Mariachi Alegre: The Story

Based out of El Paso, Texas, Mariachi Alegre was established in 1994, and has quickly become one of the most popular mariachi groups in the region. This year they will be celebrating their 25th anniversary of providing mariachi music and culture to the southwest. In its origins, the group consisted of high school and University of Texas at El Paso students. It has now flourished to include a mix of professionals and university students that all share their same passion for music, and it prides itself on its member composition which includes a middle school teacher, a medical laboratory scientist, a radiologic technologist, and even a SISD school counselor with a Masters in Education in Guidance and Counseling! Currently, the group is an eleven- piece ensemble whose repertoire spans from the traditional rancheras, boleros, danzones and huapangos, to the not-so- traditional bluegrass, tangos and even El Paso-style oldies.Through the years, Mariachi Alegre has gone on to perform at various venues, festivals, and some out of state and country performances and conferences to include the Las Cruces, Tucson and Albuquerque International Mariachi Conferences, here at Music Under the Stars, and even in Disney World as part of their Festival Disney series. The group hopes to not only influence musicians around their community, but also take their music to as many people possible around the southwest.