COLLECTION NAME:
Soundscapes of the People: A Musical Ethnography of Pueblo, Colorado
Record
Collection Name:
Soundscapes of the People: A Musical Ethnography of Pueblo, Colorado
Title:
Frank and Marlene Vigil Interview July 18, 2024
Title Type:
Devised
Name:
Vigil, Frank
Name Role Term Text:
Interviewee
Name:
Vigil, Marlene
Name Role Term Text:
Interviewee
Name:
Chávez, Xóchitl
Name Role Term Text:
Interviewer
Name:
Thomas, Susan
Name Role Term Text:
Interviewer
Resource Type:
Moving image
Genre:
Oral histories
Date Created:
2024-07-18
Language Term:
English
Extent:
1 online resource (1 video file) (1 hr., 5 min., 49 sec.)
Physical Description Note:
For access to the recordings on YouTube contact the University of Colorado Boulder American Music Research Center.
Abstract:
Frank and Marlene Vigil are founding members of Mariachi San Luis, a group dedicated to teaching mariachi music to children and adults in the San Luis Valley. In this interview, the Vigils discuss the founding of Mariachi San Luis, professional development, and the ways in which the ensemble built community. They share anecdotes about their standout alumni and reflections on music education.
Note:
00:00:00 The interviewers (Xóchitl Chávez and Susan Thomas) and interviewee (Frank Vigil) introduce themselves. 00:01:41 Chávez asks, “Can you think back to your childhood and tell me...what were the sounds that you would hear in your parents' home?” Frank discusses his formative musical training and listening experiences. He also shares an overview of his professional trajectory. Additional topics include: Adams State; Antonio Vigar; Denver; KOA stations; San Luis; San Pedro School; Trinchera Ranch; University of Colorado; broker's license; marching band; music major; phonograph; radio; real estate; salesman's license; trumpet; mesa; music education--Southern Colorado. 00:06:31 Frank Vigil shares information about Trinchera Ranch, a large property in the San Luis Valley where he worked for the majority of his career. Additional topics include: Belvedere Property Management; Director of Real Estate; Trinchera estate; Sangre de Cristo Grant; real estate--Colorado. 00:08:06 Frank discusses how he learned to play marching band music and mariachi music in the San Luis Valley. He shares experiences like building his first instruments and traveling to New Mexico to learn mariachi music. Additional topics include: Adams State; Alamosa; Albuquerque; Andy Manzanares; Carlos Atencio; El Rito; Fred Hopkins; Highlands; James Mondragon; Jerry Starr; Jimmy Ledger; La Jara; Las Vegas, New Mexico; Lynn Warwick; Michael Manzanares; San Luis; Sandra Sanchez; Semillas de la Tierra; classical music; guitarrón; junior high; marching band; mariachi; mariachi conference; private lessons; schools; strings; teacher; trumpet; valses; vihuela; violins; zacatecas; music; classical music; mariachi music; musical groups--San Luis Valley; music education. 00:17:18 Chávez asks, “And what is your daughter's name?” Vigil discusses the collaborative process of developing Mariachi San Luis, describing how kids and parents got involved in the group. He also shares how his own children were involved in music. Additional topics include: Adams State; Albuquerque; Danny Quintana; Dean Swift; El Burro; Joseph Quintana; Mariachi San Luis; Marlene Vigil; Mike Gomez; Nick Varela; San Luis; Trinchera Foundation; alcohol; auditions; community; conference; drugs; fundraiser; grades; guitarrón; parents; parish hall; potlucks; practice; school; students; talent; trajes; trips; trumpet; vihuela; violin; mariachi music; music education--San Luis Valley. 00:28:55 Vigil talks about his experiences of learning about mariachi at the Mariachi Spectacular in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Additional topics include: Albuquerque; Gonzalo Meza; Mariachi Spectacular; Mariachi Vargas; Mexico; Miguel Martinez; Sandia Casino; United States; guitarrón; instructors; professional performances; student showcase; trumpet; classes; mariachi music; music education. 