2025 El Mariachi Canta Vocal Competition

Submission (Round 1) Guidelines

• 2026 video submission due date TBD
• Three categories: Grades 3-8, Grades 9-12 and Open Community (Post high school and older)
• Grades 3-12 contestants submitting for the vocal contest MUST BE paid registrants of the 2026 Tucson International Mariachi Conference PRIOR to submission. Open Community guest – TIMC registration is not required.
• Open Community contestants must be available to compete for live performance in Tucson, AZ on TBA (if selected).  TIMC registration not required
• Contestants must submit ONE standard mariachi song from the following categories:
  • Son
  • Huapango
  • Ranchero
  • Bolero
• Upload videos and send to elmariachicantatimc@gmail.com.
  IMPORTANT: record video (using phone or camera); upload to YOUR personal YouTube channel; make the video as ‘Unlisted – anyone with link can view’ so that it’s not public; copy link and e-mail to elmariachicantatimc@gmail.com.
• Limit of 4 minutes per song
• NO KEY CHANGES after submission. Contestants must sing in the same key as submitted entry.
• Potpourris excluded from submission
• El Mariachi Canta competitors selected remotely by panel of judges

Finalists

Finalist selection will be awarded from the video submissions and announced on 2026 date TBD.  Each category will have 3 finalists that will compete live on stage Wednesday, April 29th 2026.  Awarded finalist will perform the same song submitted and a scheduled rehearsal will be set for all finalists in Tucson. Each winner of the three categories (Grades 3 – 8, Grades 9 – 12 and Open Community) will also be a featured performer on Saturday May 2nd 2026 at the Garibaldi Showcase.

Final Round will be held on Wednesday, April 29th 2026 at the MSA Annex: 267 S. Avenida del Convento, at 6pm.