Costa’s own Mariachi band performed at the Hispanic Heritage Month assembly on Oct. 28. Mariachi Mira Costa, formed by senior Latino Scholars Union (LSU) Secretary Sofia Morales, is composed of students all across campus who have taken interest in hispanic culture and music.
Morales, part of the jazz orchestra at Costa, formed Mariachi Mira Costa in 2024 during her junior year. As an LSU member, Morales was working on hiring a mariachi band for last year’s Hispanic Heritage Month assembly, but found bookings to be too expensive.
“I thought, why don’t we just make our own?” said Morales. “Last year in November, I reached out to my friends in orchestra who were happy to be part of it, and a lot of our friends wanted to join too.”
Mariachi Mira Costa is a group of seniors with a deep love for latin culture and music, along with two sophomores who play bass and violin. The band does more than just perform at the Hispanic Heritage Month assembly; last year, they performed at the Eclectic Ensembles Concert, and are currently looking for gigs to keep spreading their music.
“We practice a lot at my house, all 8 of us. I play guitar and sing, but we have violin, upright bass, trumpet, and guitar,” Morales explained.
Morales has had the idea for Mariachi Mira Costa since her sophomore year, ever since her older brother and Costa ‘21 alum, Mario Morales, brought Mariachi to the Eclectic Ensembles 2021 Concert as a one-time-thing. Sofia took her older brother’s concept, and ran with it.
“When my brother did it, it was just for fun and he didn’t exactly continue it after the concert,” said Morales. “He just got a few friends together to perform. He really kickstarted the idea, and with all the other cool groups on campus, I wanted Mariachi to be a fun addition,”
Morales enjoys using Mariachi to express and appreciate her Latin heritage. Music is a huge part of any culture, but those from hispanic descent specifically use music to connect with one another and form community, just like Morales did with Mariachi Mira Costa.
“I have a lot of passion and love for my culture, and playing music makes me feel very connected to my family,” said Morales.
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