00:31:16 Thomas asks, “Do you have a sense of--these many students that came through the group--how many of them are still making music?” Vigil talks about what former Mariachi San Luis students are doing now in music and beyond. Additional topics include: Aspen Quirico; Berklee School of Music; Denver; Erik Araña; Jerry Vigil; Jodie Vigil; Latin GRAMMYs; Lindsey Swift; Luis Madrid; Matthew Martinez; Vanessa Devereaux; mariachi; musicians; Peso Pluma; music performance; music education--San Luis Valley. 00:34:03 Vigil discusses the instruments that he and his children learned to play. Additional topics include: Jodie Vigil; guitarrón; trumpet; vihuela; violin; Jerry Vigil; music education. 00:35:27 Vigil talks about the prevalence of mariachi bands in Colorado and surrounding US states. Additional topics include: Adams County; Adams State; Alamosa; Arizona; Las Vegas; New Mexico; Nick Branchal; Questa; Texas; mariachi; Colorado; mariachi music--Southwestern United States. 00:36:55 Vigil discusses how he was introduced to Mexican film music as he was growing up in San Luis. Additional topics include: Antonio Aguilar; Luis Aguilar; Mexican films; Pueblo; San Luis; albums; Liberty Theatre; entertainment--San Luis Valley. 00:38:35 Vigil discusses the ways in which Pueblo and the San Luis Valley shared mariachi instructors and entertainment opportunities. Additional topics include: Adams State; CSU-Pueblo; Central High School; Cesar Chávez Academy; Denver School of the Arts; Ordinance; World War II; clothes; entertainment; folklórico; mariachi; senior project; shopping; steel mill; workshops; Pueblo; economy--Southern Colorado; music education--Southern Colorado; mariachi music--Southern Colorado. 00:44:15 Thomas asks, “I guess I'm just wondering if you could talk about what it feels like as someone who created this opportunity to explore mariachi?” Frank and Marlene Vigil share their reflections on building community and teaching mariachi music through Mariachi San Luis. Additional topics include: Mariachi San Luis; San Luis; alcohol; community; creative outlet; drugs; family; grades; health; instruments; parents; respect; rules; trajes; trips; tutor; students; music education--San Luis Valley. 00:51:29 Chávez asks, “Where did you all go to get the mariachi outfits?” Frank and Marlene talk about parents' roles in getting mariachi outfits as well as keeping books and facilitating travel. Additional topics include: Albuquerque; Mexico; books; hotel; seamstress; trajes; grant; volunteerism. 00:54:13 Frank shares his reflections on the merits of mariachi music, including health benefits and intercultural education. Additional topics include: African; Caribbean; instruments; mariachi; mind; music; poetry; rhythms; skill; trumpet; music education. 00:58:15 Frank shows the guitarrón, vihuela, and violin that he made and talks about the process of making them. Additional topics include: cedar; construction; finishes; frets; glue; guitarrón; lumber; luthier; nylon; pallet; redwood; vihuela; violin; walnut; white; woodworking; oak; instrument making. 01:03:34 Frank Vigil shares reflections on his life in the San Luis Valley and the importance of music there. Additional topics include: Alamosa; La Puente; San Luis; economics; Mariachi San Luis. End of recording.
Note Type:
Time coded description
Subject Topic:
Music--Instruction and study
Subject Topic:
Mariachi (Music)
Subject Topic:
Music--Instruction and study--San Luis Valley
Subject Name:
Mariachi San Luis
Subject Geographic:
San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Colorado, United States, North America) (valley)
Identifier:
Frank_Marlene_Vigil_Full_Interview_2024-17-18.mp4
Physical Location:
American Music Research Center
Date Captured:
2024
Internet Media Type:
video/mp4
Digital Origin:
born digital
Access Condition:
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).