In 2016, Fremont Unified School District showcased a remarkable arts education initiative that highlighted the transformative power of music. Inspired by programs like Mariachi Chavez at Cesar Chavez High School, Fremont’s commitment to arts education took center stage with the journey of Mariachi Los Toritos to Washington, D.C. This trip, led by music educator Tito Talamantes, a founding member of Mariachi Chavez, aimed to demonstrate the profound impact of arts in schools.
Tito Talamantes, once a student at Cesar Chavez High in Stockton and a key figure in establishing Mariachi Chavez, returned to education as an instructor. At Fremont Elementary, he prepared his middle school ensemble, Mariachi Los Toritos, for a significant performance. He meticulously guided them, even on the details of their attire, ensuring their moños, the characteristic bow ties of mariachi ensembles, were perfectly placed.
“This is your moño,” Talamantes explained to his students. The young musicians, ranging from sixth to eighth grade, were on the cusp of a significant event: performing in Washington, D.C. This performance was part of Fremont’s participation in the national Turnaround Arts initiative, a program designed to uplift schools through arts education. Fremont’s involvement underscored the district’s dedication to integrating arts across the curriculum.
The Turnaround Arts initiative, a collaboration involving the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Endowment for the Arts, focuses on using arts education as a catalyst for improvement in struggling schools. The initiative aims to boost student attendance, increase parent involvement, and enhance academic achievement. Fremont Unified School District, with Fremont Elementary as a participating school, was one of ten California districts chosen for this transformative program.
Cindy Wildman, the visual and performing arts coordinator for Stockton Unified School District, elaborated on the initiative’s impact: “It allowed us to develop a K-12 arts pipeline for our students. We’re improving education through the arts.” This pipeline ensured that students in Fremont schools received consistent arts education from kindergarten onwards. From kindergarten to fourth grade, students at Fremont Elementary enjoyed 45 minutes of weekly arts exploration, encompassing dance, theater, and music.
In fifth grade, students began to specialize, choosing a fine arts pathway, with mariachi being a popular option. These students then received 100 minutes of focused arts education each week. Dalia, an eighth-grade guitarist in Mariachi Los Toritos, emphasized the positive influence of the program: “With mariachi, you have to keep your grades up, and you have to do good. That’s why I’m out of trouble now.” This sentiment reflects the broader impact of arts education on student discipline and motivation.
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Cynthia, another eighth grader and vihuela player, shared how mariachi broadened her horizons: “It’s nice to have music and art because it introduces you to new stuff. It keeps you focused and wanting to do better.” For students at Fremont Elementary, where a majority come from low-income Spanish-speaking families, the arts program provided a significant enrichment to their educational experience.
The Washington, D.C. trip was a momentous occasion, marking the first long-distance travel for many Mariachi Los Toritos members. They were set to perform before an audience of music educators, advocates, and peers, some of whom might be unfamiliar with mariachi music. Wildman prepared the students for potential cultural differences: “There’s a chance that, when Sara starts singing in Spanish, they might giggle. Keep playing. You are exposing them to a different kind of music, a different kind of world.” This trip was not just a performance; it was a cultural exchange and an opportunity for these young musicians to become ambassadors for their community.
For Talamantes, mariachi was more than music; it was a vehicle for identity and community: “Just having an opportunity for kids in this community to have a place to come and find their identity … that’s what I hope to do with mariachi.” The 2016 arts initiative in Fremont Unified School District, exemplified by Mariachi Los Toritos’ journey, demonstrated the profound and multifaceted benefits of arts education, fostering not only artistic skills but also personal growth, cultural awareness, and community pride.
