The Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque meets Community Needs

• Promoting culture, arts & excellence in art education that demonstrate Albuquerque’s vibrant artistic, cultural and ethnic Heart & Soul
• Providing a foundation for life-long participation in the arts
• Encouraging and allowing interested parties who want to learn, develop skills, be entertained or increase their understanding of cultural diversity to attend its activities
• Participation builds bridges for inter-cultural understanding and appreciation in Albuquerque and other New Mexico communities
• Contributing to the cultural understanding and appreciation of folk and Mexican music
• Providing scholarships to students who otherwise would not be able to attend.

Yahoo! Travel recently stated that the Albuquerque Mariachi Spectacular, “Fills the air with vibrant rhythms and lush melodies and takes listeners away and lifts them to new heights.” This festive event thrills New Mexicans and visitors every July, while it provides a unique opportunity for aspiring and professional musicians to learn from the world’s finest and most accomplished Mariachi artists.

Over 700 students, ages five through 65 attend three-day workshops to learn techniques used by master instructors. They are also given opportunities to learn about Mariachi and cultural history, musical theory, ensemble presentation, musical arrangements and, now, ballet folklorico.

On Friday evening, the Showcase Concert & Competition gives the greater Albuquerque community a unique opportunity to gather and support these musicians and dancers as they compete for top prizes. As the student groups showcase their talent and abilities, they are judged by experts in the field. The student mariachi group with the highest overall score becomes the Grand Prize Winner. They are given a beautiful trophy and are invited to open the next evening’s Spectacular Concert at the Sandia Resort & Casino’s Amphitheater, where they will share the stage with the world’s finest professional Mariachi groups, before a sold-out audience of over 4,000 Mariachi aficianados.

The Mariachi Spectacular Mass closes out the week-long festivities. The Mass is held at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park, a beautiful outdoor venue, and is attended a congregation of several thousand.

~ A musical experience you don’t want to miss! ~

We are now taking Registrations for Mariachi Spectacular.

Don’t forget to join us for:

Mariachi Mass

- Sunday July 13, 2008 10:30 a.m. - New Mexico Veteran’s Memorial Park

The Showcase Concert & Competition

- Friday, July 11, 2008 6:30 p.m. - Downtown Civic Plaza - FREE

¡Mariachi Spectacular! Concert

- Saturday July, 12, 2008 - Sandia Resort and Casino Ampitheatre - Tickets on sale May 2nd, 2008!

Spectacular Concert ~ Saturday July, 12, 2008

HOMENAJE A ANTONIO AGUILAR, EL GRAN CHARRO DE MEXICO

LINE UP:
Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez
Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara de Guadalajara, Jalisco
Mariachi Internacional Los Perez de Nochistlan, Zacatecas - FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!

Join us at Sandia Resort & Casino’s gorgeous amphitheater for the ¡Mariachi Spectacular! Concert. Tickets range from $45.00,$35.00,$25.00.

www.ticketmaster.com

All Ticket Master Outlets

Phone orders (505) 796-7778

Sandia Resort & Casino Ticket Office (This is the only location that will not have a surcharge assessed)

Download a printable version of the rules.

Groups participating in the Showcase Concert must complete & return all Registration & Showcase Forms to Mariachi Spectacular office at the same time. Only the first 20 groups will be accepted. Where a minimum of 3 groups are not registered to compete in a category, other arrangements may be made for performance of those groups.

Elementary School ~ Mid School ~ High School ~ University ~ Open

PLEASE NOTE: In the event that groups placing in either first, second or third in their respective divisions, get disqualified, the group after the one getting disqualified WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY BE GIVEN THAT PLACE.

Minimum score figures will be established by the judges for each placement. Those figures will be made on the day before the conference starts. Example if the winner of the First Place in any category gets disqualified for any reason, the second place winner will NOT be automatically given first place. The second place winner will only be given first place if their score meets the minimum score required for first place, etc.

In order to compete in the Elementary, mid, High School and University divisions, all members must attend designated school level. Directors will not be allowed to participate with their group in the school divisions. The Open division group members include multi school levels, age levels, adults and directors.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. All members of the performing group MUST be registered in the Mariachi Spectacular Conference workshops. Roll call of each member will be verified this year.
2. ALL members of a performing group will perform with that group only .
3. Performing time will not be more than 7 minutes,. Groups exceeding the time limit established for the competition will be disqualified. At least two timekeepers will start the clock on the first note you play through your last note. Talking or other activities will be included in your allotted time.
4. Music selections may not be repeated by groups during the concert. Choices of music selections will be approved on a first come first serve basis. The earlier you submit the music selections, the better your chances that they will be approved. Submit your music selections by using the “Official Entry Form.” Mariachi Spectacular will confirm your music selections by mail or telephone.
5. Each group will be introduced by name, the city you are from, school name, and the name of the director. If you want to include additional information or recognition in the introduction, you must submit the“Group Introduction Sheet” in writing at your earliest convenience but no later than by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2007. Additional information will not exceed 75 words.
6. Stage Plot will be the same for all groups, from left to right facing stage: Violins-Trumpets-Harp-Guitarron-Vihuela-Guitar.
7. Three (3) Vocal mics center front stage.

