Mariachi music, education to reverberate across Anaheim Union district

July 14, 2026 - 23:26

The Anaheim Union High School District board has given the green light to a new mariachi afterschool program, bringing traditional Mexican folk music to students across the district. The program, approved in a recent board meeting, aims to offer students a chance to learn instruments like the vihuela, guitarron, and trumpet while studying the cultural history behind the music.

District officials say the program is designed to be more than just a music class. It will also serve as a way to build community and pride among students, many of whom come from Latino backgrounds where mariachi is a familiar sound at family gatherings and celebrations. The afterschool sessions will be open to students at multiple campuses, with instruction from experienced musicians who specialize in the genre.

Supporters of the program argue that it fills a gap in the district's arts education. While band and orchestra programs exist, mariachi offers a unique connection to regional heritage that resonates with a large portion of the student body. The board's decision came after months of discussion and input from parents and community leaders who pushed for more culturally relevant extracurricular activities.

The program is set to launch later this year, with plans to expand if interest grows. For now, the district is focusing on securing instruments and finding practice spaces. Students eager to join will need to sign up through their school's activities office. The move positions Anaheim Union as one of the growing number of California districts embracing mariachi as a formal part of their educational offerings.