Mariachi Sol de México March 4th, 2019, 10 – 11am All Grades

This study guide will give you background information, discussion questions, and activity ideas to do with your class before and after the performance at the PAEC. Performance Information: Look and Listen For: You will see a large group of musicians singing many different Different kinds of songs while playing instruments. Their style of music and instruments Different styles of songs performance is called "mariachi." Mariachi dates to at least the Costumes 18th century in western Mexico. In the early 20th century, as The performers’ jobs many farm workers moved to Mexico City, mariachi changed from How the performers work together. rural folk music to an urban art that represents all of Mexico. How you can hear different Most mariachi songs are about, love, death, politics, heroes, instruments or singers stand manliness (“machismo”), and country life. “La Negra” is out at different times. When the music is soft or considered the mariachi "national anthem." “La Cucaracha” is loud, fast or slow, calm or another famous mariachi song. “Las Mañanitas” is a popular song exciting, happy or sad, etc. The expression shown by the for birthdays. The “charro outfit” became the traditional clothing performers and the music. of mariachis starting in the late 1800s. A charro is a certain style of How the mood of the music traditional Mexican horseman. The first female mariachi changes within each piece and from song to song. performers started in the 1940s and ‘50s. What images come to mind People commonly hire mariachis to perform at weddings, and what emotions you feel birthdays, baptisms, funerals, and other special events. There are when you listen. Which songs you like the now many mariachi groups around the world. Modern mariachi best. music includes influences from other styles while remaining Have you heard any of these songs before? faithful to its traditions. About Mariachi Sol de Mexico and Jóse Hernàndez: México’s authentic musical heritage lives on through the voice of Sol de México®! Jóse Hernàndez, a fifth-generation mariachi, invites you to experience their dynamic energy and rich cultural expression through extraordinary musicianship and communal cross-generational joy. When he created Mariachi Sol de México® in 1981, Jóse set the Latin musical world afire with new original rhythms, sounds and ideas. He composes, arranges, sings, and plays trumpet, violin, guitarrón, and vihuela for the group. An internationally-recognized musician, composer and educator, Jóse Hernàndez continues to break boundaries in the world of mariachi and bring the pleasure of mariachi music to audiences all across the globe.

Jóse Hernàndez’s Mariachi Guide: Mariachi Instruments: Clean boots, clothes, haircut, nails, and presentation. Guitar Remember, we are striving to get rid of the image of the Violin stereotypical pot-bellied Mariachi sitting under the cactus. Trumpet When accompanying a singer, do not over shadow the star. Harp Once on stage do not practice parts, it looks unprofessional. Vihuela Mexicana: a five- Adjust attitude and facial expressions to type of the song you stringed rounded-back are performing. guitar Do not talk to person next to you on stage unless it’s part of the : a five- act. Guitarra de golpe Always keep in subtle touch with section leader, vocal cutoffs, stringed flat-back guitar and director, but DO NOT IGNORE THE AUDIENCE. Guitarron: a large six- When featured as a solo singer your arm movements and facial stringed rounded-back expressions need to complement the lyrics of the song. bass guitar Practice in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable. Choosing the right variety of songs and change of tempos are "M important for your choice of repertoire. PLEASING THE y fat that her a AUDIENCE ALWAYS COMES FIRST. the d lway is w ay m s said Have fun and enjoy yourself during the performance. DO NOT ork ariac is the hi m GET UPTIGHT! …Qu day usic e Viv you a Ma die." riach Remember: i! Watching live music on stage is not like going to a movie because the performers can hear you! Please don't distract them, but do clap at the end. Show the musicians that you appreciate their hard work and help everyone have a good time! Discussion Questions (before and after the show): Recommended Reading: Who has gone to a live show before? What was it like? How is it Finding the Music, by different from going to a movie? Jennifer Torres Is music important in your life? Why? Miguel and the Grand Does anyone play an instrument? How do you feel when you Harmony, by Matt de la Peña play it? What does it take to be good? What does it take to play Made in Mexico, by Peter with others? Laufer Has anyone ever seen mariachi before? What do you know El mejor mariachi del mundo, about mariachi music and style? What do you wonder about? by J.D. Smith What makes up a mariachi group? What are the parts? What are Señor Don Gato: A Traditional they for? How do they work together? What is the purpose of Song, by John Manders mariachi? Esquivel!: Space-age Sound Mariachi brings the culture of Mexico to the world. What parts of Artist, by Susan Wood your culture would you like to share with the world? Sing, Don't Cry, by Angela What different kinds of songs did Mariachi Sol de México® play? Dominguez What did you feel or imagine when you heard them? How did Musicians of the Sun, by the performers create different moods in the songs? Gerald McDermott What different kinds of instruments did Mariachi Sol de México® Danza! Amalia Hernández play? What is the impact of the number of each instrument? How and El Ballet Folklórico De do they work together? Which do you wish you could play? México, by Duncan Tonatiuh If you speak Spanish, how did you feel hearing the songs? If you don’t speak Spanish how did you feel? Could you still understand the expression and enjoy the music? “To beli After the performance, what new ideas or understanding do you eve i me n ma have? What was interesting and what was challenging? What p ans h riac assio avin hi did you used to think and what do you think now? n for g a – Jó life What would you like to tell the PAEC about your experience at se H itself ernàn .” the show? (We'd love to hear from you!) dez

