REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY for the 27th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza (MVE27) set for December 2-4, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. The event will take place at the Lila Cockrell Theatre and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center located on the River Walk in the heart of downtown San Antonio. It’s all happening in only 13 weeks!

The link to register for mariachi groups and individuals is available on mariachimusic.com. 

Click here to register a mariachi group and click here to register as an individual. For those entering the vocal competition, please register as an individual even if you are included in a group registration. 

With your registration, you will receive access to the following events held during the MVE27:

Mariachi Workshops

The Mariachi Workshops attract over 1,000 mariachi musicians and directors to learn from members of the world-renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Workshops focus on expanding student’s knowledge of mariachi music, technique and skills. The workshops offer a rare opportunity to acquire hard-to-find, original, one-of-a kind mariachi compositions that can be used in the classrooms. This is music that will be cherished throughout a lifetime.

National Mariachi Vocal Competitions

The National Mariachi Vocal Competitions showcase around 40 of the top mariachi vocalists in the nation from elementary to college age. Students will compete for the title of Grand Champion Vocalist and open for Vargas at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza concert. Competitions are judged by members of Mariachi Vargas and are based on vocal technique, projection and intonation among other elements. Scholarships, grants and travel and performance opportunities are awarded to competition winners.

National Mariachi Group Competitions

The National Mariachi Group Competitions are the largest and most competitive student competitions in the world for middle school, high school and college and university students. This is where premiere student mariachi groups go head-to-head for the chance to open at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza finale concert. Emotions run high as ensembles put their all into performances onstage.

National Mariachi High School Group Finals

The National Mariachi High School Group Finals feature the best of the very best among mariachi groups in the high school category – the largest category in the competitions. Final scores in this event are so close that fractions of a point are what differentiates rankings between first, second and third place winners. Top winners open for Vargas and represent the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza when travel opportunities arise. Note: Bragging rights are included! Click here for a complete schedule and important dates.

There are several modifications planned this year to maneuver around the Covid situation and keep everyone safe in the process. First, events are being spaced out to give participants more time in between each event. Please make note of some of the changes occurring this year:

• Mariachi Workshops will be held on Thursday, December 2 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Lila Cockrell Theatre and Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. General workshops will be held with everyone inside the Lila Cockrell Theatre starting every hour on the hour while individual workshops take place simultaneously with members of Mariachi Vargas. Each group that registers will have a 40 minute session with one member of Mariachi Vargas in a private room scheduled during the 4-hour period. Each Mariachi Director will decide how he/she prefers to best utilize this time.

• National Mariachi Group Competitions will be held on Friday, December 3 all day. The exact start time will be determined by early November and will be based on the total number of groups registered. National High School Finals will remain on Saturday following the vocal competitions in the morning. There is a possibility that every other row will be marked off during the competitions inside the Lila Cockrell Theatre to allow for more elbow room. Because the venue seats 2,300, seating MAY be limited. Do sign up for the mariachimusic.com newsletter to read updates on this year’s MVE27. 

• A Monthly Director’s Zoom Meeting is being held for all mariachi directors interested in attending the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. The purpose of the meeting is to stay in close communication between now and the MVE27 in order to make modifications along the way due to Covid-19. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8 at 4:30 PM. A link for the Zoom Call will be sent out via email to mariachi directors by 5 pm on September 7th. Please make plans to attend. If you did not receive a link, and would like to join in, please email cynthia@mariachimusic.com. 

The Grand Hyatt Hotel is the host hotel and the only hotel connected to the Lila Cockrell Theatre and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. It’s all within walking distance and quite convenient. Rooms are filling up quickly at the MVE27 special rate of $144 so click here to make your registration today. 

This year’s event will not be your typical event since this is not a typical year. As we all try to maneuver around the continuation of this Covid crisis, PLEASE START PLANNING NOW to help make this year’s MVE27 the safest and best experience for all. 

Encourage all students, directors and associate directors to get vaccinated. We’re unsure what the city ordinance will be at the time of the MVE but there MAY be a requirement to show proof of vaccination or proof of a recent COVID test and wearing a mask MAY be a requirement in December.

We are very much looking forward to hearing some great music and to seeing everyone. Music will help us all heal from this tumultuous time in history. 

Best to all and thank you for your work and preparation in helping to make this year’s event the greatest event of the year!