SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The next generation of Tejano music will take center stage at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) as Sonido Tejano prepares for its first fall recital, a free public performance celebrating the music, culture and traditions that have shaped generations of Tejano artists.
Scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the UT San Antonio Recital Hall on the university’s Main Campus, the concert will showcase the talents of students who have spent the semester studying and performing Tejano and Conjunto music under the direction of legendary Tejano singer Shelly Lares and co-director Michael Acevedo.
Presented by the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts and School of Music, the recital offers the community an opportunity to experience a groundbreaking educational program dedicated to preserving Tejano music while introducing its rich musical traditions to a new generation.
Admission is free and open to the public.
A Groundbreaking Program for Tejano Music
Sonido Tejano made history as the first collegiate Tejano music ensemble at the UTSA School of Music. Launched as a credit-bearing course within the university’s curriculum, the program provides students with an opportunity to develop their musicianship while studying the history, styles and cultural significance of Tejano music.
The ensemble brings together 14 student musicians representing a wide range of instruments, including accordion, bajo sexto, drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and percussion instruments such as congas and timbales.
Under the guidance of Lares and Acevedo, students explore the diversity of the genre, from traditional, accordion-driven Conjunto to orchestral Orquesta arrangements and modern, keyboard-driven Tejano sounds.
Their studies also include music associated with influential artists and groups such as Ram Herrera, La Mafia, Emilio Navaira, and Jay Perez. The current semester additionally incorporates original music from Los Heartbreakers, a band featuring one of the ensemble’s own student musicians.
The program provides a space where Tejano music is not only performed but also studied as an important part of Texas and Mexican-American cultural heritage.
Shelly Lares Celebrates Her Students’ Progress
Lares, affectionately known to fans as “Little Miss Dynamite,” has encouraged the Tejano community to support the students as they prepare for this milestone performance.
In a social media post accompanying a video from a recent rehearsal, Lares expressed pride in the students’ dedication and enthusiasm.
“The excitement is building, and I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication these talented students are putting in!” Lares shared. “And as you can tell, WE HAVE FUN IN CLASS TOO!”
She emphasized that the learning experience extends beyond rehearsing songs, allowing students to build relationships, develop their musical abilities and enjoy the process of creating music together.
“There’s nothing better than learning, laughing, making music, and enjoying the journey together!” she added.
For Lares, the upcoming recital represents something bigger than a traditional end-of-semester performance.
“This is more than a recital. It’s about preserving our genre, passing the torch, and giving the next generation an opportunity to shine!” she said.
In another video invitation, Lares encouraged families, music fans and supporters of the genre to attend the performance and witness the students’ progress firsthand.
She noted that the ensemble has selected a collection of Tejano and Conjunto music for the evening, promising an energetic celebration of the sounds that continue to connect generations.
Lares also highlighted the significance of performing on the university’s Main Campus for this first fall recital, describing the students as talented musicians whose hard work deserves recognition and community support.
Preserving Tejano Music Through Education
The Sonido Tejano program reflects a growing effort to recognize Tejano music not only as a popular musical tradition but also as a discipline worthy of formal study at the university level.
By bringing together traditional instrumentation, contemporary arrangements and the music of influential artists, the ensemble gives students an opportunity to understand the genre’s evolution while developing the skills needed to carry it forward.
The combination of academic instruction and live performance also creates an opportunity for students to explore how Tejano and Conjunto music have evolved across generations, from traditional border sounds to the progressive styles heard throughout Texas and beyond.
With Lares’ experience as a celebrated performer and Acevedo’s leadership as a professor and ensemble director, students receive guidance that connects the classroom with the musical traditions they are learning to preserve.
The Oct. 26 recital will put that work on display, giving the community an opportunity to support emerging musicians and celebrate the future of Tejano music.
Event Details
Una Noche con Sonido Tejano — Fall Recital
- Date: Monday, Oct. 26, 2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Location: UT San Antonio Recital Hall, Main Campus
- Admission: Free and open to the public
- Directors: Shelly Lares and Michael Acevedo
Community members, families, students, alumni and Tejano music supporters are encouraged to attend.
For updates, follow Sonido Tejano on Instagram and TikTok at @sonidotejano.
As the students prepare to take the stage, the message behind Sonido Tejano remains clear: preserving the legacy, educating the next generation and keeping Tejano music moving forward.
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