A Mariachi Christmas

The community is invited to join Sinfonia Mexicana as it celebrates the holidays with its Annual Mariachi Christmas concert on Dec. 13 in Whitmer Auditorium at Colton High School. In Mexico, the month of December is filled with a myriad of regional fiestas. Some of them trace their roots to the customs of native Indians celebrating their various winter feast days. Later Indian deities were replaced by Christian ones and some celebrations have evolved into popular traditions. The best-known example, presented in this concert, is the Fiesta of La Posada. The Posada began in the 16th century as a liturgical event to celebrate the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Processions were added in the 17th century to involve more people. Celebrated between Dec. 16-24, participants begin the nine day ceremony by asking for symbolic lodging. The involvement of communities serves to enrich the tradition, coloring the festivities with local and regional characteristics. Organizing and preparing the celebration is passed from father to son. Families and friends decide on a schedule of homes to be visited. The host home or neighborhood is decorated and food and drink prepared for the evening’s visitors. The first Posada begins on the night of Dec. 16 with the participants divided into two groups: the guests who ask for lodging, and the hosts who provide it. The host and guests recreate Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging by singing a traditional song. The guests gather outside the home to request a place to stay and the hosts answer, first by refusing and then welcoming them, signaling the start of the evening’s fiesta. The musical journey begins with the traditional petition for lodging (the Posada), but the real fiesta starts with the breaking of the traditional piñata. The first part of the journey begins in the state of Jalisco. Born in the port of Veracruz, México, Rafael Palomar started playing in the Plaza Garibaldi with different groups at the age of 13, while studying in the Escuela Libre de Música in México City. Directed by his father Roman Palomar, Rafael performed with Mariachi Charros de Ameca for 15 years. The group cut their first recording of the famous song Mariachi Loco, composed by his father. Rafael traveled to the United States with Mariachi Charros de Ameca, to accompany the Charro del Misterio, Las Jilguerillas. At 17, Palomar became a member of Mariachi Latino working in the well-known restaurant "Plaza Santa Cecilia" in México City, accompanying famous singers such as Las Hermanitas Nuñez, Marco Antonio Vaszuez, Manuel López Ochoa, Magda Franco, Maria Elena Sandoval and many more. From 15-22 years of age he had the opportunity to record productions of Los Hermanos Zaizar, Federico Villa and others with his father. Later, Rafael Palomar had the tremendous opportunity to become a member of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, with whom he traveled to many countries including the USA, Japan, Holland, Canada, China, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru and others. They accompanied many singers, including Lucha Villa, Lucero, Beatriz Adriana, Estela Nuñez, Aída Cuevas, Guadalupe Pineda, and more. Rafael Palomar currently resides in the United States and is the lead instructor for music and performances for the Sinfonina Mesicana Mariachi Youth Academy. He also provides voice lessons and specializes in teaching students the importance of stage presence. The Sinfonia Mexicana of San Bernardino established the Mariachi Youth Academy in February 2009 at the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts as an opportunity for area youth to learn and perform mariachi music as well as understand its origins and cultural significance. The Mariachi Youth Academy’s Mission – Is to establish a continuing and comprehensive course of study that will challenge and enhance the student’s ability to read music, master their instruments and enhance stage presence through the art of performing mariachi music. The Goal – Is to prepare and encourage academy students to further their musical education. The program instills responsibility, discipline and stresses the advantages of higher education. Classes are currently being taught for intermediate and advanced students and a 25 student beginners class started in November. With world-class musicians/instructors guiding the program, the Mariachi Youth Academy is poised to be a nationally recognized learning institution for the advancement and promotion of the art of mariachi music and performance. The Academy has performed at the House of Blues in Anaheim and the California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino. They have competed and placed in the Annual “Battle of the Mariachi” in San Juan Capistrano and have performed with some of the best Mariachis in the world, including Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan, Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez Grammy award winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, Symphonic Mariachi Champaña de Jeff Nevin and the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra. Academy Staff: Oscar Tostado Director-Mariachi Youth Academy Maria Saenz Assistant Director Mariachi Youth Academy Rafael Palomar former lead singer for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán Martin Barboza, music major, graduate of Cal State San Bernardino Jonathan Palomar member of Mariachi Los Camperos Samuel Nolasco former member of Mariachi Uclatan Flores del Desierto Dance Company was established over 20 years ago in the High Desert and is under the artistic direction of Irma Aguilar. Classes for the Folklorico group are held at the Multi-Cultural Dance Center in Hesperia, where students as young as four years to senior adults are taught. The group has performed and many southland locations including the California Theater of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino, San Diego Symphony Hall, L.A. County Fair, San Bernardino County Fair, National Orange show with Freddie Fender, the Roy roger-Dale Evens Happy Trails Organization, Fontana’s Fiesta de Las Americas, Victor Valley College, and other events. Under the direction of Lisa Nicolay the Choir will present a series of Christmas Selections. To enhance the event, local restaurants will be selling tamales, nachos, hot chocolate and Champurrado as well as rolled tacos before and after the concert. Ticket prices range from $5 (ages 12 and under) to $20 and are available by calling the Sinfonia Mexicana Office at the California Theatre, one of Southern California’s premier presenters of culturally enriching events, at (909) 885-5152. Tickets may be purchased by calling 909-884-3228 or 909-944-2176 you can also visit our business office at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. 4th Street (between E and F streets) in San Bernardino. For more information please visit the Sinfonia website at www.sinfoniamexicana.com.