Moorpark Education Foundation Donates $9,000 to Chaparral Middle School Mariachi Group

  

(Moorpark, California) Dec. 12, 2023—The holiday season brought with it a very generous gift for students in Chaparral Middle School’s mariachi band.

During Moorpark Unified School District’s Dec. 12 board meeting, Moorpark Education Foundation President David Pollock and fellow MEF board members presented a $9,000 donation that will be used to pay for mariachi instruments and the traditional charro suits for the 12 students in the middle school’s mariachi band.

“This is our biggest donation in a while,” Pollock said. “The mariachi band is something new that hasn’t been done before in our schools. The need for new suits and instruments was a very specific and tangible need, and the foundation can see a multiyear benefit to students with this donation.”

Before the check presentation, the students played for the board and those in attendance at the Tuesday night meeting.

Started this year by music teacher Rachel Counihan, the newly-formed group offers Chaparral students a fun after-school opportunity to learn the traditional mariachi music that requires both playing an instrument and also singing.

The donation will help pay for customary mariachi charro suits and instruments such as the guitarrón and the vihuela.

The charro suit is a traditional Mexican outfit known for its elaborate and elegant style. Its origins date back to the 18th century, evolving from the attire worn by horsemen in colonial Mexico.

The distinctive attire typically includes tight-fitting trousers adorned with silver buttons or embroidery, a short jacket called a chaquetilla, often embellished with intricate designs, an embellished vest, a wide-brimmed sombrero, and sometimes a bowtie or neckerchief. The charro suit remains a symbol of Mexican culture and heritage, frequently worn during special events, celebrations and traditional festivities like mariachi performances or weddings.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Moorpark Education Foundation for their generous donation towards our mariachi band's traditional charro suits and instruments,” Chaparral Principal Tisha Glassman said. “This investment in our brand-new program not only enhances our students' cultural experiences but also fosters a sense of pride and tradition within our school community. We sincerely appreciate this donation that shows true community support for this musical opportunity for students at Chaparral Middle School that honors the long-standing Mexican heritage of Moorpark and the incredibly rich tradition of mariachi music.”

Pollock, who served 15 years on the Moorpark Unified School District board and 13 years on the Moorpark City Council, said the Moorpark Education Foundation is focused on supporting the needs of all MUSD schools with a particular focus on music and the arts.  

“We’ve been reinventing ourselves to be a more robust foundation in terms of fundraising,” Pollock said of the 10-member board. “Committees are working on specific initiatives we hope to roll out before the end of the school year.”

The Moorpark Education Foundation will be a co-sponsor of the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce’s Feb. 6 mixer at the recently opened Lucky Strike Bowling Alley. For more information about the foundation, visit moorparkedfoundation.org.