TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — Nearly 20 years later, Pima Community College has relaunched its mariachi program with the help of former PCC football alumni who have taken their talent from the field to the stage.

Don Fuentes Jr. wanted to revive the mariachi sound at his local community college. Almost two summers ago, he pitched the idea to college leaders.

Fuentes had to distribute flyers, visit local high schools with mariachi programs to recruit students, and raise funds so he could buy mariachi instruments and traditional costumes.

About a year after the program was discontinued, Fuentes was able to start the program and fine-tune it. This is because we want our students to access their heritage through music.

Don Fuentes Jr. of Pima Community College West said, “It’s like losing a part of yourself to reconnect with our culture and feel something you don’t get with the normal music on the radio.” I’m talking campus.

For the current school year, new mariachi programs have taken place at concerts, events and showcases in Southern Arizona and most recently the Tucson International Mariachi Conference.

This was a loving job that Fuentes says was worth the wait. He says hearing students connect through mariachi is music to his ears.

“I feel a great connection and a kind of pride. As a Tucsonian who played football here and went to high school here, I bring a variety of experiences to my hometown,” Fuentes said.

There are currently no summer classes in the Mariachi Program as the school year is ending quickly, but we are enrolling for the Fall 2023 semester.For more information please visit their website
or contact dfuentes4@pima.edu