Conjunto

Susan Torres Nevarez, director
J.J. Barrera, director

This concert will last about 75 minutes without intermission.
Please silence your electronic devices.
Photography, video, or recording of any part of this performance is prohibited

Event Details

Program

Narciso Martinez 1911-1922
La Barranca  
(The Ravine)
Polka

Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez 1939-2025
Lucerito 1988
(Little Star)
Ranchera
A song expressing the frustration of being in a non-committal relationship.

Ruben Vela  1937-2010
El Coco Rayado 1994
(The Striped Coconut)
Cumbia

Marco Antonio Solis b. 1959
Tu Carcel 1986
(Your Prison)
Ranchera
This is one of the most iconic songs in Regional Mexican music. It was written by Marco Antonio Solís and originally performed by his band Los Bukis. The lyrics tell the story of romantic heartbreak, with the title “Tu Cárcel” symbolizing the emotional trap of staying in a broken relationship. Although the song was not originally written as a conjunto track, it has since been adapted into the conjunto style and is enjoyed by many conjunto fans.

Alvaro Carillo  1919-1969
Sabor a Mi 1959
(The Taste of Me)
As the story goes, composer, Alvaro Carillo and his fiancé Ana, were having dinner during which Alvaro was drinking liquor and exchanging a few kisses with her.  Ana asked Carillo to stop kissing her because all she could taste was the liquor on his lips.  Carrillo said, “The taste you carry on your lips is not liquor, it’s the taste of me.”  It was then, the inspiration for the song was born.

Los Garcia Bros. b. 1990
El Cometa 2000
(The Comet)
Cumbia

El Gran Sabor de Adrian Diaz est. 2014
Pachuco 2019
Cumbia
A pachuco refers to a young Mexican-American man, who embodied a unique cultural identity characterized by distinct fashion, attitudes, and lifestyle during the 1940s. Pachucos were notable for their flamboyant zoot suits, which included wide-brimmed hats and loose-fitting clothing. The Pachuco subculture emerged in the context of discrimination and social challenges faced by Mexican Americans. (courtesy of Fiveable Content Team)

Santiago Jimenez, Sr. 1913-1984
La Piedrera 1942
(The Rock Quarry)
Polka
Student Spotlight.  Our recital program briefly travels south of the border to feature two selections played in the Sierreño style performed by UT Conjunto students, Julian Gonzalez and Ben Aguayo.  Sierreño music is a style of regional Mexican music that comes from the mountain regions (“sierra”) of northern Mexico. The word sierreño literally means “from the mountains.”  It is traditionally performed with an acoustic guitar, bajo sexto, and bass. In recent years, sierreño music has experienced a surge in popularity among Gen Z listeners.

Juan Jose Espinoza Guevara
Atotonilco 1937
Originally recorded as a song before being recorded as a polka and made popular by Conjunto pioneer, Tony de la Rosa.

Raymundo Perez y Soto 1908-1991
Prenda del Alma 1929
(Garment of the Sol)
Waltz
Conjunto is grateful to tonight’s special musical Guest, the University’s own, Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlán for their generous collaboration on this song!

Hector Quintero Ballesteros
Cumbia del Sol
(Cumbia of the Sun)
This song celebrates the joy that community, music and dancing can bring while dancing under the sun.

Tony De La Rosa 1931-2004
El Lucero 1991
(The Star)
Huapango

Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez  1939-2025
Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio 1990
(I’ll Be Leaving You In San Antonio)
Ranchera
A breakup song about ending a relationship with a woman in San Antonio (and leaving here there), at the frustration of a non-committal relationship.