Thursday,  October 1st is the deadline to submit an entry to audition for the 15th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Vocal Competition in San Antonio. The competition attracts among the most talented male and female students from elementary to college age in the largest competition of its kind in the US. Finalists selected will compete at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, November 21 at 9:00 a.m. Judges are members of the internationally acclaimed and Mexico City based Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan who will select first, second and third place winners in each of 3 categories and one “Best in the US” vocalist.

“The Mariachi Extravaganza Vocal Competition is the “American Idol” of the mariachi music world,” says Ismael A La Torre, manager of Mariachi Los Galleros de San Antonio and a member of the vocal competition planning committee. “It’s a great opportunity for young people to experience some of the greatest talent that exists among their peers and to have the opportunity to perform and be judged by the greatest mariachi musicians and vocalists in the world- Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan,” he added. The “Best in the US” mariachi vocal winner opens for Mariachi Vargas on Nov. 21 in San Antonio and has the opportunity to tour with the group in selected markets in 2010. Interested participants can register for the vocal competition at www.mariachimusic.com or call 210-225-3353 for more information.