Top photo: UTSA mariachi performers
Bottom photo: Voces de Tejas group
By Kris Rodriguez
Public Affairs Specialist
(Feb. 26, 2009)--The UTSA Department of Music will host the second UTSA mariachi scholarship concert "A Salute to Women in Mariachi!" at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27 in the Buena Vista Theater at the UTSA Downtown Campus.
The event will feature performances by Voces de Tejas, Las Damas de Jalisco, Las Altenas, Las Erendiras de San Antonio and the debut of UTSA's women's mariachi troupe Las Charritas.
"This fundraiser is meant to provide scholarships to attract students interested in studying mariachi and will help build a platform to create a teacher preparation program in mariachi," said Jose Torres, UTSA mariachi program director and UTSA music alumnus.
In 2007, the first scholarship concert, held at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, raised $20,000 for scholarships and paid tribute to singer Vikki Carr, a longtime San Antonio resident.
Voces de Tejas, comprised of Tejano music singing stars Patsy Torres, Leslie Lugo, Stefani Montiel, Shelly Lares and Rebecca Valadez, is planning their first CD showcasing a wide spectrum of traditional rancheras and boleros. The female quintet recently received accolades for the "Serenata a la Virgen de Guadalupe" and their performance at the 2008 Tejano Music Awards.
Featured performers Las Damas de Jalisco return to San Antonio after a South Korean tour; Las Altenas are promoting the release of their new CD "Sentimiento de Mujer" and Las Erendiras de San Antonio just completed engagements in Atlantic City, Boston, Kansas and Louisiana.
Tickets are $50; proceeds from the concert will go to a scholarship fund exclusively for UTSA mariachi students. To purchase tickets, call (210) 458-5685 or visit the UTSA Mariachi Concert Web site.
For more information, call (210) 458-6648.