Denver College Introduces Unique Mariachi Music Degree to Meet Growing Demand
In response to a rising interest in mariachi music, Metro State University in Denver has introduced a Bachelor of Arts degree focused on Mariachi Performance and Culture. This program not only teaches music and cultural heritage but also equips students with business acumen to help them establish sustainable careers.
Mariachi, a traditional folk music from Mexico, has been gaining traction across the United States. Over the past ten years, at least ten universities and colleges have launched mariachi degree programs. Metro State University is the latest to join this trend, with Colorado Public Radio’s Juanita Hurtado Huerfano reporting from the scene.
The university’s mariachi ensemble, Los Correcaminos, recently rehearsed “Mexico Lindo” in a campus classroom. Ruby Flores, a guitarron player in the ensemble, discovered her passion for mariachi after enrolling in a class two years ago. Flores, who grew up in a Spanish-speaking household but didn’t learn the language, found mariachi to be a meaningful way to reconnect with her cultural roots. “Being in the United States, my mom really wanted me to be… a United States citizen and… conform to their norms. So the mariachi class was where I tried to reconnect it, and then I instantly fell in love,” Flores shared.
Professor Phil Ficsor, observing the enthusiasm of students like Flores, recognized an opportunity to expand the program. With mariachi classes becoming increasingly popular in Colorado’s K-12 schools, there is a growing need for qualified teachers. “I took a poll – kind of just a straw poll of my students, and every single hand went up,” Ficsor noted.
The newly launched degree allows students to delve deep into the history and cultural significance of mariachi music. It also prepares them to manage their own mariachi businesses. According to faculty, this credential can enhance students’ marketability, allowing them to charge more for performances and even pursue teaching certifications.
Professor Ficsor emphasized the importance of the business skills taught in the program. “I want one of our students to graduate and have the ability to say, I want to create my own mariachi ensemble. How do I do that? Where – how do I fill out the paperwork? How do I invoice? How do I do all the things that help a business run?” he explained.
While Ficsor values the business components of the degree, he believes that understanding mariachi’s cultural impact is crucial in shaping accomplished musicians. “You know, Beethoven once said that music is poetry without words. And in a way, mariachi music is the poetry of the Chicano culture,” he remarked.
The mariachi degree is now available to all incoming students this fall. For more details, refer to the original report by NPR News, delivered by Juanita Hurtado Huerfano in Denver.
