Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs
Founded by Max Baca, Los Texmaniacs, is a Tex-Mex folk band composed of Baca (bajo sexto), Josh Baca (accordion), Noel Hernandez (electric bass) and Chris Rivera (drums). The group won a Grammy Award for Tejano Album of the Year for their Smithsonian Folkways Recording “Borders y Bailes.” Bringing elements of polka, waltz and traditional Mexican folk music, Los Texmaniacs combine musical styles to create an engaging and fun musical performance!
*This concert will feature a special performance by the Latino Arts Strings Program!
LATINO ARTS STRINGS PROGRAM
The national award-winning Latino Arts Strings Program (LASP) was established in the fall of 2002 at the United Community Center (UCC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is housed in the Bruce-Guadalupe Community School (BGCS). Created and directed by Dinorah Marquez, this pre-college music training program provides Latino students with instruments, music materials, individual lessons, small group and orchestra, and mariachi ensemble lessons every week, all for a fee of $75 per school year.
The program reaches more than 200 children ages five through eighteen that may otherwise never have the opportunity to receive serious music instruction. LASP began with 26 students in 2002 and now serves over 200 students in violin, viola, cello, bass, and guitar. In addition to giving several solo recitals during the year, LASP students participate in one or more ensembles, which includes a “Latino Youth Orchestra,” one of four mariachi groups, and varied chamber ensembles.
Under the instruction of 10 teachers, students receive a solid technical foundation and classical training. However, technique development is acquired through the exploration of various forms of Latin American folk music, which we lovingly refer to as "from Bamba to Bach" or "from Mariachi to Mozart."