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Happy Birthday, Mariachi Music!
Tara A. Spears
Every September, Guadalajara celebrates Mexican music with the largest Mariachi Festival in the world. It begins with a parade through the main streets and continues with events such as: Mariachi Galas in the majestic Degollado Theater, popular free Mariachi performances in several parks and the National Charro Championship. What I like about mariachi music is that it is passionate and joyful; it’s a total sensory experience: the dynamic sound of 10 musicians, visual appeal in the charro costumes; kinetic because it draws you to your feet to dance. Mariachi music is a larger-than-life sound that reflects the culture of Mexico. Experiencing any of the concerts during September is an unforgettable experience and well worth the trip to Guadalajara.
The 33rd International Mariachi and Charrería Festival is happening now. For several days, Guadalajara is hosting concerts, galas, free shows, and competitions celebrating mariachi, charrería, and Jalisco culture. Between town parks, theaters and large stages, the Mariachi and Charrería festival brings together national and international musicians, tributes, symphonic concerts and charrería activities.
Historically organized by the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce, the festival celebrates Mariachi (named Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO) along with Tequila and Charrería, consolidating the three great icons of Mexican identity. The folkloric festival celebrates with concerts, music and dance performances, traditional charro championship and more than 50 free concerts.
This year’s festival agenda includes: a Grand Concert with Natalia Jiménez which is a symphonic performance featuring the Mariachi Internacional CHG and the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, who will share the stage with Natalia.
The Degollado Theater will host five themed galas featuring some of the world’s best mariachi groups, accompanied by the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra.
“Idols of Mexico” Gala features two giants of Mexican music: Vicente Fernández and Juan Gabriel. The show will bring together Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán, and the Orquesta Sinfónica para la Escena.
Free events at Plaza Liberación. Four days of Mexican music, dance, and folklore. In addition to artistic performances, this venue serves as a platform for performers of traditional music and for guest international mariachi groups.
The festival is not only about the music as there is a professional Charro Championship. Teams from different states across the country will compete at the traditional “Nito” Aceves Lienzo Charro, at the only festival in the world that includes a Charro Championship as part of its program. This uniquely Mexican form of music originated in Jalisco but has become an international genre. The mariachi sound is multicultural and is celebrated the entire month in Guadalajara.
In case you have not experienced Mariachi first hand, it is a type of music played by a group of musicians wearing dazzling outfits. The sound of the traditional Mexican mariachi music comes from the blending of instruments to create a distinctive and recognizable songs.
The Mariachi musician costume includes: embroidered jacket and pants, often with silver; Mexican necktie (mono); white shirt (often embroiders in cultural symbolism); leather boots, and gorgeous hats. Each of these elements contributes to the authenticity and unique style of the charro suit, from the leather boots to the hat adorned with intricate embroidery. The choice of a charro suit for special events, such as baptisms, is a sign of respect and admiration for Mexican tradition.
Mariachi music is a distinct type of traditional Mexican folk music that combines brass and string instruments. The music is accompanied by a distinctive singing style in its harmonies. Mariachi can feel rustic, aged, and inspiring in one moment, whimsical and comical in another song.
Although Mariachi began in the 1500s, by the end of the Mexican revolution in the early 1920s, the Mexican government began promoting mariachi. Mexican folk music was viewed as a unifying source of pride. The government pushed the uniquely Mexican style of mariachi music on the radio and in movies. Mexican mariachi band music became the most featured at political rallies in Mexico, and its most well-known musicians were catapulted into superstardom.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a mariachi band is that several musicians will often play the same instrument. This results in a loud style of music that has a festive feel. Mariachi has such an energetic sound.
According to Marriachi Music, typical instruments in a mariachi band include trumpets (adds a unique sparkle and emotional intensity), violins (in a mariachi group it often has a very dynamic role, alternating between thrilling solos and harmonic support for other instruments), acoustic guitars (adds a more percussive and robust sound, vihuelas (a guitar-shaped instrument with six double-strings), and guitarróns (large acoustic bass guitar). The guitar, vihuela and guitarrón form the rhythmic and harmonic backbone of mariachi, creating a solid foundation upon which melodies and vocals are built. Some mariachi bands also feature a Jalisco harp, and a Guitarra de golpe (small acoustic guitar). In addition to the specific instruments, mariachi utilizes a unique type of singing voice.
A mariachi band’s singers are integral to the ensemble’s sound. Masters of harmony, one interesting facet of the mariachi is the absence of a designated lead singer. Instead, the musicians take turns singing lead, often with different verses in the same song.
Another distinct characteristic of the mariachi band is the varied types of songs you’ll hear played. From traditional Mexican folk songs to numbers designed for specific types of dances, the one aspect you’ll find in every mariachi band is its versatility and range.
Whether lamenting lost love through sentimental and romantic boleros, revving up the crowd with foot-stomping country tunes (known as Canciones Rancheras), or encouraging folks to get out on the dance floor with a rowdy polka, mariachi music plays into all kinds of moods and emotions. Love, politics, country life, machismo, and death are common themes of mariachi music.
With such a vast and varied range of musical offerings, it’s no surprise that the genre is popular among people with Mexican heritage but also it attracts millions of followers from all different countries and cultures around the world. Mariachi is one of Mexico’s most treasured cultural exports.