These materials are solely for educators' non-commercial use. Activity Ideas (before and after the performance): Aligned Standards: Preview videos of Mariachi Sol de México® at Music Anchor Standards, Creating 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas soldemexicomusic.com with your students. Note aspects to look and work; 2: Organize and develop artistic for in the upcoming show and chart the questions your students ideas and work; 3: Refine and complete artistic work. ask. After the performance see what questions they can answer Music Anchor Standards, Performing/ or investigate. Presenting/ Producing 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for After the performance, have students respond. Discuss the presentation; 5: Develop and refine artistic music, the skills, the expression, the costumes, how and what techniques and work for presentation; 6: Convey meaning through the meanings were conveyed, and what connections to other arts, presentation of artistic work. stories, or their own lives the students can make. Music Anchor Standards, Responding 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work; 8: Have students write reviews of the show. Have them include Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work; 9: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic what they liked, what they did not like, what parts they work. remember the best, and what they think of the performers. Music Anchor Standards, Connecting 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and Investigate Mexico and its cultural characteristics , including the personal experiences to make art; 11: history and different styles of mariachi and Mexican folk music. Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to What does it take to become a mariachi? deepen understanding. Learn to sing and/or play instruments with some popular Social Studies EALR 3: Geography Component 3.1: Understands the physical mariachi songs. characteristics, cultural characteristics, Play a piece of mariachi music. Have students listen quietly. Tell and location of places, regions, and spatial patterns on the Earth’s surface. them to let their ears wander and take in as much as possible. World Languages Learning Standards: Chart or have students list ten words or phrases about any Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, Communities aspect of what they hear. Listen again and try to add 10 more items to your list. Play a piece of mariachi music. One student identifies a specific section of the piece and describes what he or she hears. Another person elaborates on the first person’s observations by adding more detail about the section. Continue, then have a student pick a new section. Have students create their own instruments out of found or recycled materials. Students can represent music with math and math with music because both subjects use number concepts, sequence, groupings, and patterns. Have students create a rhythmic phrase and play it on their bodies or an instrument to feel and hear the pattern. Students can also use music to demonstrate problem-solving. Have students create song lyrics for mariachi music based on curricular content or set favorite or student-written poems to the music. Play mariachi music to use as a writing, art-creating, or dancing prompt. What mood, meaning, or expression are the students Please see trying to convey? www.fwpaec.org for Have students write about their experience watching Mariachi Sol de México® using these sentence stems: “I used to think… our field trip guide Now I think…” and more resources!