TAMIU’s Mariachi Internacional Takes First Place in National Competition in New Mexico

The student members of Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Mariachi Internacional are used to hitting the high notes.  Last weekend they scaled lofty heights to earn First Place in the University Division of a national competition, the Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque Festival and Competition in Albuquerque, New Mexico, July 10 - 13.

Carlos Castañeda Lechuga, TAMIU’s director of the Mariachi program, said judges and audience members were impressed with the Mariachi Internacional’s performance and presence.

 “Our Mariachi Internacional worked very hard to perform phenomenally at the competition, our first since 2017.  Our students were excited, nervous, and extremely ecstatic to have been allowed to attend. They are dedicated, eager, and passionate to become one of the best college mariachi ensembles in the country,” Lechuga said.

Dr. Colin Campbell, interim department chair of the department of Fine and Performing Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, said Mariachi Internacional has set a national benchmark with their success at the New Mexico competition. 

“The group did us proud and certainly succeeded in showcasing our TAMIU mariachi program as one to be reckoned with on a national level.  We certainly appreciate the advocacy and support of our president, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, our provost, Dr. Claudia San Miguel, and our interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Marcus Ynalvez, ”  Dr. Campbell said.

The Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque Showcase Competition Concert provides an opportunity for student musicians from around the country who have attended the three-day Conference to perform for the people of Albuquerque and compete for the opening slot in the Mariachi Spectacular Concert scheduled the following evening at Sandia Casino Amphitheater. The annual event has also become a tourism draw in Albuquerque, attracting over 12,000 visitors to events and performances throughout the Festival. 

Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque attracts legendary mariachi artists such as Stephen Carrillo, Mariachi Cobre, and José Hernández of Sol de México who are among those conducting classes at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels for the 50+ groups competing.

The culminating showcase event is broadcast nationally and internationally so family and friends can watch.  The broadcast is now available at: https://go.tamiu.edu/mariachi-internacional-perform with the TAMIU Mariachi Internacional performance occurring at timestamp 2:42.

For more about Mariachi Internacional, including auditioning for and joining its two distinctive ensembles, visithttps://go.tamiu.edu/mariachi-internacional, contact Mariachi Internacional director Carlos Castañeda Lechuga at carlos.castaneda@tamiu.edu, call 956.326.2654, or visit offices in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, room 217.

See a special message from Mariachi Internacional about their success here: https://go.tamiu.edu/mariachi-fbmessage 

For more about the Competition, visit: 

https://mariachispectacular.com

Fall 2024 Registration at TAMIU is now underway. View the registration schedule here: https://www.tamiu.edu/registrar/registration

The first day of classes for the Fall 2024 semester is Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. 

To learn more about the University’s Registration processes, visit the dedicated Registration Hub at https://go.tamiu.edu/registration. 

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