When Marshalltown High School (MHS) Band Director Brett Umthun and Miller Middle School (MMS) Band Director Mary Potter first launched a mariachi program at their respective buildings, it required a bit of a learning curve as they attended workshops to hone in on some of the nuances of the popular musical style with roots in Mexico.

“A lot of the things carry through with some of our other music ensembles — balance, performance skills and things like that,” Potter said.

Trumpeter Stefani Gutierrez and guitarist Brian Garcia Quiroz are both MHS seniors now in their third year of the program, and while they had both grown up hearing the music, they had never played it themselves before joining the school group. Garcia Quiroz relished the chance to learn about a new culture and broaden his horizons through the guitar, and he found it interesting that most of the songs are in 3/4 (by contrast, 4/4 is the most common time signature). Gutierrez was drawn to the emotion conveyed in the music and the appreciation they received from the public.

“I honestly think it’s really fun. When we got to play for the community and see reactions from people because they don’t expect it, I think that’s really fun,” she said.

Because it is new to most of the participating musicians, Potter said it typically takes several months before a middle school group can perform for the public, but once they get to high school, they’re already familiar and prepared to continue playing even after they graduate — Briar Cliff University in Sioux City is now offering mariachi scholarships, while a few others are interested in following suit.

Umthun, who also directs the Marshalltown Community Band, hopes the mariachi program will open the doors for postsecondary opportunities as well as a lifelong love of the music. Next Thursday, the MHS and Miller groups will host a special joint performance inside the MCSD Orpheum Welcome Center located at 220 E. Main St.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.