The McAllen High School Mariachi Oro is on its way to the MASBA/UIL State Finals once again.
After winning the State Championship for Class 5A in 2014, the McAllen High performers will be competing in the Class 6A ranks Feb. 6-8 at the Southwest High School Performing Arts Center in San Antonio.
The Mariachis qualified at the South Area UIL/MASBA (Mexican American School Board Association) Mariachi Competition January 24 in Edinburg.
“It was the first time up on a big stage for this new group of competing kids but they really stepped up to the plate and received straight Division 1 Superior ratings from all the judges,” McAllen High Mariachi Director Alex Trevino said. “They delivered an awesome performance in what is an extremely competitive event. I am exceedingly proud of all the progress they've made these last few weeks in preparation for this event. Their hard work has definitely paid off.”
McAllen High will compete with teams from Grand Prairie, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Laredo, and the Valley.
There will also be live YouTube streaming available the day of the event.
In addition to winning the state championship last year (the first in the program’s history) the McAllen High Mariachi Oro earned an “Outstanding Performance Award” and second place overall at the Mariachi Nationals and Summer Institute Conference & Competition in August in Costa Mesa, California.
Team member Kyline Stephens earned an “Outstanding Performance Award” and took first place in the Mariachi National Vocals performing the winning song, Lo Que Un Día Fue No Será, at the Orange County Fair in California, also in August.
Pictured are members of the 2014-15 McAllen High School Mariachi Oro. They will compete in the state finals February 6-8 in San Antonio. In the front row, left to right, are Kamryn Ramírez, Brianna Ramos, Lindsey Garza, Kyline Stephens, Mía Treviño, Katherine Pérez, Perla Alonzo and Michael Hall. In the back row, left to right, are Neri Fuentes, Eddy Villarreal, Darrel Fuentes, Christopher Echevarría, Alex Treviño II, Víctor López, Pablo Vargas, Saúl Ruiz and Alan Maciel.