TAME NEWSLETTER

Happy New Year! As we begin 2026, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the passion, dedication, and heart you continue to pour into mariachi education across Texas. What we are building together is truly special, and January marks an exciting time of growth, opportunity, and continued collaboration.

Celebrating Progress
We are incredibly proud of the success of our West Texas Region Contest. The participation, enthusiasm, and community support we witnessed reaffirm why TAME exists—to provide access, representation, and meaningful performance opportunities for all mariachi programs across our state. West Texas made history, and we are just getting started.

TAME State Judges Preference Form – Now Available
Directors interested in selecting their top five judges for State or nominating judges are encouraged to submit their form by February 1st at 11:59 PM

Area & Region Updates (How To Register)
As we move into the spring semester, please note the following important updates:

• High School Area Process:
  High school directors will register for Area through the TAME website under Forms & Registration. Varsity and JV registrations are listed as separate buttons.
  Video submissions must be uploaded to YouTube as “Unlisted,” and the link should be copied and pasted directly into the registration form.

• South Region In-Person Option:
  We are excited to offer an in-person Area option in the South Region, providing greater accessibility and flexibility for our directors and students.

• Area Submission Deadline:
  All Area registrations and video submissions are due February 7th at 11:59 PM.

DEADLINE FOR HS AREA SUBMISSIONS IS FEBRUARY 7TH, 2026 @ 11:59 PM

Central Region Update
To ensure strong participation and meaningful representation, the Central Region Contest date has been moved to April 30. Additionally, the winner of the Central Middle School Contest will earn a featured performance slot at the TAME State Conference on May 1st or May 2nd—a wonderful opportunity to showcase our youngest musicians.

Looking Ahead
TAME continues to grow because of you—your trust, your advocacy, and your belief in the power of mariachi education. From middle school programs to emerging high school ensembles, we are committed to creating pathways that honor tradition while expanding opportunity.

Please continue to check our website, newsletters, and social media platforms for updates. As always, do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns—we are here to support you every step of the way.

Thank you for continuing to make history with us. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in 2026.

With gratitude and excitement,

Velma Salas-Garcia
President
Texas Association of Mariachi Educators

JV/Non-Varsity-Area Contest Fee $250.00

MS/JH Mariachi-Area Contest Fee $250.00 (if applicable)

State Contest: Varsity Mariachi-State Contest Fee $400.00

JV/Non-Varsity-State Contest Fee $300