To register your group for this exciting event you must first have registered all members of the group for the Workshops.

Download Application Form or call (505) 255-1501 or e-mail FresquezN@aol.com.

Once your group registration is received a packet of information and required forms for participating in the Showcase Concert & Competition will be mailed to you.

There is no cost to enter the competition only the cost of the workshops will be assessed.

Deadline for getting in your registration for the Showcase Concert & Competition is no later than Friday June 20, 2008 by 5:00PM.

We accept all registration forms via FAX, Mail, or in person.

Each group enters and competes in 1 of 5 categories. Each category awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Categories

• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School
• University
• Open Division

All tally sheets and judge’s comments will be made available to the Groups Directors. The participants are given 7 minutes to perform a pre-approved song list. This song list must be turned in and approved by the Mariachi Spectacular staff before songs can be performed. Upon approval an Approval Form will be sent to you.

Songs will not be repeated throughout the night, therefore it is important to get your song list in early. Songs are approved on a first come first served basis.

Students desiring to audition for Master Class will report to room announced during Opening Orientation on first day of Conference, Wednesday July 11, 2007. Auditions will be held immediately following Opening Orientation.

Students who audition must be registered for conference and will audition for maestros in Violin, Armonia, Trumpet, etc. Selections played in audition will be spontaneous and include traditional styles such as son, huapango, ranchera, etc.

6-7 Violins, 2-3 trumpets, 1 guitarron, 1 vihuela, 1 guitar, 1 harp will be selected to take master class under the tutelage of maestros and will learn one or two arrangements prepared for Master Class only.

Master class will have opportunity to perform pieces learned at both Showcase and Spectacular Concerts.

The music selection and review committee includes Maestro Jesus Rodriguez de Hijar, Maestro Rigoberto Alfaro, Maestro Jose Hernandez, John Nieto, workshop transcriber and arranger, and Noberta Fresquez, Mariachi Spectacular Director.

Once songs are selected that insure a variety of styles, different composers, classic and contemporary tunes, male and female voices, learning levels, etc., John Nieto proceeds to typeset all songs.

The songs are then sent to Maestro Jesus Rodriguez de Hijar and Maestro Rigoberto Alfaro for review.
All lyrics are reviewed by staff and voice instructors.

Once copied and bounded by the Mariachi Angel Volunteer committee for distribution to students, the arrangements are reviewed one last time by all instructors prior to the commencement of workshop instruction.

Our 2008 slate of instructors

• Maestro Jesus Rodriguez de Hijar, Mexico City, Violin (Mariachi de America de Jesus Rodriguez de Hijar, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan)
• Maestro Miguel Martinez, Mexico City, Trumpet (formerly of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan)

• Maestro Rigoberto Alfaro, Mexico City, Armonia, Renowned Musician and Arranger. Former Member, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan
• Pedro Ramirez, Renowned Musician, Arranger and Musical Director, Mexico City (formerly of Mariachi Mexico de Pepe Villa)
• Juan Mendoza, Jr. “El Tariacuri” , Mexico City-Voice
• Marco Santiago, Mexico City, Author of Nati’s Guitarron playing style book
• Maestro Jose Hernandez, Los Angeles, California, Trumpet (Mariachi Sol de Mexico)
• Jesus Hernandez, Los Angeles, California, Armonia (Mariachi Sol de Mexico)
• Javier Vargas, Watsonville, California, Voice (20+ Years Voice Teacher, Participant/Festival OTI)
• Jose Luis Salinas, Los Angeles, California, Trumpet (Mariachi Las Adelitas)
• Mark Fogelquist, San Diego, California, Violin (Founder/Mariachi Uclatlan - School Educator)
• Francisco Rodriguez, Denver, Colorado, Armonia (Los Toritos de Guadalajara, Los Camperos, Los Galleros, Sol de Mexico)
• John Nieto, San Antonio, Texas, Trumpet (Public School Educator)
• Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara – Guadalajara, Jalisco = Sergio Caratachea, Jose German Gutierrez, Jose Armando Arellano, Gilberto Aguirre, Cristian Daniel Lopez, Luis Felipe de Jesue Rodriguez, Sergio Daniel Uribe, Juan Francisco Preciado,
• Sharon Jones, Carmel, California, Violin (Mariachi Mixtlan)
• Santiago Maldonado, Harp Instructor.
• Miguel Vasquez, Los Angeles, California, Guitarron (Recorded and Toured with Vikki Carr)
• Amelia Garcia, El Paso, Texas, Trumpet (Mariachi Mujer 2000)
• Joe Baca, El Paso, Texas, Armonia (Mariachi Los Arrieros)
• Nick Branchal, Taos, New Mexico, Armonia (Mariachi Rio Grande, Public School Educator, Public School Mariachi Program Founder)
• Joseph Santiago, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Violin
• Jose Carrillo, Albuquerque, New Mexico Armonia (Mariachi Tepeyac)
• Antonio Anaya, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Violin (Mariachi Tepeyac)
• Daniel Villa, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Trumpet (Mariachi Tepeyac
• Martin Sena, Ribera, New Mexico, Trumpet (Mariachi Paisano del Valle, Public School Mariachi Program Founder, Public School Educator)
• Al Gurule, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Vihuela (Mariachi Tenampa)
• Raul Ojeda, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Guitarron (Mariachi Tenampa)

