Ensemble History: Music of Mexico Ensemble

The Music of Mexico Ensemble, originally called “Uclatlán,” was formed in 1961 by graduate student Donald Borcherdt. During the 1964-65 academic year, the course Music 45J/145J (Music and Dance of Mexico) was offered for the first time by Borcherdt. From 1977-79 the class ceased to exist. From 1980 to 1989, Steve Loza, who was first a graduate student and later became a faculty member, directed the class. He reformated the group to include not only the music of Mexico but also Caribbean and South American styles, with a focus on salsa, and the group became known as "Uclatino."  Nati Cano was hired to direct the ensemble in 1989, and it returned to the mariachi format. Instructors of the Music of Mexico Ensemble include: Jesus Sanchez (1968-75); graduate students Don Borcherdt, Mark Fogelquist, and Dan Sheehy; Steve Loza (1980-89); Nati Cano (1989-00); Jesus Guzman (2000 to the present).

Donn Borcherdt playing the guitarrón Photo: Courtesy Ethnomusicology Archive	Music of México Ensemble Photo: Courtesy Ethnomusicology Archive
Music of México Ensemble Photo: Courtesy Ethnomusicology Archive	Music of México Ensemble Photo: Courtesy Ethnomusicology Archive
Uclatlán (1970s) Photo: Courtesy Dan Sheehy	Uclatlán (1970s) Photo: Courtesy Dan Sheehy
Uclatlán (1975) Photo: Courtesy Dan Sheehy	Uclatlán (1970s) Photo: Courtesy Dan Sheehy

Music of México Ensemble (1999) Photo: Unknown	Nati Cano
Music of México Ensemble with Jesus Guzman (2006) Photo: Todd Cheney	Music of México Ensemble with the Herrera Brothers (2006) Photo: Todd Cheney
Music of México Ensemble at the Hammer Museum with Jesus Guzman (2006) Photo: Romeo Guzman	Mariachi de Uclatlán (2010) Photo: Romeo Guzman
Music of México Ensemble (2010) Photo: Romeo Guzman	Music of México Ensemble (2010) Photo: Romeo Guzman