4 FWISD Ensembles Compete in UIL State Mariachi Festival
Four mariachi ensembles represented Fort Worth ISD in the 2019 UIL State Mariachi Festival, February 22- 23 in Edinburg.
Carter-Riverside, Paschal, Polytechnic and North Side high schools were among more than 70 groups participating in the festival, hosted on the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus and now in its fourth year.
Northside Mariachi Espuelas de Plata earned an overall composite Division 1 rating, its fourth consecutive trophy. Judges named Andrea Richards an outstanding performer. The ensemble is directed by Ramon Nino, Corina Cantu, and Charles Johnston.
Polytechnic Mariachi Alas de Oro and Paschal Mariachi Panteras, both under the direction of Juan Sigala, each received overall composite Division 2 ratings. Paschal trumpeters Alejandro Sigala and Dakota Colvin were also recognized as outstanding performers.
In its first year as an ensemble, Carter Riverside’s Mariachi Águilas Azul (Blue Eagle Mariachi) advanced to the state festival and received a composite Division 3 rating from judges. The group is led by John Olmos.
A three-member panel made up of nationally-renowned artists and mariachi teachers judged the performers at a “very high level,” said Dick Clardy, FWISD director of instrumental music.
“I was very pleased with all of the performances from Fort Worth ISD’s participating ensembles, all of the performances were their very best performances this year,” he said. “We are very pleased with the growth in all of our programs and the quality is improving each year in our newer mariachi programs.
“Congratulations to all students and directors!”
All four ensembles qualified for the state festival after earning a Division 1 rating in regional competition.
To view a complete list of UIL State Mariachi Festival results, click here.
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