From Chicago to Texas: First Mariachi Instrumentalist Graduate Student Recalls His Journey

"It's cool to go to school and finally feel like you fit in," said Miguel Cervantes, the first instrumentalist graduate student who plays the violin in the Texas State mariachi ensemble Mariachi Nueva Generación. Miguel's mariachi journey started as a young boy growing up near Chicago, Illinois, with Latin music influencing his entire life.

Although his father was a part of a mariachi band, Miguel recognized that mariachi music and culture were not popular in the Midwest. There were few opportunities for people to learn about mariachi music and how to play it. In addition, his father initially discouraged him from becoming involved.

"My dad didn't want me to become a mariachi player at first because he only saw the bad side of mariachi. He didn't see the benefits of it," Miguel said. "He saw the side of mariachi that plays gigs in bars, drugs are involved, and he didn't want that for me." However, these words of caution could not keep him away from the genre.

Despite his father's hesitations, at 13 years old, Miguel started taking violin lessons and joined his father's mariachi band, in which he spent over a decade as a contributing musician. He developed a good ear for learning music, listening to rhythms and sounds of melodies to play along, and learned all he could from his father. His father was a self-taught mariachi musician who passed down as much knowledge as possible to his son. Still, Miguel felt a passion for expanding his education about music and eventually enrolled in VanderCook College of Music in Chicago to obtain a bachelor's degree in music education. During his time at VanderCook, he was trained by a professional opera singer and received a scholarship for his voice work.

Although his experience during his undergraduate studies was rewarding, Miguel still recognized the lack of Latin music representation in Chicago. To educate others about this genre, Miguel began teaching mariachi music in Chicago Public Schools for three years before taking his teaching skills and mastery of the craft to a new level by pursuing a master's degree in music with a concentration in Latin music performance at Texas State.

"I feel like I have learned a lot from this program at Texas State and have improved as a musician and a person," Miguel shared. “Mariachi has evolved…Music has discipline; musicians are creative, and you get to meet people and go places you've never been before. It's not just playing gigs in bars anymore."

Miguel has had opportunities to travel and play with ensembles at significant events such as the music festival Lollapalooza in Chicago and Chicago Cubs and White Sox games. Since starting the Master of Music program at Texas State, he has played with Mariachi Nueva Generación and in various ensembles in Austin as a freelancer. Mariachi Nueva Generación became a class at Texas State in the fall of 1997 and is known as one of the leading university mariachis in Texas, according to the Texas State School of Music website.

Mariachi Nueva Generación performs in many competitions, and also hosts the annual Feria del Mariachi competition and workshop each Spring. In addition, the ensemble has performed in conjunction with Texas State Aurora Voce, a highly selective chamber choir ensemble that Miguel recalls as one of his favorite performances in the music program.

"Immerse yourself in mariachi life," Miguel said regarding people who may be interested in learning about the genre but don't know where to start. "Listen to recordings, watch videos, go to conferences…learn your instrument and take the time for lessons and then take time to interpret mariachi music later." To learn more about music programs offered by The Graduate College, visit www.gradcollege.txst.edu/programs/music.html.