KHS America
Alianza Académica Virtual Festival
The KHS America Alianza Académica Virtual Festival celebrates and supports schools across the United States as they showcase their Latin music ensembles. This free, virtual event provides schools with expert feedback from renowned educators and rewards top-performing groups with high-quality instruments. By eliminating travel expenses and simplifying the competition process, the festival empowers schools to focus on delivering an exceptional experience for their students without the hassle or added costs.
How Does It Work?
Contest Details
Eligibility: The Alianza Académica Virtual Festival is open to all K-12 Public and Private Schools in the United States.
Ways to Enter: There will be 3 Categories in which to enter:
- Middle School Mariachi (open to students up to grade 8)
- High School Mariachi (open to students grades 9-12)
- Conjunto/Regional Mexican/Open (open to students up to grade 12)
Submission Period: March 10, 2025 – April 15, 2025
Submission Criteria: Ensembles are required to submit a video performance from the 2024-2025 Academic Year, no longer than 5 minutes, in the style of their selected category, in either .mp4 or .mov format. There is no limit on the number of songs performed, provided the total duration does not exceed 5 minutes. Judging will be conducted using a rubric that assesses musical technique, musicality, ensemble performance, and presentation.
*Please note: only one submission is allowed per performing group. A school may enter more than once if the school has more than one performing ensemble. Schools may enter the same category more than once if students are not duplicated between ensembles.
Contest Prizes
Middle School Mariachi
- 1st Place: Jupiter Trumpet w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Vihuela w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Guitar w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Guitarrón w/ Hercules Stand, 4 Hercules Music Stands, 4 Hercules Microphone Stands, 4 Hercules Accessory Trays, and 4 Hercules Device Holders
- 2nd Place: Jupiter Trumpet w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Vihuela w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Guitar w/ Hercules Stand, 3 Hercules Music Stands, 3 Hercules Microphone Stands, 3 Hercules Accessory Trays, and 3 Hercules Device Holders
- 3rd Place: H. Jimenez Vihuela w/ Hercules Stand, a Hercules Music Stand, a Hercules Microphone Stand, a Hercules Accessory Tray, and a Hercules Device Holder
High School Mariachi
- 1st Place: FREE Group Registration (up to 16 students) for the 31st Annual Mariachi Extravaganza in San Antonio, TX, XO Trumpet w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Vihuela w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Guitar w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Guitarrón w/ Hercules Stand, 4 Hercules Music Stands, 4 Hercules Microphone Stands, 4 Hercules Accessory Trays, and 4 Hercules Device Holders
- 2nd Place: Jupiter Trumpet w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Vihuela w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Guitar w/ Hercules Stand, 3 Hercules Music Stands, 3 Hercules Microphone Stands, 3 Hercules Accessory Trays, and 3 Hercules Device Holders
- 3rd Place: H. Jimenez Vihuela w/ Hercules Stand, a Hercules Music Stand, a Hercules Microphone Stand, a Hercules Accessory Tray, and a Hercules Device Holder
Conjunto/Regional Mexican/Open
- 1st Place: Hohner Corona C-II Accordion w/ Nomad Stand, H. Jimenez Bajo Quinto w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Bass Guitar w/ Hercules Stand, Mapex Armory Drum Set w/ Hardware Package and Throne
- 2nd Place: Hohner Corona II Accordion w/ Nomad Stand, H. Jimenez Bajo Quinto w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Bass Guitar w/ Hercules Stand, Mapex Mars Birch Drum Set with Hardware Package and Throne
- 3rd Place: Hohner Panther Accordion w/ Nomad Stand, H. Jimenez Bajo Quinto w/ Hercules Stand, H. Jimenez Bass Guitar w/ Hercules Stand
You can view the complete list of Official Rules and prize model numbers by clicking here.
Contest Sponsors
How Do I Enter?
Record Your Ensemble
Create a video of your school’s ensemble performing up to 5 minutes worth of music to be judged.
Collect waivers for all directors and participating students
All directors and students performing in your virtual festival video must have a signed waiver submitted for your ensemble to qualify for judging. Waivers can be uploaded as one file or uploaded separately.
Submit Your Ensemble's Performance
Complete an entry form below and select which category (Middle School Mariachi, High School Mariachi, or Conjunto/Regional Mexican/Open) you wish to enter.
Receive Feedback From Renown Educators
Receive feedback for your ensemble’s performance from a group of renowned artists and respected educators in the Mariachi and Conjunto/Regional Mexican genres.
Winners will be announced in early May 2025.
Alianza Académica Virtual Festival Entry Form
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED STARTING MARCH 10, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
See if your question is answered here.
How much does it cost to enter?
There are no fees to enter the Alianza Académica Virtual Festival.
When is the submission period?
Submissions will be accepted between March 10, 2025 and April 15, 2025.
When will winners be announced?
Winners will be announced in early May 2025.
What are the Official Rules of this contest?
Can I submit an audio file instead of a video file?
No, submissions must be in the form of a .mp4 or .mov video file that is shorter than 5 minutes in length to qualify.
How many songs am I allowed to submit?
You are not limited to a specific number of songs, but to a length of video. You may play as many songs as you can fit into a 5 minute video. Videos longer than 5 minutes will not be accepted.
My Mariachi program contains middle and high school students. Which category should I enter?
Schools should enter the category that includes the oldest member’s grade level. If a Mariachi program includes any high school students, they should enter the High School Mariachi category.
My school has a Mariachi and a Conjunto program. Can we enter in both categories?
Yes! You may enter both categories.
My school has more than one Mariachi/Conjunto group. Can both of my groups enter?
Yes! You may enter both groups as long as students are not performing in both groups.
What is the KHS America Alianza Académica?
The KHS America Alianza Académica is aimed at supporting and expanding music education programs that focus on traditional Latino music styles such as Mariachi, Conjunto, and Norteño in U.S. schools. The Alianza Académica leverages the combined strength of KHS America brands, including Hohner, H. Jimenez, Hercules, Jupiter, XO, and others to provide resources and validation for existing programs while empowering new ones. By partnering with schools, artists, and dealers, the program strives to strengthen the connection between Latino musical heritage and the next generation of musicians. Participating schools will gain access to benefits intended to enhance the student experience, promote program growth, and bring attention to the great work that you do. Such benefits include curriculum resources, purchase rewards, artist or clinician appearances and national exposure for member programs.
Click here to learn more about the KHS America Alianza Académica.
Do I need to be a member of the Alianza Académica to participate?
Membership in the Alianza Académica is not required for this contest, but signing up for Plata level is free and easy. Click here to learn more about this program.
Still Have Questions?
Email us and see what we can do for you!
