the farmyard courtship described in the verses of the sones. Mariachi VargasMariachi goes back hundreds of years; there are no Bachs or Beethovens in its history because Mariachi music was the music of the country people. Until the 1930’s Mariachi groups were local and semi-professional. They were almost entirely unknown outside their region. This began to change 60 years ago, when the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitl`an n, founded by Gaspar Vargas in 1898, went from Jalisco to Mexico City. Silvestre Vargas, who had taken over from his father as leader of the Mariachi Vargas in 1928, soon hired a trained musician, Rubi n Fuentes, as musical director. Fuentes, still actively involved with the Mariachi Vargas more than fifty years later, is one of the towering figures in development of the Mariachi. By the 1950’s Mariachi musicians had to learn to read music. This changed the way Mariachi music moved from one group to another. Gone was the total reliance of the musicians on their ears to pick up new songs, and techniques. With the addition of 2 trumpets, a classical guitar and more violins, by the 1950’s the Mariachi ensemble had become a complete, adaptable orchestra, with the ability to retain its traditional base while it was assimilating new musical ideas and styles. Mariachi at Special OccasionsMariachis often help celebrate the great moments in the lives of the Mexican people. With the serenata (serenade), the Mariachi participates in the rite of courtship. Mariachi music has been incorporated into the Roman Catholic Church’s most sacred ritual: the Mass. Mariachis influence on the United StatesMariachi is found in all educational forms ranging from grade school all the way through universities. USC has over 13 Mariachi clubs and groups and can be found at any other university. Mariachi is also entertainment while dining out at restaurants, El Presidente on Friday nights has a Mariachi group in the bar, and many ...
