Mariachi Music and Bands
Eli Barron, member of Mariachi Estrella de Austin, discusses the history of mariachi and its place in Austin culture. Barron that mariachi music is a traditional folkloric music, in which the musicians move around. The name comes from the French word for marriage, and Barron says that most mariachis mostly play at weddings. Most mariachi groups have a violing, guiatarron (bass guitar), vihuela (small guitar), trumpets and a regular guitar.
Billy Mendoza founded Mariachi Estrealla in 1975 with musicians from the Austin Mexican American Community. All of the musicians, including Barron, had previous experience playing instruments and with mariachi music. The groups hopes to create an institution that will preserve Mariachi music in Austin for years to come. They play many private engagements, including weddings and serenatas (day break serenades) throughout Austin. They also hope to record an album in the near future. Barron also explains that young people are beginning to discover and enjoy mariachi music.
KEYWORDS
Bass GuitarBilly Mendoza
Charros
Citizenship
Endericio Reyes
Fashion
Folclorico
Guitar
Guitarrón
Hector Santos
Illegal Alien
Johnson High School
Labor Market Discrimination
Manuel Limon
Mariachi Music
Mexico
Mother’s Day
Naturalization
Nick Reyes
Nuevo Laredo
Pop Music
Preserving Tradition
Rock and Roll
Rupert Ortiz
Second Generation
Serenata
Style
Troubador
Trumpet
Vihuela
Violin
Weddings