Mariachi Nueva Generation wins first at Vargas Extravaganza

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
December 7, 2012

Mariachi Nueva Generacion from Texas State University took first place at the annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio at San Antonio's Lila Cockrell Theatre on Dec. 1.

This marks the sixth time in seven years Mariachi Nueva Generacion has finished first at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. The competition consists of an ensemble competition on Friday evening and a vocal competition of Saturday morning.

In the individual vocal competition, Texas State student Karen Zavala won Best In the U.S., and Nelson Ruiz finished third. Texas State has competed regularly in the vocal competition since 2009 and has built a solid tradition of champion vocalists.

The Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza is considered by many in the mariachi community to be one of the premier mariachi competitions in the country. Texas State’s Mariachi Nueva Generacion has been a regular competitor at this event since 2003.

Mariachi Nueva Generacion will perform at the spring festival, Feria del Mariachi, March 22-23. The School of Music's Latin Music Studies area will present a “Rising Star” award to America’s Got Talent semifinalist, Sebastien De La Cruz, during the festival.

For more information, contact John Lopez at johnlopez@txstate.edu.