Mariachi Charanda Mariachi Charanda Mariachi Charanda is a traditional mariachi or “son” musical group from Mexico. The group works to conserve the version of this music, originally done only with string instruments, working with educational and cultural institutions to present this antique style of music all over Mexico and abroad. Founded in 1979, the group has been together over thirty years, with members José Luis Perujo on the violin, Javier Lassard on violin, Carlos Carral in Mexican vihuela, Sergio Mendez on guitarra de golpe, Emilio Perujo on guitarrón mexicano, with vocals by María Perujo. The group’s repertoire mostly consists of traditional son
Mariachi schools. In areas with large Mexican-American populations, mariachis are being hired for events outside this ethnic group as well. Outside of schools, the most important venue for the music in the United States is mariachi festivals with the longest running festivals in Tucson and Fresno. The Tucson International Mariachi Conference began in 1982. It originally was held in the downtown but in 2012 moved to the Casino Del Sol. It showcases over 500 elementary, middle, and high schools and college mariachi players. The Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival, established in 1991, is televised on Telemundo and PBS and has headlined