Love is in the air and in the serenatas that this college Mariachi group gives

As we approach Valentine’s Day, a mariachi student group has been serenading outside of people’s homes, outdoors and close to their school campus. 

Mariachi Orgullo de UCI (UC, Irvine) went viral on social media when they started offering serenatas about three weeks ago. The requests came from people from different cultures and ages, from girlfriends serenading their boyfriends and vice versa to students serenading their professors and even people outside of campus hiring them to play a few songs. 

Brendaitzel Torres, founder and president of the mariachi group, said mariachi serenatas are a deep-rooted Mexican tradition to express love through music. Some of the young group’s most requested songs are “Hermoso Cariño,” “Regalo de Dios,” “Amarte a la Antigua” and “Si Nos Dejan.” 

Torres, a third-year student majoring in Criminology and Psychological Sciences, said the mariachi group was founded two years ago in an effort to create community through traditional Mexican music.

Initially, she was hesitant, wondering if anyone would be interested, but it didn’t take much to get a few allies who shared the same interest.  

“Starting this organization really means a lot because I’m able to connect through my culture and I feel connected with the people that I [play] with,” she said.

However, because they are a student organization, UCI doesn’t provide specific funding. Therefore,  last year, the members came up with the idea of offering serenatas at very reasonable prices with the purpose of fundraising for their mariachi outfits.

A growing group

Currently, the group has about 15 students and they rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. on campus. The group of Latino students has been managing school, work and their passion for their culture through the ensemble 

Torres has played the violin for seven years since high school and in other mariachi ensembles. At Mariachi Orgullo de UCI, she is also one of the lead singers.

Cindy Tayagua, a fourth-year psychology major, said she grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood in the Central Valley in California. While she has been playing the violin for 11 years, it was mainly classical music. 

“My mom always wanted me to [join a] mariachi, but I never got an opportunity until I got to college,” she said.  “I’ve had so much fun making new friends who have similar backgrounds than me.”

Both students agreed there’s a special pride and joy in connecting with others and spreading love through music in a school composed of about 24% of Latinos. The group not only provides them community and a pride for their heritage, but also a peace of mind from rigorous studies.

“Playing music gives me a break from all these difficult studies as well as [doing] research, volunteering and my work so it’s kind of a good balance that gives me a break from moving from one part of my brain to the other,” Tayagua said, adding that for the first time she finally feels heard in a meaningful way. 

Jasmin Cordon, who plays the guitarrón, said growing up she never imagined she could become a scientist, a musician or be part of a mariachi group.

“Now, I’m graduating from a university with a degree in Earth System Science and performing with a mariachi group on an instrument I didn’t even know how to play eight months ago,” Cordon said. 

The meaning of music in Spanish 

Torres said when serenatas are requested, they give priority to UCI students and people living at UCI housing or nearby locations because of the student members' schedules and transportation logistics. Depending on availability, Torres sends one member of each instrument: violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, guitarrón and the lead singer. If additional members are willing to go, they are allowed. 

The students said they feel joyful when they are booked because, despite the hardships some people are facing, they still make time to serenade that special one. 

“It makes us very proud to be able to represent our Latino community, especially in these places of higher education,” Torres said. 

She also explained that this is a form of protest in the best way possible because they have experienced negative comments from people who don’t like their music or what they represent and they don’t want to see the mariachi ensemble at UCI. 

“I think that is very important for us to be here and we just feel very happy and honored to represent our community," Torres said. 

To learn more or book Mariachi Orgullo de UCI, visit: https://www.instagram.com/mariachi.uci/