Susan Torres Nevarez, director
J.J. Barrera, director
This concert will last about 75 minutes without intermission.
Please silence your electronic devices.
Photography, video, or recording of any part of this performance is prohibited
Program
Narciso Martinez 1911-1922
La Barranca
(The Ravine)
Polka
Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez 1939-2025
Lucerito 1988
(Little Star)
Ranchera
A song expressing the frustration of being in a non-committal relationship.
Ruben Vela 1937-2010
El Coco Rayado 1994
(The Striped Coconut)
Cumbia
Marco Antonio Solis b. 1959
Tu Carcel 1986
(Your Prison)
Ranchera
This is one of the most iconic songs in Regional Mexican music. It was written by Marco Antonio Solís and originally performed by his band Los Bukis. The lyrics tell the story of romantic heartbreak, with the title “Tu Cárcel” symbolizing the emotional trap of staying in a broken relationship. Although the song was not originally written as a conjunto track, it has since been adapted into the conjunto style and is enjoyed by many conjunto fans.
Alvaro Carillo 1919-1969
Sabor a Mi 1959
(The Taste of Me)
As the story goes, composer, Alvaro Carillo and his fiancé Ana, were having dinner during which Alvaro was drinking liquor and exchanging a few kisses with her. Ana asked Carillo to stop kissing her because all she could taste was the liquor on his lips. Carrillo said, “The taste you carry on your lips is not liquor, it’s the taste of me.” It was then, the inspiration for the song was born.
Los Garcia Bros. b. 1990
El Cometa 2000
(The Comet)
Cumbia
El Gran Sabor de Adrian Diaz est. 2014
Pachuco 2019
Cumbia
A pachuco refers to a young Mexican-American man, who embodied a unique cultural identity characterized by distinct fashion, attitudes, and lifestyle during the 1940s. Pachucos were notable for their flamboyant zoot suits, which included wide-brimmed hats and loose-fitting clothing. The Pachuco subculture emerged in the context of discrimination and social challenges faced by Mexican Americans. (courtesy of Fiveable Content Team)
Santiago Jimenez, Sr. 1913-1984
La Piedrera 1942
(The Rock Quarry)
Polka
Student Spotlight. Our recital program briefly travels south of the border to feature two selections played in the Sierreño style performed by UT Conjunto students, Julian Gonzalez and Ben Aguayo. Sierreño music is a style of regional Mexican music that comes from the mountain regions (“sierra”) of northern Mexico. The word sierreño literally means “from the mountains.” It is traditionally performed with an acoustic guitar, bajo sexto, and bass. In recent years, sierreño music has experienced a surge in popularity among Gen Z listeners.
Juan Jose Espinoza Guevara
Atotonilco 1937
Originally recorded as a song before being recorded as a polka and made popular by Conjunto pioneer, Tony de la Rosa.
Raymundo Perez y Soto 1908-1991
Prenda del Alma 1929
(Garment of the Sol)
Waltz
Conjunto is grateful to tonight’s special musical Guest, the University's own, Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlán for their generous collaboration on this song!
Hector Quintero Ballesteros
Cumbia del Sol
(Cumbia of the Sun)
This song celebrates the joy that community, music and dancing can bring while dancing under the sun.
Tony De La Rosa 1931-2004
El Lucero 1991
(The Star)
Huapango
Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez 1939-2025
Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio 1990
(I’ll Be Leaving You In San Antonio)
Ranchera
A breakup song about ending a relationship with a woman in San Antonio (and leaving here there), at the frustration of a non-committal relationship.
About the Program
Conjunto music, also known as Tex-Mex music, is a vibrant, original Texas music, rooted in the cultural history of South Texas and northern Mexico. It originated in South Texas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, created by Tejano (Texas-Mexican) musicians who blended traditional Mexican music with the musical influences of German, Polish, and Czech immigrants. The classic conjunto features accordion, bajo sexto, bass, and drums, creating a lively and distinctive sound.
Over time, conjunto music has become an important form of cultural expression for Mexican American communities in Texas. The music tells stories of everyday life, celebration, hardship, and identity. The University of Texas at Austin Conjunto ensemble plays an important role in preserving and sharing this tradition by introducing new generations of musicians and audiences to the rich heritage of conjunto music. Tonight’s performance celebrates this enduring musical legacy and the students who continue to keep the tradition alive.
About Mariachi
Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlán is the official mariachi group of the University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1977. The ensemble was created by graduate students in a folklore class led by Américo Paredes (1916–1999), a major figure in border studies, Mexican American studies, and anthropology. The group was named in his honor and began in the university’s Folklore Department before later moving under the Music Department.
Early leaders and performers included Dan Dickey, Bill Gradante, Manuel Peña, and John Schechter, while ethnomusicologist Gerard Béhague supervised the ensemble for many years. Today, it is directed by Greg Cavazos.
The group has collaborated with major Latin music stars such as Becky G, Ángela Aguilar, and Leonardo Aguilar on the music video for Por el Contrario. They also performed a mariachi version of Summer of Luv with Portugal. The Man at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
In 2025, the ensemble debuted at South by Southwest at the venue Antone's Nightclub and earned international recognition from the city of Bandung, Indonesia after performing at the Indonesia International Cultural Festival.
The ensemble continues to promote and preserve the mariachi tradition through performances, collaborations, and recordings.
Musicians
Domenica Aburto de la Fuente
Accordion, Vocals
Ben Aguayo
Bajo Quinto
Esteban Alvarado
Bajo Quinto
Li-Ana Ayala
Bass
Sebastian Calzadillas
Drums
Emily Castillo-Espinoza
Vocals
Julian Gonzalez
Tololoche, Bajo Quinto
Nicholas Hernandez
Accordion
Rodrigo Leal
Accordion, Saxophone
Rivers Liu
Bajo Quinto
Samuel Ramirez-Mar
Accordion, Vocals
Event Details
Free admission