BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Cal State Bakersfield is adding a mariachi ensemble to its music department as classes begin Monday, bringing on a well-known local music educator to lead the program.
Jorge Laris, the mariachi director at Arvin High School, is taking on a new role as a lecturer at CSUB — a campus where he was once a student himself.
"Truly an honor to be invited to be at CSUB attending here as a student, myself years ago. And it's, you know it's a university. So it's something very special, it's prestigious, and I just I feel overtaken but with joy," Laris said.
The mariachi ensemble meets Tuesday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. Laris is encouraging students of all backgrounds to sign up and learn to play mariachi music.
"I like to invite any high school junior high school senior that wants to really expand their skills in mariachi and music, have an open-door opportunity to a CSUB to the music department to try this out and give it a shot," Laris said.
Mariachi music is a traditional style of regional Mexican folk music and is recognized globally as a symbol of Mexican culture.
While the ensemble is the first of its kind at CSUB, Laris says the program has broader ambitions beyond weekly classes.
"Just hosting a series of workshop events, bringing in professional musicians, both for the university and also invite the community and the students around the current High School District to come and grow and learn more from a place like CSUB," Laris said.
Laris, a Kern County native, says he has watched mariachi programs grow significantly across the region.
"I mean, the districts are now hiring full-time teachers, like Lamont School District, BCSD, Kern High. The numbers are growing, and I think CSUB is doing the right thing by creating a space for those students to come and learn more when they graduate high school," Laris said.
Students are welcome to bring their own instruments. The class will provide guitars, vihuelas, guitarróns and harps, though trumpets and violins will not be supplied.
"The class will provide instruments in guitar, vihuela, guitarrón and harp. Trumpet and violin is not provided, but it's not hard to get either. If a student needs an instrument, you know, we will find an instrument for them," Laris said.
Contact:
Dr. Angel Vásquez Ramos
Email: avazquezramos@csub.edu
CSUB Early Enrollment Application - Neida Herrera
Email: nherrera10@csub.edu
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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