UT San Antonio Tejano ensemble plays to preserve a culture

SAN ANTONIO — The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Sonido Tejano had the Empire Theatre jumping, playing the sweet sounds of the homeland alongside instructor Shelly Lares and her musical brothers and sisters: Tejano stars Patsy Torres, Sunny Sauceda, Ruben Ramos, Ram Herrera, Santiago Jimenez Jr. and Little Joe.

Tejano originated in South Texas, stemming from conjunto music created by working-class Mexican Americans. Sonido Tejano is the only Tejano ensemble in Texas at the collegiate level.

“It’s important for us to keep our culture alive and well in the music,” Lares said. 

Many of the people who created the sound the ensemble works to learn are still around.

“The actual innovators, the actual creators of their sound, can just walk through the doors and teach the class,” Lares said. 

Torres, Sauceda, Ramos and Herrera rehearsed in those UT San Antonio classrooms with students and learned about the Tejano legends’ journeys. 

Grammy Award-winning accordionist Sauceda is proud Tejano made its way into higher education. 

“It’s [an] incredible feeling to know our artistry is acknowledged,” Sauceda said. “I love every minute of it.”

Tejano is often seen as a fading genre. But Glenn Martinez, dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts at UT San Antonio, says the demand for Tejano is there. 

“I think that as educational institutions, we have an opportunity to help the culture come back,” said Martinez, a Rio Grande Valley native.

For UT San Antonio freshman Eleazar Cuevas, it’s about connecting to his roots. 

“I’m excited because this is… the capitol of Tejano music,” Cuevas said. “Being from Eagle Pass is like an honor; like I’m here to represent Eagle Pass.” 

For bass player Marcos Moreno, who’d never listened to Tejano, it was about learning music that has no rules. 

“I really want to learn the accordion. It’s a very big part of Tejano, and it’s one of the coolest instruments,” Moreno said.  

Sonido Tejano’s recent performance, which raised money for scholarships, showcased the many sounds of Tejano, including conjunto, orchestra, progressive and cumbia influences.

Torres honored Mexican American Tejano artist Lydia Mendoza, and Herrera sang his hit song “Amor Querido.” Then the group capped their performance with “Las Nubes” featuring Little Joe. 

Lares’ classes at UT San Antonio are full, and registration for next semester has already surpassed this semester. 

“It’s incredible to see [high school] seniors that are not even registered want to come into the class already,” Lares said. “So that’s a good sign.”