Popularity of mariachi grows among young players

Many of the Fillmore players have relatives who are musicians. Gustavo Morales, 10, was inspired to learn to play guitar by his older brother. Kevin Cortez, 11, plays the trumpet with his aunt, who plays guitar.

“I like music,” Kevin said. “I like playing it. I wanted to learn something.”

The band members work well together, said guitar player Edgar Macias, 12. They more they play, the easier the mariachi style becomes, said Hannah Geeslin, 11, who plays violin

“It was actually kind of hard at first,” Hannah said. “But once we got more and more into it, it got easier.”

Gaining confidence is part of what students learn through music, said Osborn.

“It teaches them life skills like responsibility, the importance of working together,” Osborn said. “It alters the way your brain works. It unites the right and left side of your brain. It helps with problem-solving skills.”