Mariachi High

Think of it as "Hoop Dreams" with Mexican Music.
This 55-minute documentary is being first shown on broadcast TV on PBS as part of their Arts Summer Festival. It follows the high school mariachi band at Zapata High School as it enters two major competitions in Texas in 2010. Their leader - a music teacher - has led this school through many championship wins and tries to do it again. (To give you the answer, would spoil the fun.). We get to meet selected students in this low economic community and hear their plans and aspirations. And we get to hear some great music - though only one number is presented complete.

With under an hour - as compared to the longer time length of similar "teacher trains the students in a school to both win a competition and mature" documentaries - there is not a lot of time for both the story and music.

I really enjoyed getting to know the students, though there is never a point where you feel these kids are in danger. (The only parent you meet is one who owns a horse farm.)...

El Mejor de Mariachi
This video is excellent. It would enhance a World Language or Music curriculum. A documentary with a very mild "American Idol" or "Glee" feel to it, this video appeals to high school students. It does a nice job of covering serious issues (cultural history, academic success of Latino students, racial stereotypes, and more) without being preachy or pedantic. The issues are presented and the movie moves forward. Well filmed. You'll finish the movie caring about these kids and this program.

Mariachi Mixed With Enthusiatic Upbeat Hardworking Teens!
I watched this well-written documentary last night on PBS and loved every minute of it. The music teacher was an inspiration himself. It was very moving watching him get choked up as he spoke of his deceased father and what it meant to him to teach Mariachi. What he taught these students went well beyond making music. They were like a family, each one playing their own part but yet being a part of a group. They inspired and promoted each other and worked very hard to acheive success. At a competition the teacher said he wasn't looking for them to be number one. What mattered is they go out there and give it their best effort, have fun and entertain.....and they did just that. The songs they sang were passionate and the teacher made sure they understood that going into each number. Seeing these students work so hard and put their best foot forward each and every time was very inspiring. If I were in a position to donate money to a good cause it would be to their school's Mariachi...

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