VOA标准英语2014--Mariachi Music Gains Popularity Across Ethnic Lines 墨西哥流浪乐队音乐跨越种族获得了声望

 

Mariachi Music Gains Popularity Across Ethnic¹ Lines 墨西哥流浪乐队音乐跨越种族获得了声望

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Among Mexican-Americans in the United States, mariachi music has maintained its popularity for more than a century, especially in states that border Mexico, like Texas.  But there are now mariachi groups in all parts of the United States and in some European and Asian nations as well. 

Mariachi music has long been popular with San Antonio's large Mexican-American population.

But among the young people performing at this event was 12-year-old Anani Rhames, an African-American girl who fell in love with the songs she heard in Mexican restaurants and on local radio stations.

"I like 'Las Margaritas,' which is about daisies and I like 'El Pastor,' which is about a shepherd," she said.

Anani can relate to rural themes because she lives on a ranch² and sometimes sings to her horses.

"You can actually connect with them. You can build a bond with them," she said. "When they hear you their ears kind of perk³ up and they are like [it is as if they were saying] 'hmmm, interesting."

Anani's mother, Chiquella Tippens-Rhames, said some black friends and relatives were at first puzzled by her daughter's singing. 

“The first response was that this tremendous gift that she has should be celebrated⁴ with our own culture and music and I reassured⁵ them that she is doing that as well, but this is her passion,” she explained.

Concert producer Cynthia Munoz said Anani Rhames demonstrates the diverse appeal of mariachi music.

"She feels this very strong connection and love for the music and it sends a very powerful message to our entire community that this music is truly international," she said.

Another example of mariachi diversity is singer William Carlton Wayne Galvez, who describes himself as one-third Mexican, one-third Anglo and one-third African American.  He says the music reflects it all.

"It is a combination of everything. I believe it is the melting pot of the world, music-wise," he said.

Singers are front and center at mariachi concerts, telling tales of love and adventure in Spanish, backed by guitars, violins and horns that provide a complex melodic⁶ texture⁷.

Classically-trained violinist Martin Cantu plays with the group Mariachi Aztlan.

"I study music, which is classical, and then I do mariachi and then I do outside gigs [performances] playing pop music," he said.

The state of Texas has helped aspiring⁸ mariachi musicians through programs in public schools and state colleges that provide training and a chance to perform in concerts. 

1 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

2 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

3 perk   

n.额外津贴；赏钱；小费；

参考例句：

• His perks include a car provided by the firm.他的额外津贴包括公司提供的一辆汽车。
• And the money is,of course,a perk.当然钱是额外津贴。

4 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

5 reassured   

adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The captain's confidence during the storm reassured the passengers. 在风暴中船长的信念使旅客们恢复了信心。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The doctor reassured the old lady. 医生叫那位老妇人放心。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 melodic   

adj.有旋律的，调子美妙的

参考例句：

• His voice had a rich melodic quality.他的音色浑厚而优美。
• He spoke with a soft husky voice in a melodic accent.他微微沙哑的声音带着一种悠扬的口音。

7 texture   

n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理

参考例句：

• We could feel the smooth texture of silk.我们能感觉出丝绸的光滑质地。
• Her skin has a fine texture.她的皮肤细腻。

8 aspiring   

adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求

参考例句：

• Aspiring musicians need hours of practice every day. 想当音乐家就要每天练许多小时。
• He came from an aspiring working-class background. 他出身于有抱负的工人阶级家庭。 来自辞典例句