PBS Wisconsin Education and Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) have expanded their Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin classroom media collection to include Mariachi Monarcas de Milwaukee, a group of young musicians who add their flair to traditional mariachi songs that evoke emotions and pride in Mexican culture, and connect people across time and place.
Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin is a multimedia resource designed to help general music educators and learners in grades 4-8 explore the connections between music, culture and emotion, according to a press release from PBS Wisconsin, and the collection features culture-bearers of music from Wisconsin, as they share a composition and discuss their musicianship, culture and identity. It includes video interviews and performances; audio tracks; and educator engagement guides featuring learning outcomes, strategies, assessments and aligned standards.
In their interview video, Francisco Hernandez, the director, vocalist and vihuela player; and Marianna Tellez, a violinist and vocalist in Mariachi Monarcas, share the origins of mariachi, instruments that make up the group, traditional attire and the sense of identity that comes with being part of the group.
For the performance video, Mariachi Monarcas de Milwaukee chose the traditional Mexican folk song, “El Son de la Negra,” a well-known piece that serves as the ultimate test for mariachi musicians.
