Chicago’s Benito Juarez Community Academy Students Uphold Mariachi Music and Tradition During Hispanic Heritage Month

CHICAGO (WLS) — Benito Juarez High School in Pilsen is the only Chicago Public School that offers Mariachi as a class.

Since 1994, the school has been building the next generation of Mariachi stars.

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“Music, especially Mariachi, it brings a lot of people together,” said Analilyn Cervantes.

Cervantes is a junior who plays the violin with the Mariachi Águilas de Benito Juarez Community Academy.

“Being a part of this program holds significant value for me as my family has a rich heritage of musicians,” Cervantes expressed. “Both my grandpa and mom are in a Mariachi band, and I aspire to join that ensemble as well.”

Guiding the students is music educator Michael Espinosa. He took over teaching this special accredited Mariachi class in 2016.

“Our objective isn’t necessarily to create the finest ensemble or to secure the most funding,” Espinosa remarked. “Although those would be wonderful achievements, the true aim is to provide students with avenues to engage with the music.”

This involves demonstrating to students how this centuries-old tradition has evolved.

“I demonstrate to them how various Mariachi musicians and groups are innovating by playing things like video game music, rock classics, and all sorts of unexpected pieces,” Espinosa explained. “They’re evolving to the next level.”

“Espinosa encourages us to venture into learning new instruments,” shared member Marisol Santos. “I’ve always played guitar, but by the end of last year, he suggested I learn the trumpet, and that’s what I’m focusing on now.”

And the students are highly sought after for performances.

“When I perform and see the audience laughing or getting excited by our music, it fills me with happiness because I know they appreciate what we’re doing, and it motivates me to keep improving,” Santos revealed.

“Witnessing the audience’s reactions – how it evokes memories of their family or loved ones – is truly a special experience,” stated member Ella Mijares. “Music always has a way of connecting to family.”

Espinosa said the group is so popular, they actually have to turn down gigs-because at the end of the day, these are still students who have school work to focus on.

There next performance is Saturday at the American Airlines terminal at O’Hare from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.