Pacific String Project Students Collaborate with Hillsboro School District Mariachi Band

Pacific University String Project orchestra students collaborated with the Hillsboro School District Mariachi Band, Una Voz, to perform in concert in McCready Hall on Sunday, April 24. The project, titled Musical Bridge, was funded by a Pacific University Faith Gabelnick Grant, which provide for outreach projects that enrich the lives for residents in the surrounding communities. 

For the past two years, Pacific undergraduate students taught classes to Una Voz members at Hillsboro district schools. This year's concert also featured mariachi dances from Ballet Folkorica Mexico en la Piel.

Pacific’s Strings Projects provides local students in 2nd through 12th grade instruction on how to play string instruments, including the violin, viola, cello and double bass, from Pacific students who are teachers-in-preparation, and master teacher Dr. Dijana Ihas. Students receive instruction in small and large group classes, orchestras, and/or in semi-individual and individual lessons. Students receive two 50-minute classes each week for 12 weeks that enable them to progress from beginning to intermediate and advanced levels of playing.

Una Voz started in 2010 through the support of the Hillsboro School District Office of Equity. The band is open to all Hillsboro School District middle and high school students and is comprised of students from nine different schools.