New ITC Exhibition ‘Puro Conjunto: Border(less) Sound’ Celebrates the Music and Culture of South Texas

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The rich history, cultural traditions, and lasting influence of conjunto music take center stage this summer as the UT San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) unveiled its newest exhibition, “Puro Conjunto: Border(less) Sound,” this week.

The immersive exhibition explores the roots and evolution of one of Texas’ most iconic musical traditions, highlighting the artists, instruments, stories, and communities that have shaped conjunto music across South Texas and beyond. The exhibit will remain on display through May 30, 2027.

“This exhibit celebrates the enduring vitality of Conjunto as both a musical tradition and a layered, living cultural archive,” said Bianca Alvarez, head curator at the Institute of Texan Cultures. “At its core, ‘Puro Conjunto’ is about community — about the rhythm of everyday life, memory, and celebration. It invites audiences to experience the genre as a powerful expression of identity and belonging by acknowledging the artists, instruments, and stories that keep Conjunto vibrant and relevant today.”

Visitors will experience a dynamic blend of rare artifacts, music, storytelling, and interactive elements designed to bring conjunto culture to life. Among the exhibition’s highlights are Bruno Villarreal’s accordion, a signed bajo sexto featuring signatures from Flaco Jiménez, Augie Meyers, and Max Baca, and a performance dress worn by legendary singer Lydia Mendoza.

The exhibition also features a listening lounge, dance floor, and hands-on musical instrument station, giving guests the opportunity to engage directly with the sounds that have filled dance halls, family celebrations, and neighborhood gatherings for generations.

“Puro Conjunto” reflects the Institute of Texan Cultures’ ongoing mission to preserve and celebrate the diverse communities that define Texas. The project was developed through collaborations with music historians, families, archives, and cultural organizations dedicated to preserving the state’s musical heritage.

“This exhibit is a shining example of how the ITC collaborates with our many university and community partners,” said Monica Perales, Ph.D., associate vice provost for the Institute of Texan Cultures. “By bringing together archives, music and storytelling, we’re creating an experience that connects people to the cultural history of Texas.”

Several key artifacts were sourced through partnerships with organizations such as the Texas Music Museum in Austin. Some pieces on display have not left the museum’s collection in more than four decades, offering visitors a rare opportunity to view important items tied to the development of Texas music history.

Additional exhibition highlights include a 1938 record-cutting machine from Ideal Records, historic photographs from the UTSA Libraries Special Collections, and interactive multimedia displays that explore how conjunto music has connected communities across borders and generations.

Born from a blend of German and Eastern European dance music traditions and transformed through the experiences of Tejano communities drawing from Indigenous, Spanish, and Mexican influences, conjunto has become one of Texas’ most distinctive cultural expressions. The exhibition traces that evolution while celebrating San Antonio and South Texas as the heart of the genre, where family-owned record labels, neighborhood clubs, festivals, school programs, and backyard gatherings have sustained and reimagined the music for new generations.

For longtime fans and newcomers, “Puro Conjunto: Border(less) Sound” offers an opportunity to explore the stories behind the music and honor the cultural legacy that continues to shape Texas today.

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