Viva Mariachi Meca

About the Artist
MECA is a community based, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy social, cultural, and academic development of at risk, inner-city youth through education in the arts. MECA has been providing arts education and counseling to Houston area youth for 26 years, and now serves approximately 3,000 students through the In-School, After-School, and Summer Arts Programs.

The MECA mariachi program began in 1991 under the direction of Alfonso Guerra. Mr. Guerra, a mariachi instructor and a professional mariachi for over 50 years, began the program with a small ensemble, which played a modest repertoire of three traditional mariachi songs. The program now instructs approximately 175 youth, both at MECA and at 10 Houston area schools. MECA’s advanced mariachi ensemble, Mariachi MECA, is comprised of students who participate in MECA’s after school program and students from HISD and AISD. Mariachi MECA has played for President Bush and President Clinton, received first, second, and third place awards at national mariachi competitions, and performed in New York, France, Northern Ireland, and Mexico. They also perform at countless festivals, community celebrations, and private parties throughout the year.

Mariachi MECA is currently under the direction of Jose A. Niño. Before coming to MECA, Mr. Niño was employed by the Waco Independent School District, serving in several capacities, including mariachi director for University High School. He was nominated for teacher of the year in 1998/99, and his University High School Mariachi Ensemble won first place at the 1999 Bank One Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Mr. Niño was also named one of the Top Hispanic Leaders for McLennan County.

The members of Mariachi MECA are students in several Houston Independent School District schools, including Reagan High School, Sam Houston High School, HSPVA, Lamar High School, Johnston Middle School, Westbury High School, and Sterling High School. Most of the students come from economically disadvantaged communities, where cultural and academic opportunities are limited. Through their many performances and their cultural exchanges in countries such as Northern Ireland and Mexico, Mariachi MECA students have come to understand how the arts can be used to define a culture and bind a community together. They have succeeded in finding what there is to celebrate in their culture and in themselves, and have used this knowledge to prepare themselves for the future.

Viva Mariachi Meca,Mariachi Meca

Average customer rating: I'm part of the new Mariachi MECA VIVA Mariachi MECA - Great! Lo Maximo Great Student Effort

Viva Mariachi Meca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000063CEC Release Date: 2001-06-15

Tracks:

1. Homenaje al Mariachi
2. Volver, Volver
3. Potpourri Alla en el Rancho
4. Los Laureles
5. Cien Anos
6. La Madrugada
7. Corrido de Chihuahua
8. La Verdolaga
9. El Ausente
10. La Mariquita
11. Viva Mexico
12. Potpourri de Mi Tierra

Customer Reviews:

I'm part of the new Mariachi MECA.......2002-11-22

When i first got into the goup everybody treated me like they allready knew me. Now there are new people in The group and we have people from College, high schools, middle school and Elementry. Hopefully we the new Mariachi are going to Record another CD with new song featuring me Rico

Well since im a senior in High school this is my last year being with the group but im still gonna continue play music

My friends and also my family
Mariachi MECA

VIVA Mariachi MECA - Great!.......2002-11-01

Hard to believe that these are not adult performers; rather high school and even middle school kids. Their work is flawless on these recordings. Highly recommend.

Lo Maximo.......2002-10-29

Este Disco Compacto es algo que deveras me impresiono porque hay tanto joven tocando una musica autentica mexicana. Nombre, yo llore al escuchar unas voces tan lindas, bravias, e talentosas. Unos instrumentos tan finos, buey! Nombre amigos Siganle, Siganle. Me impresiono. Hijole! Mis chavitos sigan adelante y que nadie los pare en su camino. Les deseo de todo corazon que lleguen bien alto. Gracias Amigos!

Su Fan numero uno,

Monserrat
Monterrey, NV. Leon

Great Student Effort.......2002-04-23

Great student effort by Mariachi MECA. When I first heard the CD, I thought it was a professional adult mariachi ensemble. The use of three-part harmony sounds like a choir and the soloists are very mature singers. The bass line of the guitarron musician used non-traditional passages in a very appropriate manner. Great use of three parts in the trumpet and violin sections. Mariachi MECA combined earlier student music with their current ensemble pieces which allows the listener to hear how the group has progressed over the past four years. Wonderful combination for a tribute to ten years of mariachi education in Houston, Texas and the success of Alfonso Guerra and Jose Nino's teaching.

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