IMAGINE Grants encourage innovative ideas that advance equity and enhance students’ experiences in their school communities.
The Vihuelas for Mariachi project, funded by a $5,000 IMAGINE grant last school year, has brought a new vibrancy to Garfield Elementary’s music program. This project enables students participating in Mariachi Geco and all 4th and 5th graders to learn and play the vihuela, a key instrument in Mariachi music.
Kathryn Kinney, the music teacher behind the project, noted the project’s impact:
“Students have developed a deeper understanding of the vihuela’s cultural signifigance, and many choose it as their primary instrument.”
Students have learned to identify the vihuela, demonstrate proper technique, and understand its cultural role in Mariachi. Most importantly, this project has fostered a deeper love of Mariachi for Garfield’s students.
“Many students had siblings in kindergarten. We invited the kindergarten students to come with their siblings to Mariachi, and I gave them instruments to try and play. I let them play Vihuela, Guitar, and Violin. For our first concert, the kindergarten students performed with the Mariachi,” shares Kinney. “This could be a tradition that continues in the future!”
Additionally, Mariachi Divas performed at PRAx and sent a special invitation to Garfield’s 4th and 5th graders and performed a show just for kids. The Divas gave a signed poster to Garfield’s Mariachi Geco and encouraged the students to continue to build their Mariachi skills. With the vihuela now a staple in Garfield Elementary’s music curriculum, future students will benefit from access to these rich, culturally significant instruments and a continued passion for Mariachi.
The IMAGINE Grant cycle is open until October 1st.
Any Corvallis School District employee may apply. For more details, visit our website!