Saturday, October 1 marks the deadline to submit a CD, and complete the online application, for the Mariachi Extravaganza vocal competition. Finalists will be selected and posted on mariachimusic.com on November 1. The competition is the largest, most competitive and longest-running mariachi vocal competition in the U.S. and the only competition judged by members of the internationally renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan.

 

Here’s how it works.

Interested participants from elementary to college age may submit a CD with the song they plan to sing during the vocal competition. There is no age requirement to participate, however, all participants must be enrolled in school. CDs must be postmarked by Oct. 1 and mailed to the Mariachi Extravaganza at P.O. Box 23250, San Antonio, Texas 78223. CDs may be hand delivered with prior arrangements by calling MPR at 210-225-3353.

 

CDs received by Oct. 1 will be sorted into 4 categories: Elementary, Middle School, High School and College/University. A panel of vocal experts in mariachi will gather to judge the preliminary entries and select the finalists who will compete on Saturday, December 3 at the Lila Cockrell Theater. Approximately 30 – 36 finalists will be selected.

 

Members of Mariachi Vargas will determine first, second and third place winners in each of the 4 categories. One student will be selected as the “Best Mariachi Vocalist in the US.”

 

Previous “Best Mariachi Vocalist in the US” winners include:

Karenn Lazo, Roma, TX, 2010

Celeste Curiel, San Antonio, TX 2009

Selina Elizondo, San Antonio, TX 2008

Esteban Velasquez, Odessa, TX, 2007

Fabiola Rivera, Laredo, TX, 2006

Monique Alvarado, San Antonio, TX, 2005

Monica Martinez, Laredo, TX, 2004

Anastasia Wilkins, San Antonio, TX, 2003

Mayra Guerra, Roma, TX, 2002

Virginia Stille, Houston, TX, 2001

Victoria Acosta, San Antonio, TX, 2000

Vanessa Cerda, Houston, TX, 1999

Jackie Morales, San Antonio, TX, 1998

Eddie Amaya, Harlingen, TX 1997

The “Best Mariachi Vocalist in the US” winner will be invited to open for Mariachi Vargas on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 at the Lila Cockrell Theater. The winner will also be invited to represent the Mariachi Extravaganza in performances throughout the US.

 

The mariachi vocal competition is part of San Antonio’s 17th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza that runs November 27 – December 4. A complete schedule of events is posted on mariachimusic.com.

 

Questions regarding the vocal competition? Please call 210-225-3353.