Zeke Castro, known in Austin as the \u201cEl Rey\u201d of mariachi music, was honored on July 13 at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for his significant contributions to the advancement of mariachi music.<\/p>\n
As part of the celebration of his legacy, Castro\u2019s traje\u2014the black and silver suit he wore while performing\u2014is now on display in the museum\u2019s \u201cStory of Texas\u201d music gallery. His exhibit also features his sombrero and boots, alongside tributes to other legendary Texas musicians such as Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Beyonc\u00e9, and ZZ Top.<\/p>\n
Castro\u2019s musical journey began in 1948. At just nine years old, he participated in the inaugural Junior String Project created by the University of Texas, where he also met his future wife, Alice \u201cAly\u201d Mercado\u2014later affectionately known as \u201cThe Mariachi Mama\u201d by Castro\u2019s students.<\/p>\n
In 1961, Castro graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in viola pedagogy\u2014the study of teaching string instruments.<\/p>\n
Castro\u2019s passion for mariachi music blossomed in 1973 when he began performing as a violinist. He eventually transitioned into education, teaching mariachi at Fulmore Junior High and Travis High School in Austin. He is credited with founding multiple mariachi programs in Texas, expanding the University of Texas at Austin Mariachi Ensemble, and founding the University of Texas at Austin Mariachi Longhorn Camp for high school students.<\/p>\n
Castro\u2019s students often recall his enthusiasm for teaching and his ability to foster a strong sense of community. During the celebration at the museum, a former student, Alan Chen, shared that Castro would tell his class, \u201cMariacheros make good compa\u00f1eros\u201d<\/em>\u2014meaning mariachi musicians make good companions. Through his teaching, students learned the values of integrity, leadership, collaboration, and friendship.<\/p>\n Aly Castro expressed pride in her husband\u2019s accomplishments, describing him as a \u201ctransformational leader\u201d whose mariachi programs continue to carry on his legacy.<\/p>\n According to Zeke Castro, mariachi music is more than just playing the notes.<\/p>\n \u201cMariachi music is playing the feeling of the music. That\u2019s what you\u2019re trying to get across,\u201d Castro explained. He emphasized that every mariachi song has a hidden meaning, and that to truly perform it, musicians must discover and convey that meaning to their audience.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what differentiates mariachi music from band, orchestra, and choir,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re sending a sensation out to the people you\u2019re playing for.\u201d<\/p>\n Castro reflected that it took him years to fully understand this, describing the experience as if the music had been \u201ccalling to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen it finally dawned on me, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Zeke Castro, known in Austin as the \u201cEl Rey\u201d of mariachi music, was honored on July 13 at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for his significant contributions to the advancement of mariachi music. As part of the celebration of his legacy, Castro\u2019s traje\u2014the black and silver suit he wore while performing\u2014is now on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":71662,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[637],"tags":[638],"class_list":["post-71659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-story"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n