2008 MARIACHI SPECTACULAR presents PURO NORTE! - Second Year Ballet Folklorico Classes

Update ! ! ! ! —- WEDNESDAY JULY 9, 2008 8:00-9:00AM —– UPDATE ! ! ! !
Report to the University of New Mexico’s Student Union Building (SUB) upper floor for on site registration and pre-registered pick-up materials. Classes will be held in Johnson Center across from SUB and Fine Arts Building immediately adjacent to SUB.

Students will learn the Polka, Redova and Chotis dances, the three fundamental rhythms from the north of Mexico.

PURO NORTE: The dance style and form from Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and Chihuahua

2008 Instructors:

• Profesor Isidro Salas, Director Compania Folklorica Alegria Mexicana from Nuevo Leon.
• Profesor Ramiro Loera, Director of Ballet Folklorico Viva Mexico from Tamaulipas
• Maestro Antonio Rubio, Director of La Compania Folklorica, Universidad de Chihuahua from Chihuahua.

Coordinator: Profesor Rodolfo Hernandez, Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte

DANCERS WANTING TO COMPETE IN SHOWCASE CONCERT ‘S POLKA CONTEST ON FRIDAY NIGHT MUST REGISTER AS INIDIVIDUAL COUPLES -
The Polka Competition is limited to 8 Couples with one winner selected. Judging will be done by Maestros.

BRING YOUR BEST JALISCO AND CHIHUAHUA COSTUMES TO PARTICIPATE IN CONCERT AND MASS.

The process by which we select our teaching team and music sets the Mariachi Spectacular apart from the other conferences in the United States.

Mariachi Spectacular maestros and instructors are carefully selected to insure the highest quality instruction for students attending the conference. Each instructor is selected based on musical talent and experience, knowledge and technique of the instrument he/she has been selected to teach, teaching ability, mariachi musical and history knowledge, commitment to the preservation of the tradition and authenticity of the music, committed to non-compromising of the quality and integrity of the musical tradition of mariachi music. In addition, our maestros have made significant contributions to the evolution of the tradition and almost all have musical arranging and composing to their credit.

Their history testifies to their incomparable experience, knowledge, talent and passion for mariachi music. They bring hundreds of years of experience and are valuable assets to our conference. They come from both the United States and Mexico.

List of Instructors

Master Class Auditions

Music Selection Process

The 18th Annual Mariachi Mass celebration

The finale of the week long Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque, education and cultural arts program.

DATE: Sunday July 13, 2008

TIME: 10:30AM

PLACE: New Mexico Veteran’s Memorial Park
1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE (Just north of the intersection of Gibson and Louisiana)

PRESIDER: Father Fernando Rubio, Pastor, San Felipe de Neri.

Schedule of Events

Onsite registration: July 9, 2008 8:00AM Student Union Building UNM Campus

CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS: July 9 & 10 9:00AM-5:00PM July 11 9:00AM-3:00PM

SHOWCASE CONCERT & COMPETITION: Friday July 11 @ 6:30PM Downtown Civic Plaza

SPECTACULAR CONCERT: Satuday July 12 @ 7:00PM Sandia Resort and Casino

SPECTACULAR MASS: Sunday July 13 @ 10:30AM New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park

Fees

If paid before Friday, June 1, 2008 - $75.00 After Friday, June 1, 2008 - $85.00

What you get for your registration fee

• 3 days of workshops instruction from Mariachi Music’s finest instructors in the world. - priceless
• Music book containing at least 10 arrangements of printed, easy to read music for your selected instrument including all lyrics (if applicable) - $250.00
• An invitation to perform with your fellow classmates at Friday night’s Showcase Concert & Competition, and Spectacular Concert -priceless
• If performing with a group, the possibility for a once in a lifetime opportunity to open the Spectacular concert headlined by world renowned mariachi groups and artists. - priceless
• 1 ticket in special seating for Mariachi Spectacular Concert at Sandia Resort & Casino, Saturday, July 12, 2008. - $25.00

Register early and guarantee your position in this unforgettable experience!

