News

Conference explores 'Tejano' music

Cougar News Services

Drawing on a rich and vibrant history, the Center for Mexican American Studies will bring in cultural experts, artists, musicians and industry representatives to explore the multicultural evolution of what is now called Tejano.

In a two-day conference at the Universityis Hilton Hotel, CMAS is holding "Dancing Across Texas: The History, Status and Future of Musica Tejana." In addition to a historical discussion, the conference will also tackle the role of women in Tejano, the status and future status of the music form and to celebrate the popularity and diversity of the music.

"The focus on Tejano music was selected because it has played an important role in the lives of many Mexican Americans, dating back to the 1930s … For them, the music represents a strong symbol of identity," Lorenzo Cano, associate director for CMAS said in a press release.

Film and television producer Hector Galán will provide the conferenceis keynote speech Thursday. Galán is currently working on a TV series about Latino art and culture called Visiones.

Providing their academic backgrounds to the conference, Manuel Pena, a professor of music at California State University at Fresno and Guadalupe San Miguel, an associate professor of history at UH, will give presentations. Miguel will begin the conference with his talk on the history of Tejano music.

Discussion panels, headed up by members of the Tejano music industry, including Linda Escobar, who has performed throughout Japan, and Ramiro Burr, a syndicated columnist and music critic, will take on issues currently facing the industry, and what the growing art form can expect in the future.

In addition to the presentations and discussions, the conference will also show off 60 yearsi worth of Tejano musical history through a photograph display; the conference also offers a book-signing for Miguel and Pena who have both published books -- Tejano Proud and The Texas-Mexican Conjunto, respectively.

On Friday, the Houston-based Tejano band Aviso will be in concert to show off its full range of orchestral power. 
 

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