The Mazatlán Municipal Institute of Culture, Tourism, and Art, through the Municipal Arts Center (CMA), has relaunched free Regional Music workshops in the communities of El Quelite, Isla de la Piedra, and Siqueros, under the coordination of instructor and musician Santiago Rosas.
A key initiative for the program coordinator and the instructors in these rural communities is to attract more people interested in learning music, particularly young people.
“We are looking to redouble our efforts to attract more people from surrounding communities; we are even considering inviting young people from Mármol and El Recreo to come to El Quelite, as those towns are closer,” he stated.
During this new academic cycle, new students have joined the program in El Quelite, while participation numbers have remained steady in Isla de la Piedra, with plans to invite the community of Barrón to join the classes. Meanwhile, the Siqueros workshop boasts high attendance, drawing students from nearby communities such as Villa Unión.
Classes are held on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Isla de la Piedra and El Quelite, whereas in Siqueros, the instructor coordinates the schedule directly with the students.
The lead instructors are Miguel Ángel Loaiza—known as “El Mikito”—in the El Quelite district; José Lizárraga Zatarain in Siqueros; and Ricardo Díaz Sarabia in Isla de la Piedra.
Santiago Rosas noted that the program is adapted to local circumstances; since they cannot follow the exact curriculum used at the Municipal Arts Center, the instructors adjust the coursework to ensure students graduate with the skills and knowledge required of a *banda* musician. The workshop has been a great success in the communities, so steps are already being taken and requests made to form a representative band.
