This Wednesday, students taking Spanish got the opportunity to hear Akins High School’s mariachi band perform. The rhythmic beat of the guitar blended with the melody of the violins and trumpets, fully engaging students in the music. Bowie students watch with awe as the singers belt into the microphone, singing Spanish songs such as Amor Eterno and Me Equivoque Contigo. By the end of a song the auditorium is filled with applause and shouts of “uno mas” or one more.
“Once we come back to the classroom from events like this, students are more connected to me and each other,” Spanish teacher Erika Mitchel said. “They are more eager to learn the language and vocabulary, there is definitely a change.”
Being able to see the language in context is an effective way of learning for students, as most would have an experience like hearing a live mariachi band, then memorizing vocabulary for a quiz. Students look forward to class as they are now able to make real life connections with what they are learning in class because of this event.
“They get to appreciate diversity once they see kids the same age performing, playing instruments, singing in Spanish, and doing this amazing music,” Mitchell said.
Akins High school mariachi band has been a part of Akins fine arts programs for four years. They immerse their audience in the Spanish culture through non-profit performances and take home trophies in competitions. Akins mariachi band coming to Bowie allowed for Bowie students to participate in the culture and see a genre of music that isn’t offered at Bowie.
“I just feel proud that they learned the song all the way from beginning to end and now they’re putting on a show,” Akins High School mariachi director Susana Diza-Lopes said. “Seeing them perform the finished product, I feel very happy for them.”
After the performance Bowie learned more about the instrument that makes mariachi special, the guitarron. Students learn how the guitarron differs from a normal guitar, as it is twice the size of a regular guitar and the back creates a curved “v” shape, adding a deep bass sound to the music.
“I think this really was a fun way to involve students into the culture,” junior Izi Kalyoncuoglu said. “I really enjoyed that I was able to live the experience instead of doing an assignment.”
