By Marc Speir
University News Service
April 14, 2008

The ninth annual “La Feria del Mariachi Concert” will be held April 26 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum at Texas State University-San Marcos.

This year’s concert will be hosted by master of ceremonies Alberto Alegre and presents the Mariachi Campanas de America, the High Priestess of Operachi, Juanita Ulloa, and the first place winners from this year’s Varga Extraveganza, Texas State’s own mariachi ensemble, Nueva Generación.

“We have a new and exciting component this year with Juanita Ulloa,” said John Lopez, professor in the School of Music and director of Multicultural Music Ensembles. “She’ll be doing a classical piece combined with mariachi music and we’re all really excited to see it.”

Texas State students may purchase tickets at the door for $5 with a university ID the day of the event. Tickets ($15 for preferred seating, $10 regular seating and $5 for children ages 13 and under) for all others may be purchased at the door, the main office in the School of Music (512-245-2651), or in advance at two locations in San Marcos: Taqueria El Charro and Victory Cleaners.

A reception concert by Texas State’s award-winning Salsa del Rio will also be held in Sewell Park on April 25 from 7-10 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public. Food and beverages can be purchased at the event.

More than 200 middle and high school student participants will be on campus April 25-26 for two days of instructional seminars focusing on various aspects of the mariachi musical art form. Everything from personalized instruction on the various instruments used in mariachi music and vocal technique to stage presence, arrangement and the traditions of mariachi are included in the two-day event.

Participants for the competition portion of the weekend come from high schools, middle schools and colleges around the state.

The instruction culminates in a mariachi competition April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Evans auditorium. The performance is free and open to the public.

The first 300 Texas State students to drop by the main office in the School of Music at room 101 are eligible to receive free tickets to the “La Feria del Mariachi Concert.”

For additional information, visit the Texas State Multi-Cultural Music home page at www.txstate.edu/mcmusic.