Download the form and register by: Calling (505) 255-1501 (credit card users only please) Fax: (505) 831-1638 Mail: Mariachi Spectacular! PO Box 27324 Albuquerque, NM 87125 Email: FresquezN@aol.com Download your forms from the sidebar on the right =>

Payment forms accepted

Personal checks, money order, cashier checks, official checks, PO# (accredited school systems only), VISA or Mastercard. For cash payments please call (505) 255-1501 to make arrangements. For more information please call: (505) 255-1501 or email us at FresquezN@aol.com

Please note: A Release Form MUST be signed by all registered students (Students under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian signature). Students will not be allowed to participate in workshop activities or any of its’ components without completed form.

International Mariachi Hall of Fame

• Pedro Ramirez - inducted 2007
• Maestro Miguel Martinez – Inducted 1994
• Maestro Jesus Rodriguez de Hijar – Inducted 1995
• Gonzalo Meza – Inducted 1996
• Maestro Heriberto Molina – Inducted 1997
• Maestro Manuel Esperon – Inducted 1998
• Maestro Arturo Mendoza – Inducted 2000
• Victor Cardenas Garica “El Pato” – Inducted 2002 Legendary Vihuela player with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan for over 46 years.
• Nativad “Nati” Santiago – Inducted 2004
• Maestro Rigoberto Alfaro – Inducted 2005 One of the most influential mariachi musicians and arrangers in the history of mariachi music.

MCM ELEGANTE

The Official Hotel for the 17th Annual Mariachi Spectacular. For special room rates and reservations please call 1-866-650-8900 OR 505-884-2511. Ask for the Mariachi Spectacular rate. Special rates available through May 25, 2007 for Students and Friends/Family of the Spectacular. For hotel information please visit: http://www.mcmelegante.com/

Dollar Rent-A-Car

The official rental car service used by the 17th Annual Mariachi Spectacular. While visiting Albuquerque and the surrounding area during the Mariachi Spectacular week, please call (505) 842-4224 for all your rental car needs. For worldwide reservations call 1-800-800-4000 or go to www.dollar.com

Showcase Concert & Competition

Downtown Civic Plaza, Albuquerque, NM
Friday, July 11, 2008 6:30 p.m.

We invite you to this wonderful family event held in Albuquerque’s Downtown Civic Plaza. The admission to this event is Free.

The Showcase Concert & Competition has become one of the most popular events in the Albuquerque area. This gives the community an opportunity to gather and support their students, friends, and family as they compete for top prizes. This event is open to all registered students/groups of the Mariachi Workshops.

All groups signed up for the competition are given 7 minutes in which to showcase their talent and ability to the audience, other groups, as well as a panel of 5 judges. The judges then rate each group based on selected criteria on a scale from 1 to 10. The group with the overall highest score at the end of the competition is the overall winner. They are given a beautiful trophy (excellent for display in a school trophy display case) and the opportunity to open Saturday Night’s Spectacular Concert at Sandia Resort & Casino’s Amphitheater, where they will share the stage with Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara, Mariachi Las Adelitas, and our special guests.

Workshop Times and Locations

(more information on right side)

Where:

Student Union Building on The University of New Mexico Campus

When:

July 9, 10 & 11 Wed 7/9-8am walk up registration 9-5workshops
Thurs 7/10 9-5 workshops Fri 7/11 9-3 workshops 3:30 sound check Downtown Civic Plaza

Mariachi Spectacular Welcomes Back Juan Mendoza Jr. as Voice Instructor!

Juan Mendoza, Jr. renowned international recording artist and member of the world famous Mendoza family will, once again, serve as the voice teacher of the 2008 Mariachi Spectacular’s Conference Workshops. Famous in his own right, Juan is the son of Juan Mendoza of Trio Tariacuri and nephew of Amalia Mendoza. His family roots are deep in the town of San Juan Huetamo in Michoacan. Mariachi Spectacular is proud to add Juan to our team and is confident that its students will benefit from his extensive experience and talent.

Register