Student ensembles will share the stage to feature the music of Mexico and Son Jarocho.
The Music of México Ensemble features mariachi music in a variety of musical styles from various regions of Mexico, including son jalisciense, son huasteco, bolero, ranchera, and huapango. This performance course is designed to familiarize and expose musicians to the repertoire, technique, and musical styles of the mariachi tradition. The performing branch of the class Mariachi de Uclatlán, was formed in 1961, making it the first academic mariachi group in the world. Since the early 1960s, the ensemble has held an important legacy in the transmission of mariachi music in the United States.
The UCLA Son Jarocho Ensemble—Oso BruinSon, formed in April 2026—presents the music of the fandango from Veracruz, Mexico. Featuring sones jarochos the ensemble invites you to dance and sing in celebration of life, honoring the music's history and its blend of Arabic, Andalusian, Bantu, and indigenous Sotavento roots. Their performance features instruments including the jarana, requinto, leona, harp, zapateado (percussive footwork), quijada, and pandero.
We hope you enjoy this vibrant music and join us in participating in our fandango in "Uclatlán, CA"!
The 66th Annual Spring Festival of World Music
Continuing a tradition begun in 1960, the Department of Ethnomusicology draws on its incredible collection of world musical instruments to present its annual Spring Festival of World Music. It's an opportunity for student ensembles to perform and share traditional musics from around the world as they master their instruments. The 2026 festival concert dates run from April 26th to June 3rd. The festival is free and open to the public. All concerts are in Schoenberg Hall and Lani Hall. We look forward to welcoming you to The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for our storied Spring Festival of World Music. Click Here to Learn More about the Festival