The University of Texas at Austin Mariachi Ensemble, Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlán, is very excited to welcome Claire Spera back to The Butler School of Music as a Guest Artist dancing Tango Bolero and The Tango of All Tangos:  La Cumparsita  — Mariachi Style!

Claire will be performing with Stephanie Keeton from The Flamencura Music and Dance Studio. The Flamencura was opened on May 1, 2010 in Austin, Texas in order to share flamenco dance and music with the Austin community through classes and events. All dance classes are taught by founder Olivia Chacon, while flamenco music instruction is given by Isai Chacon.

The program will include “La Cigarra” a huapango by Ray Perez Y Soto, about how a Cicada dies singing.  The Huapango in Mariachi has alternating rhythmic patterns similar 

to the son jalisciense. Both major and minor keys are used. One of the distinctive characteristics is the use of a falsetto by the vocalist. 

The son jalisciense is the classic music of the Mariachis.  Although the definition is difficult to trace, it is probably safe to say that its roots are Andalusian gypsy combined with Mexican Indigenous elements with an African beat.  Two son jaliscienses “El Relampago” and “El Balaju” will be performed.

The program will also include the famous son veracruzano “El Cascabel,” polkas, a ranchera  and a bolero.  We hope that you will enjoy our presentation of Mariachi Music which is a mixture of preconquest and early colonial times in Mexico — Indigenous, Spanish, and African.