Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan bringing the sounds of Mexico to Symphony Center

Cuando suena el mariachi, el mundo canta! The world sings when the mariachi plays.

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan has been enchanting the world and sharing the stage with some of Mexico’s greats such as Pedro Infante, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Agustin Lara, Juan Gabriel and Luis Miguel throughout its 122-year history.

For those not familiar with the music giants, think of them as the Mexican versions of John Wayne and Frank Sinatra. It’s a big deal.

“It’s beautiful to share our music in other countries where they don’t speak Spanish,” Arturo Vargas, an 18-year veteran of the group, said in Spanish. “We fill theaters and it’s gratifying to know Mariachi Vargas have cultivated people for more than a century. It’s a real privilege”

Powerful gritos full of Mexican pride will soar when Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan performs classic works and new takes on traditional Mexican songs Saturday at Symphony Center.

The world-renowned mariachi ensemble, founded in 1898, has become one of the most internationally celebrated groups in Mexican music history. Mariachi Vargas now plays more than 200 shows a year at prestigious auditoriums or massive music events.

The ensemble boasts six violinists, three men on trumpets, two guitarists, a harp player, one person on viola and another on guitarron. Seven men in the 14-piece group double as vocalists.

Vargas, 50, who is a singer and guitarist with the group, said quality is a major factor that contributes to Mariachi Vargas’ success and enduring legacy.

“We have first-quality musicians and singers,” he said. “When people come see us, they have high expectations, which we have delivered for more than a century.”

Nurturing the next generation of mariachi artists is a big responsibility for Mariachi Vargas. In 1995, the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza was founded with the mission to promote and present world-class mariachi artists and preserving the cultural tradition of the Hispanic heritage.

“It is fundamental and essential for us to have that presence,” Vargas said. “We are part of what Mexican music is and we need the next generation to come and take over.”

Kaylee Bucio, an 8-year-old singer who has the lungs of an Olympic athlete, will be opening Saturday night’s performance with “La Granada” — a traditional mariachi song that won her the title of “Grand Champion Vocal Winner” at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Competition in San Antonio, Texas, in 2019.

Courtesy Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan

Kaylee is visiting Chicago for the first time and said she is very thankful for the experience.

“I’ve been practicing really hard and I’m not giving up,” the young singer said. “I’m excited for people to hear me sing, especially the part where I hold out the long note at the last bit of the song.”

Before becoming an official member of the prestigious ensemble, Vargas said he had a “test year” where they checked his aptitude, how well he retained the music and his chemistry with people.

For almost 20 years, he’s had a ton of favorite memories performing in Paris and throughout Spain. But one of his most special experiences happened in the Czech Republic where almost no one understood Spanish, let alone mariachi music.

“There were maybe only four Mexicans in the audience and the rest were Czech,” Vargas said, chuckling about the obvious language barrier. “It was a great blessing to share our music with them and see them have a great time.”

About the group marking their twelfth visit to Chicago on Saturday night, Vargas said they consider it a privilege to introduce mariachi newbies, especially, to the sound of Mexico. Mariachi Vargas will bring “la gente” — their favorite Mexican classics — while introducing them to new songs the group has been working on.

“The Chicago crowd always sings along and has a great time with us,” Vargas said. “It’s as if we have gone to any other place in Mexico.”