Mariachi Champaña Nevin

-“…World class Mariachi”

Mariachi Champaña Nevin is widely regarded as one of the leading proponents of “classical mariachi music” in the world. Comprised of virtuoso mariachi and classical musicians, this unique ensemble fully embraces the ideals of traditional Mexican music and European Classical music. Led by composer, trumpeter and conductor Jeff Nevin, they have delighted diverse audiences across the US, Mexico, and as far away as Russia, South Korea and Turkmenistan for more than two decades.

Ensembles

Standard Mariachi

The standard mariachi is comprised of 6-7 violins, 2-3 trumpets, harp, guitarrón, vihuela, guitar. This is the ideal ensemble to solo with symphony orchestra on pops programs or performing the Concerto for Mariachi and Orchestra. We also perform full concerts with this ensemble alone.

Symphonic Mariachi

“Symphonic Mariachi Champaña Nevin” is comprised of the mariachi plus 10-15 classical musicians (extra violins, violas, cellos, woodwinds, horn and percussion). This is distinct from our “mariachi with orchestra” performances since there is no distinction between the classical and mariachi musicians: it’s all one ensemble. We often perform our Día de Muertos and Mexican Christmas concerts with this ensemble (though those programs may also be performed with orchestra)

Smaller Mariachi

For regional orchestras and more intimate concert series we offer a scaled-down ensemble with 6-8 musicians that is capable of performing most of our orchestral pops repertoire and solo concerts. This ensemble is also ideal for smaller community centers (up to 600 seats) and educational concerts..

Soprano, Trumpet, Mariachi Guitar Trio

The song cycle “Al aire libre” is scored for soprano, trumpet solo (who is also conducting), 3 mariachi guitars and full orchestra. With this same instrumentation we can fill a full concert with your orchestra.

Equal Opportunity Mariachi

The mariachi has traditionally (and famously) been a male-dominated ensemble, although all-female mariachis date to at least the 1950’s and have become very popular across the US recently. Curiously, though, and seemingly without exception, top-tier mariachis are still either all-male or all-female. Mariachi Champaña Nevin is currently and proudly the only top-tier mariachi in the world with both men and women performing. But this is less social commentary than it is artistic vision: the inclusion of women singing together with the men expands our repertoire and enriches the range of sounds possible.

Specialized Concert Programs

Mariachi Champaña Nevin is unique in the world of mariachi for specializing in the combination of mariachi with classical music. We do this through soloing with symphony orchestra, trailblazing new repertoire for mariachi and orchestra, collaborating with world-class Mexican opera singers and utilizing the unique mariachi instrumentation (violins, trumpets, acoustic guitars and voice) to move seamlessly from performing traditional Mexican music to arrangements of classical favorites — never losing touch with either artistic sensibility along the way.

SYMPHONIC POPS CONCERTs

The perfect way to reach new audiences, with culturally significant programming that appeals to community members who may not otherwise think to attend orchestral performances. Mariachi Champaña Nevin’s pops programming seamlessly bridges classical and traditional-Mexican music, such that BOTH audiences are satisfied and delighted. The orchestra is featured prominently, meaning people who come to hear the mariachi are likely to return to hear the orchestra on other programs — which (needless to say) can’t be said about all pops programming. Jeff Nevin addresses the audience in English and Spanish, welcoming everyone. Repertoire includes nearly 100 arrangements of traditional and popular Mexican music scored for mariachi and orchestra, enough to fill 4+ full concert programs without repeating.

Symphonic “Classics” Concerts

Mariachi Champaña Nevin is the only mariachi with repertoire suitable for serious symphonic classics concerts, in addition to our pops repertoire. Contemporary classical compositions we perform include:

Concerto for Mariachi and Orchestra “Pasión Mexicana”

by José Hernández and Jeff Nevin (1998).

Al aire libre — Para entrar en materia

Song cycle based on the poetry of Alberto Blanco and scored for soprano, trumpet solo/conductor, 3 mariachi guitars and orchestra, by Jeff Nevin (2005/13).

Bracero

Cantada for 4 vocal soloists, mariachi and orchestra, by Enrico Chapelo (2020).

La fiesta de la nochebuena — A Traditional Mexican Christmas Eve Celebration

A magical, musical depiction of Mary and Joseph following the North Star into Bethlehem is the centerpiece of this traditional Mexican Christmas Eve celebration. Featuring original music woven together with traditional Mexican carols such as “Las posadas” and “Campanas de Belén”, plus universally-beloved songs including “O Holy Night” (in Spanish) and “Ave María”, this is a performance with universal appeal. May be performed with mariachi and orchestra or symphonic mariachi.

Día de Muertos

Mexico’s famed “Day of the Dead” festival has received a lot of attention lately following the release of Disney’s movie Coco, but Mariachi Champaña Nevin was ahead of the curve, performing their Día de Muertos concerts in San Diego nearly every year since 2008. Far from the cliché “songs about ghosts” that some people might imagine, this performance is a celebration of the musicians and composers who forged the mariachi tradition — literally the “all-time greatest hits” of Mexican music. Featuring music by Mexico’s greatest composers including Manuel M. Ponce, Pablo Moncayo, José Alfredo Jimenez, Tomás Méndez and others, as well as legendary singers including Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante, Lucha Reyes, Lola Beltrán, Javier Solís and more. Culturally significant, artistically captivating and spiritually uplifting. Performed by Symphonic Mariachi Champaña Nevin, or Mariachi Champaña Nevin and orchestra — with optional vocal soloists.

Así fue mi padre

José Alfredo Jimenez Medel presents a multimedia show — 1/2 live music, 1/2 narration and historic videos — about the life and music of his namesake father, the most famous and beloved singer-songwriter in Mexican history. Audiences leave the performance educated and moved — not a dry eye in the house! Performed by José Alfredo Jiménez Medel, Mariachi Champaña Nevin, 2 vocal soloists and technical crew.