MARIACHI MUSIC PUNCTUATED THIS PANDEMIC WITH SONG
Mariachi music, the music of Mexicans and Mexican Americans, can be heard in many types of events of celebration or mourning for our people. What is a birthday celebration without “Las Mañanitas”? A wedding without “Somos Novios”? Or a funeral without “Amor Eterno” or “Las Golondrinas”?
When the COVID-19 pandemic started, all types of events stopped happening, our lives changed, and performances came to a pause. Mariachi musicians had to look for other sources of income in order to stay afloat during these hard times. About two months into the pandemic, work started to come in for mariachi musicians in the form of funerals, burials and celebrations of life. Some of the families did give us details, and many of the funeral services were due to someone losing a battle against COVID-19. But as the shutdowns continued, important workdays for mariachi musicians like Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were canceled, and celebrations happened at a smaller scale with drive-by serenades and/or virtual celebrations.
Today, mariachi musicians perform more events like socially distanced birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, bridal showers and engagement celebrations, and the funeral services that used to happen about once or twice per week now happen at least three to five times per week on average. We perform in the South Bay and our South Bay communities have been hit so hard with COVID-19. Even though we can’t confirm all of these events are COVID-19 related, there has been a big increase in the demand for mariachi funeral services all over San Diego County.
Our name is Mariachi Nueva Tradicion de San Diego, and we are composed of five young, hardworking and talented musicians who work every day to perfect our craft and bring the best quality mariachi music to the people of San Diego. The group consists of a vihuela, a guitarron, a violin and two trumpets. Our vihuela player, Solein Lopez-Viberos, is a music education student at San Diego State University with voice as her instrument of emphasis. She graduated from Southwestern College as a music major and with a mariachi specialization degree. Our guitarron player is Carlos Arellano, who studied music at Southwestern College and the music conservatory in Tijuana and is currently seeking to become a dental technician. Our violinist is Jillian Kardell. She has a bachelor of science degree in earth system science from UC Irvine and is currently seeking an associate’s degree in music from Southwestern College. Our trumpet player, Saul Garcia, is a music student at Southwestern College and seeking to finish his mariachi specialization degree. I have a mariachi specialization degree from Southwestern College, a bachelor of music degree in music education from SDSU, and am currently seeking a singlesubject teaching credential and master’s in education degree from National University.
Most members of our group studied mariachi music in the local Sweetwater Union High School District schools. Some started in middle school and others started in high school. By having the option to play mariachi music as one of our music electives, we had the opportunity to continue the beautiful tradition of playing mariachi music for our families and loved ones. Up until two years ago, I was a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, and, by having mariachi music in the schools, I was able to keep my grades up. It gave me a chance to participate in extracurricular activities like school and private performances, and most importantly, remain connected to my culture. Overall, mariachi music is an important part of our lives not only as musicians but as a means of income as well.
Although it is sad to be losing so many people, whether related to COVID-19 or not, mariachi music always brings something special to these celebrations of life, as we get to remember our loved ones through the songs they loved to listen to or sing. Music in general has this effect on everyone, whether it be a song that reminds us of a loved one or a song that brings happiness to our heart or tears to our eyes when we are sad.
I am hopeful that in the near future the COVID-19 pandemic stops affecting the beautiful people of San Diego and everyone else around the world so that everyone may come together to celebrate more festive events. As long as people continue to love their Mexican heritage and culture, mariachi music will continue to survive and students in our local schools will continue to create the beautiful music of our people. Your friends from Mariachi Nueva Tradicion de San Diego look forward to sharing our music with everyone!