Mariachi Escorpión to play for Bush at inaugural ball

By Abraham Figueroa

President Bush will be treated to the sounds of traditional Mexican music by UTB/TSC's Mariachi Escorpión, one of many entertainers invited to attend the Black Tie & Boots inaugural gala in Washington, D.C., during inaugural week.

COURTESY PHOTO

Sophomore Charlie Tovar and junior Maria Isabel Salazar tune their violins before practicing the material they will play during the Black Tie & Boots Ball in Washington, D.C., during inaugural week. Tovar and Salazar are music majors.

"William Shute, who is the vice chancellor in charge of federal relations for the University of Texas System, heard us a couple of years ago here at the Jacob Brown Auditorium," said Antonio Briseño, associate Fine Arts professor. "He asked us if we wanted to be part of the entertainment for the Black Tie & Boots presentation, which will take place during inaugural week."

Shute, Briseño said, was impressed with the mariachi's performance last October. This will be the first time the Mariachi Escorpión performs at an inaugural ball.

"We're supposed to be performing at the Marriott Wardman Hotel," Briseño said.

"They're having all the festivities there for the Texas Group. … We will be performing at the entrance, the foyer and also inside. The president will be there at the ball."
George W. Bush will be sworn into office for his second term in office on Thursday.
At the Black Tie & Boots Ball, Mariachi Escorpión will be playing traditional music such as "La Negra," "Veracruz Tres" and "El Zopilote Mojado." Sixteen students will be flying to Washington, D.C.

"I've been to Washington [D.C.], but a lot of the students haven't," Briseño said.

"We're going to be there on the 18th, which is a day before, so hopefully we'll be able to go on a little tour of the different places there."
Briseño, who started the mariachi in the fall of 1998, said that performing at the nation's capital is the perfect example of why he was driven to start a mariachi program.

"My whole reason for starting the mariachi was to get the cultural vision and pass it on and have other people be aware that mariachi is a viable and very important genre in our music. So it kind of helps me with my goals, and I'm very honored and very proud, " Briseño said.

The students are proud of their participation in the event.

"Since we're with the mariachi and since we're down here so far south, it's a great honor," said Charlie Tovar, a sophomore music major who plays the violin. "It's really nice to know that we're recognized for what we do."
Other students share Tovar's enthusiasm and are also looking forward to visiting the capital.

"It's very exciting," said Fernando Morales, a sophomore international business major who plays vihuela. "It's the first time I'm going to Washington, D.C., and I'm very proud to be able to go and play over there."

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