Vocal Competition

The Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Competition is a traditional mariachi vocal competition for elementary, middle school, high school and college/university students. It is the largest and most competitive mariachi vocal competition in the world, and the only one of its kind that is judged by members of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán.

Judging criteria includes:

  • Pronunciation/Diction
  • Pitch
  • Interpretation/Style
  • Clarity/Precision
  • Stage Presence & Showmanship
  • Volume

Students must submit a YouTube audition video for the preliminary phase of this competition. Submitted recordings are reviewed by a panel of judges. Approximately 40 finalists are selected from the audition entries and will be announced on mariachimusic.com by 10 AM on NOV 1.

The Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Group Competition is open to the public. Competition wristbands may be purchased online prior to the competition at a discounted rate or on the day of the event at the theater entrance for full price. Competition wristbands allow entry into the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Group, National Vocal and High School Group Finals competitions.

Individual/Vocal RegistrationFee Information
Rules and Regulations for All ParticipantsNational Vocal Competition Rules and RegulationsNational Vocal Competition Helpful Hints

Rules and Regulations for All Participants

  • Registration opens September 1st.
  • All participants must be registered for the conference.
  • Registration fee must be by October 15 for those competing in the vocal competition and not coming with a participating school group. All vocal competition registration fees are non-refundable after October 15th.
  • Student participants must be in good academic standing and be no more than 27 years old.
  • Registrants are allowed entry into all events listed on the schedule of events page, except for the event at JazzTX and the Mariachi Vargas concert. Tickets for the JazzTX event may be purchased at www.jazztx.com. Tickets for the Mariachi Vargas concert may be purchased at ticketmaster.com.
  • A live drawing on the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Facebook page will determine the order of competition. Please check the schedule of events for the date of drawing.

National Vocal Competition Rules and Regulations

  • Students must submit an entry with one complete song under four (4:00) minutes in length by October 1. Popurrís or medleys are not permitted.
  • ONLY YouTube video submissions will be accepted. This helps to alleviate the cost associated with having to go into a recording studio to record vocal submissions, and is also meant to simplify the process.
  • Please upload your video submission to YouTube and add the link onto the individual registration form. YouTube vocal entry links may also be forwarded to debra@mariachimusic.com and sandra@mariachimusic.com.
  • Submissions must be recorded using a live or pre-recorded guitar or mariachi group accompaniment. Entries submitted with keyboards, synthesized instruments, computer-generated music, or other non-traditional mariachi accompaniment will be disqualified.
  • Each vocal competitor must submit an Individual Registration form even if you are coming with a participating group. This is just for information on your vocal entry and your director will still need to register you as part of the group registration.
  • ALL vocal registration FEES are DUE BY OCTOBER 15 unless registering with a mariachi group. No refunds will be given.
  • Finalists may be randomly selected to introduce their song, talk about its meaning in English and how he or she personally relates to it.
  • Finalists selected may compete with a prerecorded mariachi track (pista), or with a live mariachi group that is registered as a participant in the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza.
  • All finalists must compete with the same song that they submitted for the audition.

National Vocal Competition Helpful Hints

  • Plan, prepare and practice well in advance of the competition!
  • Participants are strongly encouraged to select songs appropriate for their age and gender.
  • Choose a selection you would consider to be one of your “signature songs.”
  • Video submissions must be clear and close up. Below are a couple of examples on videos where the voice can be clearly heard and the face can be clearly seen:
  • Videotape yourself several times and submit your strongest entry.
  • Make sure that while recording your video submission there are NO distracting noises in the background. It’s important that your voice is heard clearly on the recording.