Four student performers in McAllen High’s Mariachi Oro have qualified Area Qualifiers in the 2026–27 TMEA All-State Mariachi first-round auditions held in October.
Students also earned first-chair positions in both Guitarrón (second year in a row) and Violin (seventh straight year). The students include Caleb Arellano (1st Chair Violin), Allyson Contador (2nd Chair Violin), Yareli Cano (3rd Chair Violin) and Caleb Gámez Cuéllar (1st Chair Guitarrón).
“For the seventh consecutive year, McAllen High School Mariachi has earned amongst the top placements in the entire Area,” McAllen High Mariachi Oro Instructor Alex Trevino said. “We are incredibly proud of our students and their continued pursuit of musical excellence.”
Other students who also competed, delivering strong performances, include Ana Castillo (violin), Angel Guevara (violin), Melany Mosqueda (violin), Gavin Acevedo (guitar) and Isabel Garza-Johnson (guitar).
The Texas Music Educators Association All-State Mariachi audition process is uniquely demanding. Unlike any other TMEA music division, mariachi requires students to demonstrate excellence in both instrumental performance as well as exceptional vocal ability, with their overall scores determined by their performances in both areas.
Competition is rigorous, as only the top nine violinists, top three trumpets, top two guitarists and top guitarrón, vihuela, guitarra de golpe and harpist advance to the next round.
“These high standards make our students’ accomplishments especially impressive as, ultimately, only 18 students are selected as TMEA Mariachi All-Staters by the time the final audition process concludes,” Trevino explained. “That’s less than 1 percent of students that begin the audition process.”
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a 2026 winner of the state’s Postsecondary Readiness Distinction. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 19,500 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).