Recommending this great article by John Burnett. Podcast fans can listen to the story published by NPR on July 10, 2023. The article was also broadcasted on All Things Considered.
Serving on the board of directors of Texas Folklife brought me closer to appreciating the value of the music born in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and how its popularity is increasing among our youth. This story is about talented High School students, their instructors, and the Conjunto bands making history across the state.
Conjunto is the music of the working people, as the story states, and Juan Longoria, a Texas Folklife Accordion Kings and Queens winner, is the director of the award-winning conjunto program at Los Fresnos High School. Longoria is a great supporter of Texas Folklife’s mission of promoting and supporting the living traditions of Texas. You can be a supporter, too, by becoming a member or sponsor.
To read the full story published on the NPR website, click here.
I encourage readers to visit Texas Folklife’s website and become members, so it continues to support the Valley’s youth on their road to musical success.
I’ve written several articles about the Conjunto Music of the Rio Grande Valley, and meeting the people and musicians involved in keeping this tradition alive has been a blessing and a source of pride for the Valley’s musical heritage. These stories are listed below.
Thank you for visiting, and don’t forget to visit Texas Folklife’s website. Happy dancing!
Featured image of my husband and I with Max Baca, Josh Baca, and Noel Hernandez of the Texmaniacs Band.
La Vida Valley | Living la Vida Local 