FESTIBA 2026 MARIACHI FESTIVAL SCHEDULE​

Friday - Saturday, February 27 & 28, 2026
SPECIAL GUESTS: 
Mariachi Los Camperos de Jesus “Chuy” Guzman

Friday, February 27th

08:00 am – 09:00 am
Mariachi Conference Check-In

09:15 am – 10:00 am
Presentation of Repertoire for Workshops with
Mariachi Los Camperos & Mariachi Aztlán

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instrumental Workshops with
Mariachi Los Camperos and Mariachi Aztlán

10:30 am – 11:30 am
Directors’ Masterclass with Freddie Sandoval:
Differences In the Approaches to Live and Studio Sound Engineering

12:00 pm – 01:30 pm
Lunch on your own

01:30 pm – 02:30 pm
Students’ Masterclass with Mariachi Los Camperos:
Demonstration of Style and Interpretation of the Son, Huapango,
Bolero, and Ranchera

02:30 pm – 04:30 pm
Instrumental Workshops with
Mariachi Los Camperos and Mariachi Aztlán

03:00 pm – 04:00 pm
Directors’ Masterclass with Jesús “Chuy” Guzmán
Interactive Coaching Session: Feedback and Guidance on Technique,
Interpretation, and Expression

05:30 pm – 08:30 pm
Vocal Competition Finalists for Middle School and High School          

Tickets at: UTRGV ARTS Showpass    (Tickets: $10 General Admission)
​

Saturday, February 28th

9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Middle School and High School Group Competition

• Mariachi Los Camperos de Jesus “Chuy” Guzman
• Mariachi Aztlán
• Mariachi Juvenil Aztlán
• High School Competition Grand Champion
• Middle School Group Winner
• Middle School & High School Vocal Competition Winners

Special Guests: UTRGV Ballet Folklórico

$50.00 registration fee. Individual concert tickets are $20.

​For more information and registration, visit: www.utrgv.edu/festiba​

Please note: Workshop Registration fee does not include a concert ticket. ​

Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex​
Tickets at: UTRGV ARTS Showpass   

Tickets: $20 General Admission, $40 VIP seats, $10 UTRGV Faculty/Staff/Senior 65+, Children

FESTIBA Special Guests

We are thrilled to welcome our FESTIBA 2026 Special Guests — Mariachi Los Camperos!​

Founded in 1961 by Natividad “Nati” Cano, the Grammy Award–winning ensemble has played a pivotal role in elevating mariachi music worldwide. From becoming the first mariachi group to perform at Carnegie Hall to collaborating with Linda Ronstadt, Mariachi Los Camperos continue to honor tradition while shaping the future of the art form. Today, under the direction of Jesús “Chuy” Guzmán, their legacy lives on through rich, elegant, and inspiring performances.​

Since 1989, Mariachi Aztlán has traveled throughout Mexico and the United States as musical ambassadors representing the beauty of the Hispanic music and cultural traditions. Recognitions for performance excellence initiated an invitation from the White House to perform at the signing ceremony of an Executive Order renewing and enhancing the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, performing for President Barack Obama in 2010.

In collaboration with the Houston Grand Opera, Mariachi Aztlán premiered the stage production of Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, the world’s first "Mariachi/Opera" in December, 2010.  A second performance of the same production took place in 2013 with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Mariachi Aztlán also premiered the mariachi opera El Pasado Nunca Se Termina with the Chicago Lyric Opera in 2015. Other national performances include guest artists at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference in 2015 and 2019, guest artists at the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 San Diego International Mariachi Festivals, and guest artists at the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Chicago Mariachi Festivals. The mariachi was invited as guest clinicians and performing artists for the Mariachi Spectacular Workshop in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. For several years, Mariachi Aztlán has been invited as guest clinicians and performing artists Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Competition in San Antonio. National performances include concerts at the Santa Barbara Bowl in August of 2019, with the famous Mexican singer, Aida Cuevas, and guest artists at the Chicago Mariachi Festival which was held at the Millenium Amphitheatre, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, June 29^th, 2019.

Other national performances at prestigious venues include Hollywood Bowl, the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Mariachi Aztlán has performed with symphony orchestras in Mexico, including performances in Monterrey, Pachuca, and Tampico, and with the Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

Mariachi Aztlán has accompanied other famous artists such as Juan Valentin, Vikki Carr, Nydia Rojas, Azucena, Ramon Ayala, Leo Dan, Paquita La Del Barrio, and many others. International performances include the Mexican cities of Monterrey, Pachuca, Tampico, Guadalajara, Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende, and Ottawa, Canada.

In 2022 and 2023, Mariachi Aztlán toured with the “The Queen of Mariachi”, and esteemed figure in Mexico, Aida Cuevas, throughout the U.S., performing at more than 20 distinguished venues across America.

Mariachi Aztlán released a CD, Mi Nombre Es México to commemorate their 25th Anniversary.

Saturday, February 28th

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
FESTIBA 2026 Mariachi Festival Grand Concert:

• Mariachi Los Camperos de Jesus “Chuy” Guzman

• Mariachi Aztlán

• Mariachi Juvenil Aztlán

• High School Competition Grand Champion

• Middle School Group Winner

• Middle School & High School Vocal Competition Winners

Special Guests: UTRGV Ballet Folklórico

$50.00 registration fee. Individual concert tickets are $20.​

For more information and registration, visit: www.utrgv.edu/festiba​

Please note: Workshop Registration fee does not include a concert ticket. ​

Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex​
Tickets at: UTRGV ARTS Showpass   

Tickets: $20 General Admission, $40 VIP seats, $10 UTRGV Faculty/Staff/Senior 65+, Children

Individual Grand Concert Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 27th from 9am-5pm.

For questions or accommodations, please contact the UTRGV School of Music at (956) 665-3471.

Para preguntas sobre adaptaciones especiales, llame al (956) 665-3471.

School of Music
PACB 2.108
Email: music@utrgv.edu

Francisco Loera
Senior Lecturer
School of Music
EPACB B2.133
Email: francisco.loera@utrgv.edu

Clyde Guerra
Senior Lecturer
School of Music
EPACB 2.133
Email: clyde.guerra01@utrgv.edu

For questions or accommodations, please contact the UTRGV School of Music at (956) 665-3471.

Para preguntas sobre adaptaciones especiales, llame al (956) 665-3471.