The National School District’s mariachi program is the first of its kind.
Since 1999 the school district has contracted with Escuela de Musica, an independent agency, to teach their students how to play mariachi music. The school district’s annual contract with Escuela de Musica ranges between $60,000 to $100,000 depending on how many kids are enrolled in the program, said Alfredo Aranda, director of Escuela de Musica. Aranda writes the entire curriculum for the program.
To accommodate students the school district buses its students to mariachi class at Las Palmas Elementary School where instruction is held three days a week for two hours after school.
Students starting as young as first grade learn how to read music, count music and learn how to play mariachi instruments such as violin, trumpets, vihuela and the guitarrón all of which is provided free of charge by the district.
“The school district provides everything for the students,” Aranda said. “They don’t have to worry about anything or have an excuse to not join the program. They just have to want it.”
Once students learn to play the instruments, they are tasked with hosting two performances throughout the school year. Earlier this year the mariachi students performed at National City’s annual Mariachi Festival.
Because the new school year just started, the program will not officially get going this school year until late August.
The mariachi program usually averages between 100 to 150 children each year with about five to seven instructors on site, Aranda said. Students are separated based on their skill levels from beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. At the end of the program all skill levels come together for a performance.
“ Based on my research we’re probably the first elementary aged mariachi program in the whole country,” Aranda said. “Most mariachi program in San Diego start in junior high school and high school but no one has had an elementary mariachi program like the National School District.”
Aranda said many students when they get older play mariachi professionally or become mariachi teachers. Other students also join the orchestra once they complete the mariachi program.
National School District’s assistant superintendent PJ Whitney said that the mariachi program furthers the district’s commitment for the arts.
“Our kids have the opportunity to be creative and we are just so happy to provide them an outlet for their artistic expression to learn music,” she said. “Music is where it all starts for some kids.”
