Staff report
William “Carlton” Galvez, who graduated from Lehman High School in 2010, took first prize in the Dec. 7, 2013, Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal Competition at San Antonio’s Lila Cockrell Theater.
The competition featured 36 vocalists from nearly 20 cities in Texas. Students were selected out of hundreds of entries as finalists in early November. They had the opportunity to perform in front of judges including Mariachi Vargas’ vocalists Steeven Sandoval, Daniel Martinez and Jose “Pepe” Martinez, Jr.
Blogger Cynthia Munoz on mariachimusic.com wrote, “Galvez stood out, shining amongst the finalists.”
Lehman High School graduate William “Carlton” Galvez took first place at the Dec. 7 Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal Competition at San Antonio’s Lila Cockrell Theater. He started his career at Hemphill Elementary. (Photo courtesy of Cynthia Munoz) |
She said he was selected as the Best Mariachi Vocalist in the U.S. for his rendition of Jurame, what Munoz called traditional mariachi with a hint of opera.
The competition is based on how well the vocalists perform in front of the judges – members of the world’s preeminent Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan – and a live audience of nearly 1,000.
Munoz wrote that Galvez didn’t grow up in a Spanish-speaking household. His father is African American while his mother is Mexican and Caucasian. She interviewed Galvez about his affinity for Mariachi.
“I have to credit my mother for introducing me to many different musical genres while growing up,” said William. “I listened to everything from R&B to Reggae and Tejano to Country but it was Mariachi music that I connected with the most.”
Galvez started in the Hemphill Elementary mariachi program in his hometown of Kyle, with the help of teacher Carlos Maldonado. He also participated in mariachi programs offered at the San Marcos Mariachi Academy.
He told Munoz he was persuaded by a member of Campanas de Americato attend Palo Alto College after graduating from Lehman. He tried out for the vocal competition and made it to the finals, placing second in the college category in 2012.
He enrolled in a vocal class with Juan Ortizat Palo Alto College. He told Ortiz he wanted to sing the song Jurame for his class project and in preparation for the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. The pair spent the whole semester improving his diction, practicing daily.
Munoz believes his hard work paid off.
“William’s performance was breathtaking. He nailed it during the competition and during the concert. The audience responded with an overwhelming applause and a standing ovation,” she wrote.
“He is a brilliant performer with a great future,” she added
Galvez received a $2,000 scholarship from the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. He will represent the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza as the “Best Vocalists in the U.S. through 2014.
