When most people think of music they think mainstream; the who’s who in R&B, Hip Hop, Alternative, Rock etc. How many people can identify with folk music? Do you listen to Reggae, Country or Gospel? What about Mariachi? Believe it or not these genres all have something in common. They tell stories past down from generation to generation. These stories are often filled with hope and cultural pride.

Los Alisos Middle School in conjunction with Cerritos College Community Education (CCCE) and Mariachi Heritage Society has is conducting Mariachi classes to pass on the Mariachi tradition.

“This program teaches students from seven to adults how to use traditional Mariachi instruments such as: the guitar, the guitarron, vihuela, violin and the trumpet. This program began in September of 2003. Enrollment is thirty dollars a month, it meets every Monday and students are required to bring their own instruments,” explains Jennifer Zaragoza who has worked with the program since its beginning.

The Mariachi program is one of many programs that is geared to promote community participation.

Laura Franklin Director of Community Education at Cerritos College and Jose Hernandez work in partnership to present programs such as this one.

For more information contact her at 562 860 2451 x252 or www.cerritos.edu/ce.

“[The Mariachi Heritage Society] is a non-profit Organization that was founded seven years ago and the idea behind it is to promote the tradition that my father left me and my grandfather left me. It is a way to keep the tradition alive,” Hernandez said.

The program will be hosting several events within the next few months. To find out the when and the where contact the number above. You can also find out about enrollment in the program and what schools are participating.