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The University of Texas at Austin Mariachi Ensemble, Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlan, is in dire need of new uniforms (“Trajes"). The uniforms which are presently being assigned to students are over 10 years old and have to be constantly repaired at great costs; especially the intricate “gala” or silver trim on the uniforms/Trajes.
Performances by The UT Austin Mariachi Ensemble are being requested on a regular basis by UT Campus Organizations and the Greater Austin Community; therefore, it is time to purchase new uniforms/trajes which will not require continued maintenance or replacement of the “gala” or silver trim on the Trajes.
With your help, we will purchase 25 new trajes for the group. The new trajes will be orange and white, representing the University of Texas at Austin.
The University of Texas Mariachi Ensemble, Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlan, is a Performing Mariachi Ensemble which performs primarily on The UT Campus and at events in The Greater Austin Community. Students who are members of the UT Mariachi Ensemble are from the Schools of Engineering, Sociology, Geology, Plan II Honors, Liberal Arts, Music, and Science: Biology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, and Physics.
The University of Texas Mariachi Ensemble, Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlan, was founded in 1977, and named in honor of Dr. Américo Paredes (1915-99).
Dr. Paredes is generally recognized as one of the seminal Mexican American scholars of the 20th century. He was the first Mexican-American/Tejano to ever receive a Ph.D. at The University of Texas at Austin and was a professor in the English and Anthropology Departments. A Guggenheim Fellowship Winner, Américo Paredes was awarded The Aguila Azteca (Aztec Eagle) Medal, the highest honor given a foreigner by the Mexican Government.
Under the direction of Ezekiel (Zeke) Castro and through his leadership, The University of Texas at Austin Mariachi Ensemble, Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlan, has become an outstanding musical organization at the University of Texas at Austin and in The Greater Austin Community.
OUR UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN MARIACHI ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR: EZEKIEL (ZEKE) CASTRO
Director Zeke Castro has had a unique history with The School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin. At age nine, he was the youngest of 11 students who were selected from the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to be in the first class of The Junior String Project in 1948. When Castro picked up a violin for the first time at the age of nine, under the direction of Albert Gillis, he did not anticipate what a profound impact this simple action would have on his future.
At the same time, The University of Texas would never have imagined that the vision for The Junior String Project in 1948 would surpass Dr. William Doty’s, Dean of Fine Arts, expectations. Today — 68 years later — The University of Texas at Austin String Project is heralded by musicians and educators throughout the world as one of the finest programs for the training of string teachers and the development of young string students.
As a Freshman in The School of Music at The University of Texas, Castro began to study viola at the request of Professor Gillis. He joined five other viola students for a special tour as The University of Texas Viola Ensemble. The Viola Ensemble, one of the more unique musical groups in the country, was established by Albert Gillis. In the Spring of 1958, they traveled to the New York area performing in numerous locations including Yale University, Montclair State University in New Jersey, at the home of Ambassador to England, Averell Harriman, and culminating their tour with a performance at the Historic Manhattan Music Hall, Carnegie Hall.
The University of Texas at Austin Viola Ensemble was one of three outstanding groups especially invited by The Violin, Viola, and Violoncello Teachers’ Guild of New York, which included Jascha Heifetz, Mischa Elman, Joseph Szigeti, Gregor Piatigorsky, and the Budapest String Quartet.
The UT Viola Ensemble received an official sendoff from Texas Governor Price Daniel prior to their Carnegie Hall recital in 1958, from left, back row: Lee Kull, William Wilson, Karrell Johnson, Zeke Castro, Jim Pescor, and Frank Musick; front row: Governor Daniel, Albert Gillis, and Louis Guerrero.
The UT Austin Mariachi Ensemble has performed for numerous events which have included Campus Tailgates, The Annual Explore UT Event, Friends of the LBJ National Historical Park’s Barbecue on The Pedernales at The LBJ Ranch, and The Unveiling Ceremony for The Tejano Monument on the State of Texas Capitol grounds on March 27, 2012.
The Tejano Monument is a multi-statue monument honoring the contributions of early Spanish-Mexican settlers and their descendants to Texas. On January 25, 2016, The UT Mariachi Ensemble performed for The Office of the President and Mexican American Culture which hosted a Dinner with UT President Gregory L. Fenves.
The University of Texas at Austin Mariachi Ensemble at The Unveiling Ceremony for The Tejano Monument on the State of Texas Capitol grounds.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
The University of Texas at Austin Mariachi Ensemble, Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlan, is in dire need of new uniforms (“Trajes"). The uniforms which are presently being assigned to students are over 10 years old and have to be constantly repaired at great costs; especially the intricate “gala” or silver trim on the uniforms/Trajes.
Performances by The UT Austin Mariachi Ensemble are being requested on a regular basis by UT Campus Organizations and the Greater Austin Community; therefore, it is time to purchase new uniforms/trajes which will not require continued maintenance or replacement of the “gala” or silver trim on the Trajes.
The UT Austin Mariachi Ensemble needs to make an impressive visual presentation with each performance. New uniforms/trajes will ensure that The UT Austin Mariachi Ensemble will make an outstanding visual presentation in addition to their breathtaking musical performance.
WHATEVER YOUR DONATION, EVERY GIFT DIRECTLY HELPS!
If you would prefer to make an offline gift or pledge, please contact Ezekiel (Zeke) Castro at maestroerc@utexas.edu.
If you would like to establish a Permanent Endowment to provide ongoing support for our deserving students, please contact Andrew West, Director of Development and Communications at awest@austin.utexas.edu.
The Annual University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp was established in 2013, for At-risk High School Students and Low-socio Economic School Districts in Texas. The UT Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp is open to all High School Mariachi Students in the State of Texas entering grades 10 —12.
