Early Bird

Mariachi master receives more than $50,000 in grants and sponsorships

The funds and support will help Professor Lorenzo Trujillo promote Mexican culture and history through a musical event.

By Lindsey Coulter

October 16, 2019

Lorenzo A. Trujillo, Ed.D., affiliate professor of Music and director of the Los Correcaminos de MSU Denver, recently received four grants and sponsorships totaling $51,000 to support the 2020 Viva Southwest Mariachi Festival Workshop and Showcase on Feb. 15.

Co-sponsored by Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Latino Cultural Arts Center (and directed by Trujillo), the event annually draws students from across the region to participate in workshops taught by recording professionals and award-winning mariachi masters. A $15,000 grant from the Latino Cultural Arts Center of Colorado, a $5,000 gift from World Wide Money Exchange, a $1,000 gift from Vela Insurance, and media sponsorship valued at $30,000 from Entravision Colorado will help support and promote the event. The funds will also defray the cost of student participation and keep showcase tickets affordable for public attendees.

“Mariachi is an essential part of the mosaic of American identity; it unites all people in a fiesta of sound that excites both listeners and participants,” Trujillo said. “Students, listeners and musicians gain an appreciation of the richness of the Mexican culture and an understanding of history through music. The festival provides deep cross-cultural hands-on experiences to honor the past and celebrate the present.”

The all-ages event empowers students to build professional-level skills as mariachi musicians and instructors. Participants can take workshops on voice, instrumentation and ensemble performance and gain exposure to the many methods and styles of mariachi — including Son Jalisciense, Bolero, Huapango, Ranchera, Corrido and Waltz — as well as traditional mariachi clothing known as traje. The day will culminate in the popular public mariachi concert showcase featuring more than 200 students in their respective performance groups.

The vast repertoire of mariachi compositions tells stories of love, betrayal, death, politics and heroes and includes genre-specific instruments such as the guitarrón and vihuela. It is also intended to be performed anywhere and anytime and is not limited to stages.

Contact Trujillo at 303-615-1010 or Ltruji12@msudenver.edu for more information. Tickets are available from the King Center Box Office at 303-556-2296, or by visiting msudenver.edu/music. Registration will be available online through the Music Department beginning Dec. 1.