Edwin Origel Mendez will be in San Antonio, TXto assist Steeven Sandoval in leading the 2nd Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp. Edwin was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and currently is a member of the ever so talented, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan. He first started playing the guitar at the age of 14 years old with his dad as his first instructor and when he turned 17 he started singing. Edwin also studied at the Instituto Cultural Cabanas in Guadalajara. Edwin has successfully recorded 8 CD’s with Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan. In 2013, Edwin taught vocal workshops with other renowned mariachi instructors such as Don Victor Cardenas, Rigoberto Alfaro, Jose Hernandez, Don Jesus Rodriguez de Hijar and Don “Naty” Cano. He has also taught vocals for many years as a vocal instructor at the Mariachi Encuentro Internacional delMariachi in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Edwin is mostly known for the songs “Del Alma Asero” and “El Triste.” We are very excited to have Edwin accompany Steeven Sandoval to assist the vocal camp participants. Continue reading ‘Mariachi Vocal Camp Brings In Top Vocal Instructors From Guadalajara’
They represent the best of high school mariachi groups in the nation and they’re ready to travel toAshland, Oregon, but we need your help! The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a not-for-profit amazing, theatre that produces many memorable and beautiful plays throughout their season which runs from February through early November. With 3 theatres, and 2 outdoor stages the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is able to provide many modern and contemporary Shakespearean and other classic writer’s plays. Continue reading ‘Help Send Rio Grande City HS Mariachi to Oregon’
Gabriela Fuentes, a harp player and mariachi director at McAulisse Middle School, had the privilege of interviewing Steeven Sandoval during the Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp last year. In this interview you will read about Steeven’s favorite memories with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, his influences and why he likes to sing in the shower! Steevenwill return to San Antonio in June to lead the 2nd Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp. Registration is now open, so do not miss this once and a lifetime chance to learn from one of the world’s best mariachi vocalist, Steeven Sandoval.
1. How many songs have you composed?
Well I don’t really consider myself a composer, I have written a few. Ideas come to you when you get inspired. Currently I have three songs that I’ve written that have been recorded and I have a few more…waiting for a rainy day.
2. What advice would you give me if I wanted to prepare to join a professional group?
A great deal of dedication, of course practice, but good quality practice, 1-2 hours would be great, as long as it is concentrated. But above all you must relinquish yourself to your instrument.
3. Who are your vocal influences/inspirations?
Living, I have to say Vicente Fernandez, I really admire him.
Passed on, Javier Solis, I really loved him.
4. When did you first start to sing?
Honestly the shower was my first teacher; the acoustics in the restroom are very encouraging. I don’t remember exactly when I started, but I was a young boy.
5. What was your first song that you learned to sing?
The great artist at the time was “Pedrito” Fernandez, and I learned all his songs. I believe the first one I learned was… (Singing)” Que te pasa Chiquita que te pasa…”yes “La de la Mochila Azul”.
6. When did you first start playing violin?
Actually, I started late in life, I was a stubborn boy that just wanted to play futbol (soccer). In fact I remembered one time I had come up with an idea. As I use to practice violin I would record myself practicing scales and exercises. So one day my friends invited me out to play but I had to sneak out. So I decided to leave the tape playing of me on the violin and snuck out with my friends. I thought it was a genius idea and had a great time with my friends. Upon my return I found my mom seated next to the tape player in my room, tape still playing, awaiting my return. I was scared she was going to hit me so I offered her my belt, so she would forgive me. She took my belt, but did not hit me. Instead she hurt me with her words; she looked at me and calmly said. “Steeven, I hope you don’t think I am stupid, because you cannot make me stupid. Only you can make yourself stupid. One day you will want to have a family, but how are you going to support them?” And she quietly walked out. That is when reality hit me and I knew selling hot dogs for $50 dollars a week was not going to sustain my future lifestyle. So I decided to truly dedicate myself to my instrument at the age of 14.
One of world’s top performing mariachi vocalist and violinist, Steeven Sandoval, will be in San Antonio to lead the 2nd Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp June 24-28 at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Steeven is one of the greatest vocalist who performed with the world’s preeminent Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán (1998 – 2012). He is best known for his rendition of Por Amor and also works as a songwriter and producer in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Continue reading ‘More Details for Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp’
It’s Fiesta time in San Antonio and Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza participants will perform! The prestigious Southwest School of Art is preparing for their many events including the Fiesta Arts Fair. The event will feature several of the 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza vocal finalists and winners.Continue reading ‘Mariachi Extravaganza Finalists Perform at Fiesta Arts Fair’
Fiesta is right around the corner and there is no better way to celebrate Fiesta and the Hispanic culture than the Fiesta Pops event!
Fiesta Pops is associated with the San Antonio Symphony and provides great music and cultural dance to preserve and express the love for Hispanic culture. Continue reading ‘Celebrate Fiesta with Fiesta Pops’
Remember Mexico’s baritone Octavio Moreno who sang Un Mundo Raro during the 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza student presentation in San Antonio in Dec.? Well he plays the role of Laurentino in the Houston Grand Opera’s Cruzar La Cara de La Luna playing at the Wortham Center – Brown Theater Thurs., March 21 and Sat. & Sun., March 23 – 24. For those who saw Octavio during the Extravaganza, you can relive the moment of his fantastic performance with the video link above. For those who missed it, enjoy. He’s amazing. His voice is simply breathtaking. Seeing him in Houston this week is a must!
There’s much happening in the world of mariachi music this weekend with 3 big events taking place on Saturday, March 23 in Houston, San Marcos and Edinburg. Cruzar La Cara de La Luna runs in Houston with Mariachi Vargas and the Houston Grand Opera. Texas State Universitywill host their Annual San Marcos Mariachi Festival where Sebastien De La Cruz will be presented with the Rising Star Award for his climb to the semi-finals on America’s Got Talent. UTPA in Edinburg presents Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandezwith the orchestra as part of Festiba. UTPA’s Mariachi Aztlan will perform along with winners of middle school and high school competitions. I look forward to keeping up with all 3 events with Facebook postings and Twitter feeds to include great photos and more. Follow me @mariachimusic.
Steeven Sandoval returns to San Antonio to lead the 2nd Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp set for June 24-28 at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Steeven is one of the greatest vocalist to have performed with the world’s preeminent Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. He is a now a vocalist and violinist with one of Mexico’s top performing groups Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan. He will be joined by Nuevo Tecalitlan’s vocalist and guitarist Edwin Origel Mendez. Continue reading ‘Steeven Sandoval returns to San Antonio for Vocal Camp’
A huge shout out to Phillip Benavidez and the KVDA Telemundo Team for recording, editing and producing the 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal and Group Competition DVDs. The DVDs are completed and will be mailed the first week of March. There is still time to order your very own copy by calling 210-225-3353 or emailing sandra@mariachimusic.com. Orders must be placed by March 1. Continue reading ’2012 Extravaganza Competition DVDs are in!’