The University of Texas at Austin School of Music had never before reached out to the Hispanic Community of Texas in this way. Mr. Renato Ramirez and Generous Donors from throughout Texas made it possible for us to witness The First-Ever University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp for At-risk High School Students in 2013.
Our High School Mariachi Students rely on scholarships made possible by Generous Donors, Businesses, and Individuals from throughout Texas who desire to enrich the lives of deserving young musicians who might not otherwise be able to attend The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp. Every year we hear from potential campers who would love to attend and would benefit immensely from our program, but do not have the financial ability to do so.
Friends of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp may sponsor a student for $400.00. This includes four days of intensive instruction and room and board in a dorm on the UT Campus for high school students throughout Texas. Residing in a dormitory will provide students an opportunity to experience dormitory life at the University of Texas at Austin. They will explore the campus after the instructional day is over by visiting the Main Tower and other points of interest on campus. They will also take a trip to the State Capitol to view The Tejano Monument.
Students are trained in the execution of their primary instruments and in vocal skills required for interpretation of the songs being performed. They experience small group training on their primary instruments taught by Mariachi Directors from Texas School Districts and University Professors. They will also receive guidance in playing in a large group with all the mariachi instruments playing together.
The 2016 University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp Faculty
OUR VISION
The vision for The Annual University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp is to:
• make students aware of the opportunities available to them at the University of Texas at Austin both as students and as mariachi performers; and encourage them to enroll at the University when they finish high school,
• make them aware of the fact that the University is a world-class institution, with Colleges that are very favorably ranked world wide,
• give students a rich musical experience marked by excellence,
• connect them with other students interested in Mariachi Music from across the state, and
• provide an understanding of what it takes to be a member of a large Mariachi Ensemble.
Under the direction of Ezekiel (Zeke) Castro and through his leadership, The University of Texas at Austin Annual Longhorn Mariachi Camp has become an outstanding musical organization at the University of Texas at Austin, in The Greater Austin Community and in the State of Texas.
OUR UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN LONGHORN MARIACHI CAMP DIRECTOR: EZEKIEL (ZEKE) CASTRO
Director Zeke Castro has had a unique history with The School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin. At age nine, he was the youngest of 11 students who were selected from the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to be in the first class of The Junior String Project in 1948. When Castro picked up a violin for the first time at the age of nine, under the direction of Albert Gillis, he did not anticipate what a profound impact this simple action would have on his future.
At the same time, The University of Texas would never have imagined that the vision for The Junior String Project in 1948 would surpass Dr. William Doty’s, Dean of Fine Arts, expectations. Today — 68 years later — The University of Texas at Austin String Project is heralded by musicians and educators throughout the world as one of the finest programs for the training of string teachers and the development of young string students.
As a Freshman in The School of Music at The University of Texas, Castro began to study viola at the request of Professor Gillis. He joined five other viola students for a special tour as The University of Texas Viola Ensemble. The Viola Ensemble, one of the more unique musical groups in the country, was established by Albert Gillis. In the Spring of 1958, they traveled to the New York area performing in numerous locations including Yale University, Montclair State University in New Jersey, at the home of Ambassador to England, Averell Harriman, and culminating their tour with a performance at the Historic Manhattan Music Hall, Carnegie Hall.
The University of Texas at Austin Viola Ensemble was one of three outstanding groups especially invited by The Violin, Viola, and Violoncello Teachers’ Guild of New York, which included Jascha Heifetz, Mischa Elman, Joseph Szigeti, Gregor Piatigorsky, and the Budapest String Quartet.
The UT Viola Ensemble received an official sendoff from Texas Governor Price Daniel prior to their Carnegie Hall recital in 1958, from left, back row: Lee Kull, William Wilson, Karrell Johnson, Zeke Castro, Jim Pescor, and Frank Musick; front row: Governor Daniel, Albert Gillis, and Louis Guerrero.
PHOTOS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN LONGHORN MARIACHI CAMP GROUP REHEARSALS:
THE CULMINATING PERFORMANCE
The Culminating Performance by our students and their instructors takes place on the Saturday after the four-day camp, 1:30 p.m. at The Bates Recital Hall in The Butler School of Music.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
The Annual University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp needs financial support from businesses and individuals who desire to enrich the lives of deserving young musicians who might not otherwise be able to attend our UT Austin Longhorn Mariachi Camp. Every year we hear from potential Longhorn Mariachi Campers who would benefit immensely from our program, but do not have the financial ability to attend.
Businesses, Alumni, and Friends can ensure that The Longhorn Mariachi Camp is available to help support these deserving students as they learn and grow to be the future leaders of Tomorrow. We invite you to make a gift to support The University of Texas at Austin Annual Longhorn Mariachi Camp.
Whatever your donation, every gift directly helps to ensure that At-risk High School Students have the opportunity to enhance their studies in Mariachi Music and realize their dreams as Mariachi Performers.
WHATEVER YOUR DONATION, EVERY GIFT DIRECTLY HELPS!
If you would prefer to make an offline gift or pledge, please contact Ezekiel (Zeke) Castro at maestroerc@utexas.edu.
If you would like to establish a Permanent Endowment to provide ongoing support for our deserving students, please contact Andrew West, Director of Development and Communications at awest@austin.utexas.edu.
An invitation to a group rehearsal and VIP seating to the Fall 2016 or Spring 2017 Mariachi Concert!
The Mariachi sings "Happy Birthday"/Las Mañanitas for anyone of your choice! (Video link to a customized video made just for you!)
A song request! We will play ANY song you request us to play! (Video link to a customized video made just for you!)
Live private concert for you from the UT Mariachi anywhere in Austin Texas!
