Mariachi Research Paper

Seemingly a harmless, mundane choice yet embroidered with great importance, I put on my mariachi suit that reminds me of passion and strength that I would need for the rest of my life. Choosing to be part of a youth mariachi group is the first of many decisions that had an impact on my personal growth. Six years later I am full of knowledge and integrity, but most importantly I found myself and I am now convinced that going to college is for me.

The music of mariachi is a lot more than just a band playing; it's a tradition that has been in Mexico for almost two centuries. It is really a wonderful Mexican tradition, from which, the fusion of our syncretism with life in the real day, becomes one. Where the song is art, is joyful celebration; It's a pause to problems and it's also pain, tears and feelings. Not only this, but it represents

Mexican culture all over the world. Even in countries where Spanish is not a first language, like USA, Italy, or Japan you can easily find a mariachi band.

Initially, in 2012 I joined a an after-school mariachi for immigrant youth called Mariachi Matters because my mom wanted my sister and I to get involved and it was free.

No one would have imagined that from that group I will learn to be responsible and to put passion into what I do. Learning music and being a leader of the trumpet secession made me realize that I can have a purpose in life and I have to strive for more in order to succeed. And it all came to me in 2014 when were invited to play at the capital and for the governor Bruce Rauner. From that day on I continued to practice and set higher goals for myself like trying some honor classes and making the National Junior Honor Society club. Unfortunately, we did not continue to grow with Mariachi Matters but I'm forever thankful because my teacher guided me through the right path and for telling me “Life is like a stair, there is always someone who is going to be below you and someone who is going to be above you so continue to work harder and help those who are under”. With that mentality I auditioned for the Latin Grammy and Billboard nominated Mariachi Herencia de

Mexico.

To this day the most significant cultural experience of my life was to be part of a youth mariachi from 2012 till 2018 and learn more about my culture through notes, harmony, and the wonderful mariachi music. For me this experience was so special because impact on my personal growth as I came to realize that I wanted to study and continue to embrace who I am. With time we learned that we were fortunate to be able to represent our culture and how proud we are to present works of my native culture.