For over 13 years, starting in the 2006 Fall semester, Joel Guzman and J.J. Barrera have been conducting the Tex-Mex Conjunto class at UT Austin. The course gives students the opportunity to learn a repertoire of Texas-Mexican music, and for some, connect with their roots.
Story by Ashley Hackett
Robert Guzman plays the accordian for “Feliz Navidad.” Photo by Quinto Fernandez
The soundtrack of the American Southwest would be lacking without conjunto. The genre generates hard-driving dance music in which the accordion leads a small band that also includes a large 12-string guitar, called a bajo sexto, and the drums.
“For our ensemble, we don’t just stick to the instruments you would traditionally find in a conjunto group,” Barrera said. “We added two flutes this semester.”
Professor Joel Guzman. Photo by Maya Dandashi
While most conjunto ensembles have four to five members, UT’s group encourages anyone to join. There are no auditions, reading notation is not required, and the ensemble welcomes all levels from beginner to advanced players.
Throughout the semester, students learn how to play melodies, rhythms and instruments from a variety of Tex-Mex traditions.
“We want students to practice something their grandparents enjoyed playing,” Barrera said. “Having this course at UT gives students another opportunity to connect with the Mexican-American community.”
Professor J.J. Barrera. Photo by Maya Dandashi
Although the genre of music comes from the American Southwest, the accordion-based ensemble grabs influence from the tunes of the German and Czech bands, but also from traditional Mexican music. The fusion yields an irresistibly danceable beat with infectious melodies set to lyrics expressing themes of love and loss.
Noticing the lack of diverse ensembles, Guzman was sought after by the Butler School of Music to create a class dedicated to Tex-Mex Conjunto. Guzman requested for Barrera to come co-direct the class.
Many of the songs the students play is traditional folk music, but some of them are original pieces composed by past and present students. The conductors encourage students to write their own work, fueling the flame to keep this genre of music alive with a younger audience.
“No matter how disconnected you are from your heritage,” Barrera said, “Music has a way of luring us back to our roots.”
Juniors Gaby Pulido and Nancy Gomez play the accordion for “Feliz Navidad.” Photo by Quinto Fernandez
