A new yet familiar sound can be heard floating through the halls on the first floor of the Arts Building at UT San Antonio. The rhythmic mixture of drums, guitar, trumpets and vocals comes from Sonido Tejano, the School of Music’s first-ever Tejano ensemble.
The new course launched this spring with an energetic group of student musicians – all at varying levels of musical experience. The course brings Tejano tradition, culture and live performance into the classroom, giving students the opportunity to earn course credit while learning and performing in a live band setting.
Leading the ensemble are Tejano singer and music producer Shelly Lares, who is in her third year as the school’s artist-in-residence, and Michael Acevedo, professor of practice and ensemble director. Together, the pair draws on decades of professional experience to guide and inspire students.
Lares credits Glenn Martinez, dean of the university’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts, with giving her the opportunity and the time she needed to “plant the seeds” and build excitement among students.
“When I first came on as artist-in-residence, we talked about creating a Tejano ensemble. That was always the goal,” she said. “We want to continue educating students about the culture and genre of Tejano music and how it’s evolved into what it is today.”
She added, “From conjunto music to progressive Tejano, we are the only university in the United States capturing all of the elements that make up the genre of Tejano music.”
Rooted in South Texas and Mexico, Tejano music weaves together elements of conjunto, ranchera, pop, jazz, country, R&B and more. Tejano represents a longstanding tradition of musical storytelling and is characterized by lively rhythms, bold melodies and rich cultural history.
For sophomore Marcos Moreno, who is majoring in commercial and digital music, the creation of the ensemble was perfect timing. He is Sonido Tejano’s bassist and has been playing in musical groups since he was in the sixth grade—from orchestra to weddings to rock bands. When he was looking to join UT San Antonio’s beloved mariachi group, Mariachi Los Paisanos, he came across the new Tejano ensemble and jumped at the opportunity.
“I saw on Instagram that the School of Music was creating the first ever Tejano ensemble, and I just knew I wanted to be a part of this historical moment,” he said. “Although we’ve only had a few classes so far, I’ve been loving it and it has been the most fun I’ve had in college so far.”
Moreno is soaking up the atmosphere during class and calls it a “blessing” to play alongside the other students in the ensemble and to learn from Lares and Acevedo.
Just three days into the course, the ensemble was learning how to play songs like “Amor Querido,” “Don Luis El Tejano” and “Cumbia de la Cobra.” The ensemble meets every Monday evening for about three hours.
Sonido Tejano so far is comprised of 14 students, including two who are part of Mariachi Los Paisanos. The ensemble is open to instrumentalists and vocalists alike. It welcomes all students regardless of major or musical ability who play drums, bass, guitar, accordion, keyboards, saxophone, trumpet, trombone or percussion such as congas and timbales.
“Throughout the years, I’ve heard interest in starting a Latin band – salsa, Tejano, conjunto – and finally the stars have aligned, especially now that Shelly is here,” Acevedo said. “This is going to be a great way for students to come together and have an outlet for this genre, and for us to share this music.”
“Tejano is our music,” he continued. “It’s from the state of Texas. We want to be able to represent this music that has been around for years.”
Sonido Tejano will get its first opportunity to perform in public this April, when it showcases Latin music alongside Mariachi Los Paisanos and other musical guests. The show, called Sonido San Antonio, will help raise money for scholarships for both groups.
Being part of UT San Antonio’s first Tejano ensemble is more than a chance to perform in a band for Moreno; it’s a way for him to embrace his family’s traditions.
“Growing up in Laredo, I would hear Tejano music constantly on the radio, from my parents and at carne asadas,” he said. “I personally have felt disconnected from my culture because I don’t speak Spanish, though I am trying to learn, but I think music is one of the most important ways one can connect and feel a part of their culture.”
