Frank Elementary's Mariachi Legacy Featured in National Research Journal

For generations, Frank Elementary School has been more than a place of learning — it's been a cornerstone of the Guadalupe community, where culture, tradition, and education come together. Now, a special chapter in the school's history is receiving national recognition.

The Journal of Historical Research in Music Education recently published "Los Mariachitos de Guadalupe: A Long-Lost Treasure of Guadalupe, Arizona," documenting the story of Los Mariachitos de Guadalupe, the student mariachi ensemble founded at Frank Elementary in the early 1990s by music teacher Marna Bowling.

The research explores how the program celebrated the culture and traditions of the Guadalupe community while helping students develop confidence, musicianship, and a sense of belonging. What began as a small after-school ensemble grew into one of Arizona's earliest elementary school mariachi programs, earning opportunities to perform on Sesame Street, alongside The Phoenix Symphony and Doc Severinsen, and at prestigious music conferences.

The article also highlights Los Mariachitos as an early example of culturally responsive teaching, demonstrating how music can honor students' identities while building strong connections between schools, families, and the community.

This publication preserves an important part of Frank Elementary's history and celebrates the lasting impact of the students, educators, and families who made Los Mariachitos de Guadalupe an unforgettable part of the school's legacy.

Read the published research:
Los Mariachitos de Guadalupe: A Long-Lost Treasure of Guadalupe, Arizona by Scott Adam Saul Glasser, Journal of Historical Research in Music Education
 

Watch Frank Mariachi Students Perform with Big Bird!