I Heard the Passion Through the Fingertips....

Some children may have grown up watching television, but I was a child who was taught to listen to music. Music was everywhere for me, such as oldies, big band, tejano, conjunto, country, rock and roll, it was all so marvelous. Music is a form of art for me, and a way to escape from reality and let my mind wonder into all creativity. When I saw the video Ms. Ornelas placed on reserve in the library for her students, I was embracing the beauty of art, although it was music not something that hung on a wall with no movement. While watching the video I was aware of two different methods of art that were present; seeing the musicians play, and hearing them. Valerio Longoria is known as the Jimmy Hendrix of the accordion. The way the musicians like Lydia Mendoza, who is considered the “Queen” of tejano, Isidro Lopez, and many others played it was obvious that these musicians felt a spiritual connection with their body and just physically released it through the movement in their music and playing and voices. Growing up in a small town a little south of San Antonio, I have come across many local tejano and conjunto bands and musicians. The passion that these musicians show is exuberating and most definitely contagious. When I see them and hear them play I feel the want and desire to join in whether it be to tap my foot, clap my hands, sing, or move my body to the beat. Conjunto music is a mixture of so many different cultures and is one type of music where you hear all the influences in the music. This gives it a very defined and unique sound. So next time I hear the conjunto version of “Louie Louie”, or “Oye Como Va”, I’ll listen a little closer and know the passion that escapes through the fingertips of the musicians into every note.

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