Mariachi School Band Music Education High School

UpClose: Noe Sanchez

Spicing up Music Education through Mariachi

The success of any music education program is predicated upon the ability to capture and retain student interest. The finest educators, most robust budget, and active parental and community support all matter little if the kids, themselves, are unengaged and apathetic. As such, it would behoove any music director to take note of the growth of mariachi programs over the past few years. Offering a different musical aesthetic and lower "price point" than many more traditional school music ensembles, mariachi is resonating with a number of students who perhaps might not otherwise be drawn to music education.

An accomplished mariachi performer in his own right, Noe Sanchez has been teaching mariachi at the Somerset (Texas) Independent School District since 2003 and is presently chairman for MENC's Mariachi Advisory Council. SBO spoke with Mr. Sanchez about what makes mariachi unique and why it is such a vital component of contemporary music education.