By Lauralee Budd
In the band room, a small group of musicians stand in front of the band director, who munches on his plate of Panda Express between directing and singing along. One girl looks at her sack lunch as the corners of her mouth tilt down and she says, 'I can''t eat and play at the same time.'
It''s lunchtime, and after a nine-month break, the Provo High mariachi band is back to work.
'It''s awesome,' said Marcus Reid, a trumpet player who helped start the group four years ago. 'Of all the groups that I''ve been in at Provo High, it''s been the most fun by far. The music has so much energy and that''s a lot of fun, especially when we play with a high-energy crowd.'
Last April, Provo High hosted the Latin Leadership Conference for the state and asked the band to play. Hispanic youth - 995 of them - from across the state of Utah responded to the allure of Utah County''s mariachi band.
'The crowd was so energized by what we were playing,' Reid said. 'It was louder then a rock concert. We couldn''t even hear ourselves play. Everyone was just screaming.'
Earlier that year, the crowd at BYU''s Cinco de Mayo festival gave a similar response.
'When they played, a louder scream was never heard,' band director Darrell Brown said. 'Not even an Elton John concert could top that.'
Brown attributed the band''s beginnings to Reynaldo Beneties, a Mexican student who played the trombone in the school band. In 2002, Beneties organized the group, and it caught fire after superior ratings at the state solo ensemble.
Band director Brown purchased a variety of music including the popular Latin pop song 'Besame Mucho' ('Kiss Me a Lot'), for the group, and acquired instruments, like the guitarron, that are traditional to mariachi bands.
In the years following its creation, the band has played for school district board meetings, events at BYU and throughout the community, and occasionally even for hire at parties. Last year, the band was hired to play at the grand opening of Utah County''s first Latino-oriented credit union.
Because the band is an extracurricular activity, the band members do not have scheduled concerts. When they have events, the group gets together during lunch or after school to practice. The nine band members - three violin players, three trumpeters, a singer, a guitarist and a guitarron player - don''t receive any credit for their efforts.
Reid said that''s why it''s so fun.
'Everyone who is in the band really wants to be there,' Reid said. 'We don''t get credit. Everyone is having fun with it and when everyone is having fun it''s just more fun for everyone.'
Reid and his band director look forward to a slew of performances after their late start. Reid said he thinks this year will be the best yet.
'We''re one of the only mariachi bands in the area; that is why we''re gaining popularity,' Reid said. 'That is causing people to be interested.'
For information about upcoming performances, students can call Darrell Brown at Provo High School at 373-6550.