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McAllen High School mariachi performers nabbed six of 10 first-chair selections as 11 students overall earned a place on the TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) Region 15 Mariachi Ensemble, it was recently announced.

McAllen High topped all other competing school districts with the six first-chair selections.

“Congratulations are in store for our outstanding and talented McAllen High Mariachi Oro students for their superb musicianship,” McAllen High Mariachi Oro Instructor Alex Trevino said. “These students have been preparing virtually and learning challenging etudes, excerpts and music selections over the last few months to push their abilities and hone their musical skills on their respective instruments and voices. The only first-chair spots that McAllen High did not earn were for the instruments or vocals that they did not have any students auditioning on.”

McAllen High had 17 students audition with 11 making the Region’s Ensemble. Two others were named as alternates.

This follows on the heals of four McAllen High students earning All State recognition 

Four students from McAllen High School have earned four of just 18 spots in the inaugural TMEA All-State Mariachi Ensemble.

As members of this elite ensemble, students will be participating in a series of virtual clinics and concerts in the next few months. These will be shared on social media platforms with the communities and schools in Region 15.  

McAllen High Mariachi Oro has won six state championships in the past seven years. 

McAllen ISD has been named a national Best Community for Music Education for eight consecutive years by the National Association of Music Merchants.

Here are the McAllen High student results:

Violins:
1st Chair: Andrew Treviño (Freshman)
4th Chair: Ashley Treviño (Senior)
16th Chair: Andrew Salinas (Senior)

Guitars:
1st Chair: Viridiana Villela (Sophomore)
2nd Chair: Natalie Carmona (Senior)

Trumpets:
1st Chair: Jesús Villegas (Senior)
5th Chair: Daniel López (Senior)

Vihuela:
1st Chair: Austin Rosález (Sophomore)

Soprano Vocals:
1st Chair: Natalie Carmona (Senior)
2nd Chair: Jenika Montes (Senior)

Alto Vocals:
1st Chair: Ashley Treviño (Senior)

Alternates:
3rd Chair Alto: Roxeth González (Junior)
4th Chair Alto: Dayanna Villanueva (Junior)