Getting Started in the WHS Mariachi!

The first step to joining the WHS Mariachi program is to enroll in orchestra as a violinist, in band on trumpet, or in guitar class. Violinists and trumpet players typically need at least three full years of training in orchestra or band before entering the Mariachi program, and guitarists typically need at least one year. Some students also take private lessons to speed up their progress. Students who wish to play guitarron, vihuela, or harp typically take private lessons or begin on guitar. Experience with singing either with private lessons or in choir is also encouraged as all members of the WHS Mariachi sing. 

Mariachi Feroz

Description: The Mariachi Feroz ensemble serves as intermediate-level ensemble for WHS students. This ensembles consists of students at Westminster High School who typically have at least four years of experience playing violin or trumpet or one year on guitar, and have practiced outside of class time consistently. An understanding of appropriate large-ensemble rehearsal skills are necessary. 

Instruction will cover intermediate-advancing instrument postures as well as further development of vibrato, tuning one’s own instrument with pegs, advanced bow techniques, and reading notes and chords in all major and minor keys, and a variety of strumming patterns. Students in the Mariachi Feroz will perform at least six public concerts each year.

Mariachi Feroz will serve as Westminster High School's elite ensemble for students who want a higher-caliber experience program with minimal expectations for private practice (90 minutes per week) and extra-curricular rehearsals (approximately 5 hours per month). In addition, while not mandatory, private lessons outside of our WHS program are strongly encouraged.

Requirements:

• Can read and play music at difficulty level 3.0
• Has a moderate-level set-up of instrument
• Current WPS Students: Musicians will join the Mariachi Feroz through director recommendation.
• Transfer Students: In-person performance assessment, interview, and recommendation from a previous director

Mariachi de las Estrellas

Description: The Mariachi de las Estrellas ensemble will serve as Westminster High School's premier Mariachi ensemble and will soon serve as examples to other Mariachi in Colorado and throughout the US. An exemplary Mariachi de las Estrellas member has good attendance in all classes and previous concerts, has passing (preferably exemplary) grades in each of his/her classes, is open to suggestions for improvement, is respectful and courteous to other people, seeks out additional performance opportunities, and is able to be both a team player and a soloist. This ensembles consists of students at Westminster High School who typically have at least five years of experience on violin or trumpet and two or more years on guitar, vihuela, guitarron, and/or harp. Consistent demonstration of professional Mariachi rehearsal skills are necessary. 

Mariachi de las Estrellas' technical and musical expectations will be pre-collegiate/pre-professional in nature. To that end, as a member of the Mariachi de las Estrellas ensemble, each musician should expect to practice a minimum of 6 hours of private practice per week on technique as well as our repertoire. Musicians in this ensemble are to come to rehearsals with any pre-assigned work completed. The curriculum will prepare students to be successful as professional Mariachi. Instruction will cover advanced instrument and ensemble techniques. This ensemble will perform at least ten public concerts each year. Whether or not you plan to pursue music at the college level, if you desire to exponentially improve your skills over the span of a year, this is the course for you.

In addition, while not mandatory, private lessons outside of our WHS program are highly encouraged. Each year the percentage of students in this ensemble taking private lessons increases. Please contact Mr. Linert for recommendations for local private teachers.

Requirements:

• Can read and play music at difficulty level 4.0
• Has an advanced-level set-up of instrument
• Current WPS Students: Musicians will join the Mariachi de las Estrellas through director recommendation.
• Transfer Students: In-person performance assessment, interview, and recommendation from a previous director

Mariachi de la Luna

Description: This course meets after school on Tuesdays from 3-6pm with additional expectations of 2 hours of private practice each week. The curriculum for this ensemble will be based upon the instrumentation of enrolled students. Some semesters, the students may perform with a larger Mariachi ensemble, while in other semesters students may be assigned into small-ensembles. This ensemble is most appropriate for students who typically have at least five years of experience their instrument. 

Requirements:

• Can read and play music at difficulty level 3.0
• Has an advancing-level set-up of instrument
• Current WPS Students: Musicians will join the Advanced Chamber Orchestra through director recommendation.
• Transfer Students: In-person performance assessment, interview, and recommendation from a previous director