MISSION— For students at Mission CISD, an additional avenue to explore their musical passions while also preserving their proud Hispanic heritage is exactly what they needed during their junior high school years.
During the 2021-2022 school year, Mission CISD launched a pilot Conjunto Program at all junior high schools. Students who enrolled in the inaugural program did not need any prior knowledge of how to read music or how to play the instrument before joining, according to Conjunto/Mariachi Director Fansisco Vela.
These students had a joy, yearning and love for this type of music because they want to play the huapango, they want to play that cumbia that they heard on the radio,” Vela said. “So when they come to class, they have an opportunity to pick up the skills to play these songs.”
Vela shared that Conjunto is an outlet for students who want to do something different, that is still a part of their Hispanic culture.
“The reason I think conjunto is a great option for Mission CISD students is because they hear mom and dad playing it on the radio and want to do that too,” he said.
Prior to joining Conjunto, Mission Junior High School student Angelina Moreno said she had never held the instrument before. Now, she’s playing songs such as El Tao Tao and Lindo Amor on the accordion.
“I would recommend all students to join Conjunto because it’s so much fun,” Moreno said. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to play, so it’s really cool now that I can learn it in 6th grade because I always thought I wouldn’t be able to learn until I got to high school.”
For Vela, feeling the joy as he watched his students grow into musicians meant the world to him this school year.
“If they are interested, they don't have to have all this knowledge to be able to play these instruments, just come on by, get your hands on one and get some guidance from our directors,” he said. “Trust me, they’re going to have a great time.”
In addition to the launch of the Conjunto Program, the district also recently debuted the Banda Program at the high school level in an effort to continue growing and expanding the Mission CISD Music Program.
“It gives me so much pride to know how passionate our students and staff are about these new programs,” Mission CISD Superintendent Dr. Carol G. Perez said. “Our students are exploring and excelling in these new avenues, beginning at a young age, and we could not be more excited about where this will go.”
Click here for footage of this new program.
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