School on a Mission to Clean Up Mariachi Music Jo Tuckman - The Guardian
go to original June 20, 2014

Leticia Soto, the American-born director of the Mariachi Ollin Yoliztli School in Mexico City, tells the BBC why it is important for mariachi musicians to have formal training. (BBC)

Striding across the Plaza Garibaldi with guitar and violin in hand, Alberto and Jésus Jiménez stand out among the dozens of musicians dotted around the Mexico City square long considered the heart of mariachi music. They wear the same bolero jackets, floppy ties and tight trousers with silver buttons down the side – but they look just too clean-cut, and their stride too purposeful, to blend in with the square's sleazy traditions.

"We are the new generation," says 25-year-old Jésus, his twin brother nodding in agreement. "Our priority is to be better musicians."

The Jiménez brothers are students of Mexico's first mariachi school, launched with a mission to tackle the aura of decadence surrounding mariachi.

"A lot of people associate mariachi music with negative stereotypes like the fat macho man in a dirty suit with a bottle of tequila in one hand and the instrument in the other," says Leticia Soto, the Mexican American who runs the Ollin Yoliztli Mariachi School. "Mariachi requires dignification."

Read the rest at The Guardian

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!