan C. Lopez and Juan G. Vasquez. Second Place was awarded to Laredo’s Martin High School Varsity Mariachi Los Tigeres del Sur, director Ruben Guadian. First Place winners were Kyle’s Lehman High School Mariachi Los Lobos, director Joseph Baird.  As First Place Award recipients, Mariachi Los Lobos served as opening act at the Saturday, April 21 public Concert of Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán. The Concert also serves as a scholarship benefit.

Sectional winners were: Best Violin Section – Lehman High School; Best Harmonia – Martin High School; Best Trumpets – Somerset High Schooland Best Vocal – Lehman High School.

Individual Student winners selected as recipients of $1000 TAMIU Scholarships included: Violin: Paulina Aguilar Somerset High School; Guitar: Alejandro Guerrero, Jr. – Martin High School; Vihuela – Jorge Sánchez – Martin High School;Guitarrón – Desiree Avizu - Somerset High School;Harp – Rogelio Guerra – Martin High School; Trumpet – Claudia Gutíerrez – Martin High School and Voice – Osvaldo Chacón – Del Rio High School.

The 2019 TAMIU International Mariachi Festival will be held April 25-28, 2019. For more information, call the TAMIU Office of Student Success at 326.2273 or email mariachi@tamiu.edu

Additional information is available at www.tamiu.edu and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

Members of the
Members of the Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán thrill audiences at the scholarship benefit concert that concluded this year's International Mariachi Festival at Texas A&M International University.