From Dr. Rachel Yvonne Cruz
The Art of Mariachi provides a resource tool for mariachi educators, certified teacher, or not, mariachi specialist, or not, to standardize mariachi education through the incorporation of national and state standards of music education and the creation of mariachi curriculum built around those standards. Paperback Edition Available
The Art of Mariachi: A Curriculum Guide
Published December, 2017
Paperback, 118 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0692994238
This book was written to facilitate proficiency in musical performance, both solo and ensemble, and good musicianship. Its aim, to expand ensemble and educational opportunities for students, improving outcomes by providing an understanding of mariachi notation, technique, history, culture, and the pedagogy necessary for teachers of mariachi to be confident about lesson planning and curriculum building for the classroom. Thus, through the standardization of mariachi curriculum, the next level of achievement for students of mariachi is the concert auditorium, higher education, and careers in music.
Praise for The Art of Mariachi by Dr. Rachel Yvonne Cruz
“The Art of Mariachi serves as a valuable tool for educators to pass on the important musical traditions of mariachi. The author, Rachel Yvonne Cruz, provides clear and engaging methods towards teaching mariachi with a Learner-Centered approach that builds off of students’ histories and strengths, while providing curriculum that meets Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. The text is designed to help teachers of mariachi, whether expert or not, enable their students to understand mariachi notation, musical technique, historical context, and cultural history. Further, the book will help teachers preserve mariachi expression and culture by preparing future generations for concert performance, academic study, and careers in music. While the text is designed for teachers, anyone who is interested in learning more about the art of mariachi music will gain important insight and knowledge from this text.”
—Marco Cervantes
Associate Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio
About the Author
Dr. Rachel Yvonne Cruz
Dr. Rachel Yvonne Cruz is an assistant professor of Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is in charge of establishing an area of study and organizing the necessary curricula for a Mexican American Music concentration.
Dr. Cruz is the founder and award-winning director of mariachi programs at Texas A&M International and Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) universities. At OLLU, Cruz was integral in the creation of the first BA degree with a specialization in mariachi performance and pedagogy.
As a business entrepreneur, Dr. Cruz was the proprietor of the International Academy of Music and the Arts (IAMA) and IAMA Sound Lab. She also served as Artistic Director of Mariachi Corazón de San Antonio and was a consultant for the Main Plaza Conservancy’s Annual High School Mariachi Festival and Competition; another venue by which she feeds the pipeline for up-and-coming Mariachi ensembles and educators, since 2012.