GOING VARSITY IN MARIACHI
Immersing viewers in the world of competitive mariachi, this tuneful doc follows one hard-working team and its dedicated coach as they pursue a state championship title. Throughout Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, high school mariachi is a thriving institution, encouraging students to connect with Mexican heritage and musical traditions while promoting teamwork and work ethic. Under the tutelage of coach Abel Acuña, the musicians of Edinburg North High School’s Mariachi Oro have racked up numerous awards and accolades, making them a symbol of pride within the community and a shining example of musical education. Filmmakers Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn capture all of the team’s ups and downs while immersing viewers in the lives of several students. These include Drake, a guitarrón novice whose inconsistent dedication to guitar skills sometimes frustrates his coach, and couple Mariah and Marlena, for whom the team is a refuge from a world that’s not always accepting. Shining a much-needed light on a vibrant cultural scene, GOING VARSITY IN MARIACHI is a tribute both to the richness of mariachi and the infectious optimism of young people.
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