Conjunto in the Classroom

Abstract

www.mej.sagepub.com With the evening engulfed in the Texas heat, the arena was filled with the scents of fajitas and tortillas. It was enveloped by the sounds of the dancer's feet shuffling side to side; the musicians playing accordion, guitars, and drums; and with singing, laughter, applause, and gritos (loud shouts and hollers) made by the audience, which included family and friends visiting and reconnecting. Near the stage, a crowd of Tejanos' stood singing, moving, and listening to the conjunto group housed in an outdoor arena. In the arena, an expansive dance floor contained couples of all ages shuffling and gliding side to side to the music. They were spinning and twirling each other to the music as they all flowed seamlessly in a community circle that was propelled by the musical performance. Juan Tejeda and Avelardo Valdez described a similar conjunto event:2