Musical Heritage

Over the years, music has had the unique ability to bring people together, which is what happened at the UTA Central Library on Sept. 20. 

Students taking Dr. Leah McCurdy's art class and the public got a musical education about mariachi music and its history.  

This lesson was given by the student band Mariachi Los Jinetes, The Riders, whose focus is on expressing and spreading Latin American music and culture.  

The Texas State Historical Association website states that Mariachi music started in the 1700s with regional music groups near Jalisco, Mexico.  

Angel Hinojosa, the band's bassist, stated that early on, mariachi was composed of farmhands who were forced to perform by their bosses for social gatherings around ranches. He noted that "mariachi eventually evolved into its own musical style." 

Jacob Antunez, one of the band's guitarists, was asked how he started playing music. 

He told the crowd that as he started to learn music, he had to catch up with the more advanced students. This drive and desire caused Jacob to work harder and learn different styles of music, which led him to mariachi music.  

Jacob saw the band perform, immediately asking if he could join. After receiving the band's approval, he started performing with them at gigs.  

Jacob described mariachi music as a personal conversation, referring to the musical genre as the "language of the soul." 

The audience asked about the clothes that mariachis wear, asking if there was meaning behind it.  

Band members told the audience that the original form of the mariachi dress was simple in design but later merged over time into the cowboy style. Some of these designs incorporated flowers or nature into the clothing.  

They also shared that mariachis took styling cues from wealthy Spanish benefactors early on. One example the band pointed out was how mariachis modified small ties the Spanish would wear. They would cut pieces of cloth into strips and tie them, making it a more affordable garment instead of something out of reach.  

Jazmin Huerta, one of the band's guitarists, pointed out different elements of a mariachi uniform in an example on display.  

Some of these elements include the skirt with metal studs and hairpiece for a female mariachi, the vest, the jacket, the belt and the boots.  

Jazmin noted that sombreros would only be worn for professional performances and public events.  

Mariachi Los Jinetes carry on a proud tradition that is reflected with each note that they play. We at UTA Libraries are happy to have them as part of our university community.  

If you didn't get the chance to see their performance at the Central Library, check out their Instagram page for more information about the group.