The 10 members of Western's AS Mariachi club stand up on stage, picking, strumming and bowing their instruments while the vocalist sings in Spanish. While the audience may not understand the lyrics, they don't need to. The music alone will get the point across.

“This kind of music is really cheery and it’s very festive and when it’s played everyone gets happy,” said Western freshman and club creator Maritza Soto. “I like seeing the joyful faces of people who listen. It’s really beautiful.”

Mariachi is traditional Mexican folk music, said Soto, who plays violin and sings for the group.

Soto said she created the club as a way to showcase a type of music uncommon in the Pacific Northwest. Mariachi bands are more commonly seen in places such as Texas and Mexico, but not many exist in Washington, she said.

Traditionally, mariachi music uses trumpet, violin, guitar and guitarrón, said Aaron Shay, Western junior and club member.

The guitarrón is a large, six-string acoustic bass that resembles a guitar. Since guitarróns are used only in Latin music, they’re not very common, so group makes do with out them, Shay said.

Mariachi music also uses a bass and vocals on some songs, said Western sophomore Sam Morones, who plays violin in the band. Soto said mariachi is part of her culture.

“I’m Mexican and a music major,” she said. “I wanted to combine those two.”

The band has performed in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room and for other AS clubs.

Playing last winter quarter at the AS club showcase for new students for an hour was relaxing, Shay said.

“There was no introduction or big speech; we just played in three different spots on campus,” Shay said. “There were a lot of people cheering, clapping, singing. The way the audience gets into it, they really know how to kick us into gear.”

Morones said he enjoys playing his violin with the mariachi band because it is an alternative style of music.

“I don’t usually get to play in a full band,” said Shay, who plays guitar. “Playing for an audience is the best part. When they sing or dance along to a well-know song, I love feeding off that energy from them.”

Shay said the songs can use the same structure and chords as the blues, a style of music he is more familiar with. This has made it easier for him to keep up with the rest of the band, he said.

Mariachi music is special in Mexican culture, Soto said.

“When it gets played there is so much pride in it,” she said. “It dates back as far as the early 1800s. It has been played by Mexicans since [Mexico] became a country.”

The mariachi band has been hired to play this June at a quinceañera in Mount Vernon, Soto said. A quinceañera is a large party to celebrate the 15th birthday of a girl, she said.

The club practices at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the Performing Arts Center in whatever room is available at the time, Soto said.

Be first to comment on this article

Only registered users can post comments.
Please login or register.