Students learn mariachi music and instruments at after-school program in Anaheim

Anaheim, CA (KABC) — Once a week, the sound of music fills classroom 47 after school at Ponderosa Elementary School.

Students are learning about mariachi music and how to play an instrument as part of the Anaheim Elementary School District’s Extended Learning Opportunities Program.

Andres Hernandez is in fifth grade at Ponderosa and participates in an after school program.

He said, “My favorite part of mariachi music is that it has trumpets, it has music, and it has stuff you’ve barely heard until Mexico came along.”

With Latino students making up 85% of the district, most kids in the Mariachi ‘El Sol’ program like Andrés grew up listening to this style of music at home.

“My mother is from Mexico and I love Mexican music,” said Andrés.

“Families are absolutely thrilled that our students and children are learning this music that is so meaningful to their culture, their context and their lives,” said Mark Anderson, music curriculum specialist for the Anaheim Elementary School District. I’m talking

Mariachi is one of the after-school activities offered by the school district.

Anderson said more than 60% of the district’s 15,000 elementary school students participate in the Expanded Learning Opportunities program.

He said it gives students the opportunity to discover new passions.

“Whether it’s science, STEM, dance, theater or art, it just gives you more opportunities to explore something you might end up loving,” Anderson says. said.

Mariachis are only held at Ponderosa for nine weeks before moving to a new school.

But students like Andrés appreciate being able to try something new.

“I really recommend attending an after-school program because you can actually participate in a lot of programs and have fun within those programs,” said Andrés.