The newly-formed TWHS Mariachi group made its debut at the Holly Jolly Jingle at the Pavilion. The group performed in the pit before the concert kicked off and was followed by the Conroe High School Mariachi Tigres de Conroe.

At the Pavilion, the group played four songs in total, including Ode to Joy, La Valentina, Des Colores, and Feliz Navidad.

TWHS Mariachi is led by Matthew Madonia as Artistic Director and Aaron Michealson as Administrative Director. The group includes some of the typical orchestra instruments such as a violin and viola, but also features guitar, vihuela, and guitarron. Additionally, all members sing. Next semester, mariachi is hoping to get trumpet players in order to be a more authentic mariachi group.

“I see the mariachi group expanding to include more kids, and we’ll take it to being a UIL competitive group starting next year,” lead orchestra director and Mariachi administrative director Aaron Michealson said.

UIL introduced Mariachi as an event at the state level for the 2015-2016 school year. Conroe High School also has a mariachi band.