Patsy Torres receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Mariachi Corazón De San Antonio

Dr. Patsy Torres received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Mariachi Corazón De San Antonio for her community work and dedication to the arts in San Antonio.

The ceremony took place during the fourth annual Mariachi De Corazón Festival and High School Group and All-Star Competition at Main Plaza in downtown San Antonio on Saturday, October 31, 2015.

“I am so honored and humbled to receive this award, but I would just like to say that I feel I have a lot more life to give,” the legendary singer said in a recent interview. “I will continue to promote our heritage and music and work with youth to further their talents and education.”

The Main Plaza Conservancy presents the award and competition annually for San Antonio’s high schools to compete for the title and cash prize of $1,500. From these high schools are selected all-stars that become Mariachi Corazón De San Antonio, recognized this year with two pinnacle awards and showcased in Topeka, Kansas.

TejanoNation contributor Lori Alba spoke with Dr. Torres about her Lifetime Achievement Award and the full interview is below.

Lori: Hello Dr. Patsy Torres! I am excited to interview you about your latest award you received this past October31, 2015. Please tell us about it.

Dr. Torres: First of all, I want to thank you for taking the time to interview me! Of course I am honored to receive the CORAZON DE SAN ANTONIO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2015. The incredible Vikki Carr received the award last year. CORAZON DE SAN ANTONIO promotes mariachi music in the high schools and emphasizes discipline and respect for our culture and values. They are a wonderful organization that truly encourages students to learn more about their roots and demonstrate their talents in mariachi music. I was so surprised when they informed me that I had been selected!

Lori: How did they select you?

Dr. Torres: They have an advisory board that nominated me based on my community work and my dedication to the arts in San Antonio, especially involving the youth and Hispanic culture. Also because I expose mariachi music to the general public and other cultures. I performed mariachi music in China as an ambassador representing the state of Texas. The Chinese people loved it!

Lori: Awesome! Why mariachi music?

Dr. Torres: Because mariachi music shows the very soul of Mexican heritage. It goes way back before there was electricity for instruments. It was used to tell stories, entertain, serenade, and even teach history. I love to sing mariachi music. When I put on my traje, I feel like I’m wearing my “cultural armor”. My father is Mexican and came to the US when he was a teenager. I feel that I honor him and my grandparents, and all my ancestors when I perform it. I was proud to sing with the mariachis of CORAZON DE SAN ANTONIO the night I received the award. Anyone with Mexican roots should feel a sense of pride when they hear mariachi music. But I am also proud to expose our culture to other cultures.

Lori: Which song did you sing?

Dr. Torres: One of my favorites… “Cucurucucu Paloma.” The people really loved it especially because I set it up as a story about a man that died and then was haunting everyone (laughs). After all, it was Halloween!

Lori: That’s right! I guess this is one Halloween you won’t forget.

Dr. Torres: Definitely. I got a real “treat”!

Lori: So what’s going on now?

Dr. Torres: I’m still traveling, performing, promoting my latest Cd, Mi Inspiracion and writing new material.

Lori: Where can we find your music?

Dr. Torres: ITUNES, CDBaby.com, http://www.patsytorres.com, local record shops like Janie’s Record Shop in San Antonio TX, and select Walmarts.

Lori: Is there anything you’d like to say?

Dr. Torres: Well, again, I am so honored and humbled to receive this award, but I would just like to say that I feel I have a lot more life to give. And as long as I do, I will continue to promote our heritage and music and work with youth to further their talents and education. I will always strive to do my very best, and let God do the rest.