Inspired By The Magic Of Mariachi

Casa Grande students who attend Casa Verde school are now learning Mexican musical genre. Like many other schools in the district there are barely any music and art programs to begin with let lone programs for stringed instruments. With the growing problem of the economy, schools are barely hanging on with reduced funding. Steve Heil, principal of Casa Verde school talked to his students and found they had such a desire for a music program specifically to focus on instruments such as Violin, Cello, Guitar and Trumpet. Steve Heil decided to jump in and get involved, knowing that music is a critical part of these children’s education, which they so yearn for. This further reinforces that music is a vital need of child and human growth.

Several parents chose to get involved and the program has become reality to these students. One parent Kim Calderone who is the owner of Accelerate the Arts mobile music store got Maureen Berger involved in the project, who is the musical director at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and president of Golden Corridor Center for the Arts. This is a non- profit organization that provides string lessons to children and adults, puts on concerts and develops adult and youth orchestras in Pinal County.

These students are dedicated to what they so desire. They have agreed to give up their lunch break in order to hold practice classes. These students are forming a Mariachi band with very little funding and relying on organizations and donations for help. They are planning a dinner fund raiser in late April to help raise money for this program. Please contact Golden Corridor Center for the Arts, Inc.,

520-421-0911
Contact Person: Maureen Berger
P.O. Box 12484
Casa Grande, AZ 85230

For those who are not familiar with this type of music, here is a definition: Mariachi is a type of musical group, originally from Cocula, Jalisco, Mexico. Usually a Mariachi consists of at least three violins, two trumpets, one Mexican guitar, one vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar) one guitarrÃ³n (a small-scaled acoustic bass) and occasionally a harp. They dress in silver studded charro outfits with wide-brimmed hats. Many Mariachis are professional entertainers doing paid gigs in the mainstream entertainment industry. Professionals are normally skilled at more than one instrument, and they also sing.

The fact that these students want to focus on this type of music shows their level of commitment. Mariachi music is not easy to learn. The biggest challenge is the trumpets,because they are all in sharp scales and keys. Mariachi music also is accompanied by a dance called Folklorico.

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