Mariachi's male image doesn't faze young women

Mar. 23--DELANO -- Alex Camacho, 11, strums her five-string vihuela, setting the beat for spirited trumpets and violins. Swiftly, the room fills with enchanting Mexican music as Las Rosas del Valle practices for its appearance at Radio Bilingue's 24th annual Viva el Mariachi Festival concert Sunday at the Selland Arena.

The all-female ensemble, 16 young musicians from five South Valley mariachi bands, was formed to showcase the role women are playing in shaping the American tradition of mariachi music, says director Juan Morales. The group will help open for a lineup of professional bands that features Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, the all-female Mariachi Mujer 2000 and the all-female, multicultural Mariachi Divas.

Celebrating the Mexican mariachi tradition with the exuberance of American youth comes naturally to Las Rosas del Valle and brings smiles to the faces of parents listening to the rehearsal.

"Mariachi music is a part of Mexican culture, and it's part of me," says Cynthia Rivera, 15, a sophomore at Cesar Chavez High School in Delano and one of three trumpet players in the group.

Although the music fills her heart with thoughts of Mexico, playing in an all-female band reminds her that things are different in America.

"Yes, we are going against the grain," she says, when asked about the lack of male musicians in the group.

Mexican mariachi tradition has a long history of male dominance, says Morales, who teaches mariachi music classes at Delano High School and Richgrove Elementary School. American cultural influences have opened the genre to women performers and inspired some bands to incorporate elements from the musical styles of popular artists such as Elvis Presley, Freddy Fender and Glenn Miller, he says.

But mariachi music is firmly rooted in Mexican soil.

"It started with peasants, who played their music at the end of the day or week," Morales says. "It was a way for them to escape from work."

The music combines native Mexican rhythmic influences with instruments brought in by the Spanish. A typical mariachi band comprises violins, trumpets, guitars, the vihuela, which is a little larger than a ukulele and has a bowed back, and the guitarron, a large bass guitar that provides the foundation tones for the music.

Because mariachi music developed in rural regions, many traditional songs focus on animals and country life. But romantic songs also abound and may describe the joy of love realized or the tragedy of love lost.

"I love the way the songs tell a story," says Isabel Silva, a 17-year-old senior at McFarland High School who plays violin. "Most of them are love songs."

Isabel enjoys the emotion that violins bring to the mariachi sound with their high notes and enchanting tones.

"The violins carry the melody," she says. "They give the music a sense of sweetness."

Versatility is a hallmark of mariachi music. Bands play for dances, weddings, funerals and other special occasions.

"To be a good mariachi musician, you've got to have a passion for the music," Morales says. "But you also need a fondness for the culture."

People who love mariachi music often associate specific songs with good memories or milestones in their lives. They love to hear their favorite songs played and usually count on a good mariachi band being able to play all their requests.

"If helps if you can play by ear and have a good memory for tunes," Morales says. "A good mariachi band will know between 300 and 500 songs."

Morales played harp for several years as a member of the Los Angeles-based Los Camperos. The music has a strong following in the United States, and top-flight bands spend a lot of time on tour.

"But most mariachi musicians are weekend warriors," he says. "They work at regular jobs during the week and play on the weekends."

Bringing joy to listeners by playing their favorite songs never grows old, Morales says.

"I love putting on a good show," says Amelia Dias, 17, a senior at Golden West High School in Visalia. "The songs can be festive or romantic."

For violinist Gema Gonzalez, 13, of Delano, mariachi music provides a bridge between generations. Her grandfather is a mariachi musician; she says he's glad to see her following in his footsteps.

The professional bands performing this Sunday are rich in tradition. Mariachi Vargas was founded in 1898 and is said to be one of the most influential groups in the history of mariachi music.

Mariachi Los Camperos has been around for 45 years and its recording "Llegaron Los Camperos" received a Grammy nomination last year for best Mexican-American album.

Mariachi Mujer has performed with Mexican artists such as Vikki Carr, Pablo Montero, Gerardito Fernandez and Nydia Rojas. Mariachi Divas have toured extensively in the United States and perform regularly at Disneyland and California Adventure in Anaheim.

The reporter can be reached at gkeeler@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6383.

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