Crowded lines excitedly filled the entrance to the UT San Antonio Recital Hall where Mariachi Juvenil de UTSA, Mariachi los Paisanos, Voces del Futuro Mariachi and participating high schools celebrated Mexican culture through pride and cheer.

A resounding welcome from the Mariachi Juvenil de UTSA ensemble lightened the audience. The celebration commenced with Mariachi Juvenil de UTSA Guitarist Alfredo Bamaca performing “México Lindo y Querido.” 

Trumpets danced with the violins while guitars swayed to the patriotic ballad. The singer entered the arrangement with a dance of his own, startling the instruments and audience with a confused acceptance of the struggling vocalist. Fast paced swings of the violins and the passionate strings of the guitars closely worked with powerful trumpets to ensure a path to the singer, but Bamaca took a detour, giving a complete spotlight to the ensemble. The first performance ended with a chorus of applause; the audience eagerly anticipated what was coming next. 

The brassy trumpets and melancholic tunes announced the beginning of “Costumbres.” Mariachi Juvenil de UTSA Trumpeter Isabella Guerra’s faint notes softly joined the ensemble, hinting hesitation between the heart-wrenching lyrics, but that did not cease the delivery of desperate yearning within the song. Guerra joined hands with Mariachi Juvenil de UTSA to conclude the performance, drawing tearful smiles from the audience.

Mariachi Juvenil de UTSA Guitarist Diego Rosas began “Te Quise Olvidar” with confidence, independent from the ensemble. His assertive stance in front of the large crowd drew a chorus of thunderous applause as instruments slowly joined in. The song came to a close with the audience bewildered by the intensity in which the performance showed its gratitude and love towards Mexican music.

The ensemble signaled the beginning of violinist and vocalist Kathleen Espinoza’s performance. “Urgue” perplexed the attendees. Espinoza delivered a performance in which the audience could not hold back their tears. Espinoza’s vivid passion conveyed her feelings through the evocative lyricism. People in the crowd covered their mouths, amazed by the power that united Espinoza and the mariachi to showcase their love through music. 

Throughout the night, many performances demonstrated the talent and passion UT San Antonio’s mariachi and gifted high school student ensembles have for México’s colorful and prideful music. 

“It’s just fun to share the music of my tradition to others,” violinist Malachi Landin expressed. 

“The whole culture is a big part of my family and who we are, so just being a part of that community, that’s what makes the feeling of the music,” Espinoza shared.

The performance closed with the highlight of the night, “El Cascabel.” A celebration held on stage invited the audience to be a part of the festivities. 

The merry guitar swings opened the door to the listeners. Harps tiptoed their way to the entrance followed by the aggressive trumpets who led the song. Violins had their own party, and guitars hysterically knocked on their door to be a part of the grandiose celebration. Harps and trumpets danced hand in hand, later accompanied by spontaneous individual guitar solos. 

In between plays, the musicians encouraged each other with whistles and comments that hyped up the ensemble. The audience joined the celebration, clapping, whistling and singing with the performers. As the song grew closer to its end, the musicians and audience came together to sing the song’s grand finale. The crowd grew louder, and excitement filled each of the seats in the UT San Antonio Recital Hall.

As the night ended, “Voces del Futuro: A celebration with the next generation of mariachis” left the audience astounded. The crowd walked into the night prideful and in awe of the successful performance that proved the culture of mariachi is in safe hands.