Mariachi Nueva Generación wins big at national competition

By Kristina Kenney
University News Service
December 12, 2011

Texas State University-San Marcos Mariachi Nueva Generación students took home top honors for their performances at the 17th annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio Nov. 27-Dec. 4.

The group of Texas State students were awarded first place in the group competition, giving Mariachi Nueva Generación its fifth first place win in the last six years.

Sophomore Karen Zavala placed second during the vocal competition, and senior Celeste Rios took home the first place trophy. Rios also won the honor of being named best vocalist in the U.S. for the entire vocal competition that day.

Mariachi Nueva Generación was established at Texas State in the fall of 1997. The class is dedicated to the study and performance of the true Mexican art form known as mariachi. The group performs music in many styles such as son, huapango, bolero and polka among many others. Since its creation, Texas State Mariachi Nueva Generación has established itself as one of the leading university mariachis in Texas.

The annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza serves as a platform to promote cultural preservation and higher education among the Hispanic community. The event attracts colleges and universities throughout the nation with the best mariachi music programs such as the University of Texas-Pan Am in Edinburg, Texas State, Texas A&M Kingsville, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Berklee College of Music in Boston, Harvard University and the University of Texas.

For more information, please contact John Lopez at (512) 245-7401 or at johnlopez@txstate.edu.