“Mariachi Los Caciques”(The Mariachi Chiefs aka The Lake View Mariachis) performed “Por El Amor A La Musica” (For the Love of Music) for friends, family, and benefactors at their fundraiser dinner Tuesday night. All proceeds will support the Lincoln Middle School and Lake View High Mariachi program.
Since 2013 the programs have grown under the direction of Rosendo Ramos, from five students to more than 230 budding musicians, earning numerous statewide accolades on their journey.
Angelo Civic Hall was decorated with papel picado from stem to stern. Attendees were treated to a 12-song performance with an encore, from 18 students in the Varsity Band. Along with a full Tex-Mex feast, attendees enjoyed buckets full of ice-cold Jarritos, and a silent auction.
The rows of violins, trumpets and guitarróns played in perfect form, and the chorus of students’ voices filled the hall with beautiful harmonics.
“The [mariachi] program was dwindling down in 2013 at Central,” says Ramos.
Mariachis Reborn
Ramos helped revitalize the program. After teaching Mariachi in Odessa for two years, he began working as a band director at Central High.
“They asked me if I would be interested in rebooting the program,” he recalled. “I started at Lincoln during the ’14-’15 school year, and then in the ‘16-‘17 year we began the program at Lake View.
“It’s been a lot of work. Coming in as a non-traditional ensemble, we’re kind of the outcasts. We had to build the momentum.
“We not only teach the fundamentals of music, but we teach them to build their confidence. Students are often shy; we try to push them to go out there and sing. Singing is therapeutic — one time, and the students are hooked.
“And that leads to confidence in everything else. Part of getting them ready for the real world.”
Before each song, a performer thanked patrons, celebrating what was important to them about the program. The highlight of the evening was watching the soloist take to the floor, microphone-in-hand, and sing directly to their loved ones and community.
The fundraiser is a true community effort. The parents and grandparents of the musicians staffed the event, while fellow students attend the tables. While the musicians waltzed down the rows, they handed out flower bouquets to their parents, mentors, and friends.
May 3 Bond Election Will Decide Future of Mariachi Program
The school bond election in May will decide the future for many SAISD programs. Los Caciques will be no different.
New funding will allow them to build their facility, and give the growing program a permanent home.
“We’re really hoping that people get out there and vote,” says Ezra Ramirez, who started as a volunteer for the program and has now taken on the role of assistant director.
“I’m told about five-percent of the voters get out there and decide these things for everybody.”
“We are investing in the future of our students. A lot of our facilities are not in great shape. We hope that every student in our district can have a better experience,” Ramirez added.
“At Lincoln we have seventy-five students as beginners in sixth grade. We let the student pick the instrument, but sometimes we’re limited in our selection. When we run into limitations, we have to improvise in order to support that student studying music and Mariachi.”
Anyone who gets the chance to play alongside these musicians after they move on from the program will find they are extremely proficient. The care and dedication shown by Ramos and his directors is evident in every moment of their performance.
You can support Mariachi Los Caciques by seeing them in concert, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 14 at Lake View High School, 900 E. 43rd St.
Donations help the program purchase uniforms, instruments, and travel expenses for their UIL competitions.
See some of their performances by following this link — The Lake View Mariachi.
1 Comment
These kids were terrific. I thoroughly enjoyed the program. Onward and upward. Rosendo Ramos is a gift to this community.