The original orchestral version earned a 2019 Latin GRAMMY® Nomination for Best Arrangement and won the prestigious 2016 Jalisco Orchestral Composition Prize.
At a glance
ORCHESTRATION
Wind Ensemble
YEAR COMPOSED
2016, Arr. 2022
DURATION
10’
PREMIERE
Fri, May 27, 7:30 pm, Spaulding Auditorium at Hopkins Center for the Arts, under the Baton of Brian Messier
COMMISSIONED
Co-commissioned by the Hopkins Center for the Arts in Memory of Scott G. Smedinghoff GR’17 for the Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble, and by the following consortium of wind ensembles:
Ball State University, Thomas Caneva
Bowling Green State University, Kenneth Thompson
Brooklyn Wind Symphony, Jeff Ball
Butler University, Trae Blanco
California State University, Fullerton, Dustin Barr
Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble, Brian Messier (lead commissioner)
Frost Wind Ensemble, University of Miami, Robert Carnochan
Murray State University, Trae Blanco
Nazareth College Wind Symphony, Jared Chase
New Jersey Wind Symphony, Chris Wilhjelm
San José State University, David Vickerman
Texas Woman’s University Wind Symphony, Carter Biggers
The University of West Georgia Wind Ensemble, Josh Byrd
The Valley Winds, Brian Messier
UC Berkeley Wind Ensemble, Matthew Sadowski
University of Texas at El Paso, Andrew Hunter
USC Thornton Winds, University of Southern California, Carl St.Clair
Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble, Benjamin Harper
Yale Concert Band, Thomas C. Duffy
Score Sample
Program Note
Mariachitlán (Mariachiland) is an orchestral homage to my birthplace, the Mexican state of Jalisco, where mariachi music originated. The work recounts my experience visiting the Plaza de los Mariachis in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, a place where mariachis play their songs in every corner and interrupt each other to win over the crowd. In Mariachitlán, traditional rhythms such as the canción ranchera (ranchera song) in 2/4 time (choontah choon-tah), the vals romántico (romantic waltz) in 3/4 time (choon-tah-tah), and the son jalisciense (Jalisco song) that alternates between 6/8 and 3/4 time, accompany original melodies inspired by the beautiful landscapes of Jalisco. Mariachi instruments such as the trumpet, harp and violin are featured as soloists in this work. Furthermore, the strings emulate the strumming patterns of vihuleas, while the contrabasses growl like guitarrones. Near the end of the piece, a policeman blows his whistle in an attempt to stop the party. However, the crowd chants Mariachitlán, gradually increasing in intensity, and is rewarded with more vibrant music that ends the work with great brilliance. The original version of Mariachitlán (2016), scored for symphony orchestra, won the 2016 Jalisco Orchestral Composition Contest and was nominated for a 2019 Latin Grammy Award for Best Arrangement. The Wind Ensemble version of Mariachitlán was commissioned by the Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble, in memory of Scott G. Smedinghoff GR ‘17, and a consortium of wind bands.
