Acute Need for Mexican and Latinx Representation in US Music Programs

• Currently, 28% of the school-aged population in the US is Latinx.
  • over 50% of that number is projected to be Mexican/Mexican-American
  • By comparison, 15% of the school aged population is Black.
• By 2050, over 50% of the school-aged population in the US will be Hispanic (US Census, Pew Research)
  • Already, over 40% of the school aged population is Latinx in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California. 
  • Immigrant populations in the US are increasingly interested in preserving cultural identity rather than assimilating. 
• Currently, there is little to no authentic repertoire for Wind Bands by Mexican composers. 

Potential Scope and Quality of Repertoire from Mexico

• Mexico City is the largest city in the western hemisphere, 5th largest in the world. 
  • Population 22,085,00
• Mexico City has 7 professional orchestras and thriving art and culture scene. 
• There is a huge population of and limited opportunity for young composers. These composers would otherwise have no reason to write for wind band.
  • Wind Bands are not a standardized ensemble in Mexico
  • In music school/conservatory in Mexico, a composition student does not learn how to write for wind band and would never be expected to. 
• This is not an imperialist agenda. We are bringing opportunity to Mexican composers and repertoire to our community. We are not attempting to force North-American style wind bands on Mexico.