Mariachi instructor Tristan Broeker guides students in the musical art of mariachi Tuesday at Larsen Middle School in Elgin. November 27, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Students in the school mariachi band rehearse Tuesday at Larsen Middle School in Elgin. There is a nationwide trend of school mariachi bands and there was a documentary about it on PBS called Mariachi High. . November 27, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Student Israel Rodriguez practices chords mariachi style Tuesday at Larsen Middle School during mariachi band practice. November 27, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Mariachi teacher Jaimie Giraldo helps Jasmine Melo Ignacio with finger placement during mariachi rehearsal Tuesday at Larsen Middle School in Elgin. November 27, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

A student is assisted on finger placement for playing the right chords during mariachi rehearsal Tuesday at Larsen Middle School in Elgin. November 27, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Student Israel Rodriguez takes a time out from rehearsal to retreive his guitar pick from inside the guitar Tuesday during mariachi practice at Larsen Middle School in Elgin. November 27, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Students Raymundo Hernandez (from left) Baltazar Perez Garcia and Mark Rodriguez work the strings on their guitars during mariachi band rehearsal Tuesday at Larsen Middle School in Elgin. There is a nationwide trend of students joining school mariachi bands. November 27, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Juan Flores practices with the Kimball Middle School mariachi band after school in Elgin Thursday. November 15, 2012. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media

Antonio Vasquez warms up with a guitarron before mariachi band practice after school at Kimball Middle School in Elgin Thursday. November 15, 2012. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media

Jocelyn Almazo, plays a vihuela during Kimball Middle School Mariachi band practice after school in Elgin Thursday. November 15, 2012. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media

Jasmine Corona, right, and Paulina Hernandez practice with the Kimball Middle School mariachi band after school in Elgin Thursday. November 15, 2012. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media

Marisol Acuna helps Paulina Hernandez with her cords during Kimball Middle School Mariachi band after school in Elgin Thursday. November 15, 2012. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media

Mark Hutson, right, plays along and keeps an eye on students as the Kimball Middle School Mariachi band practices after school in Elgin Thursday. November 15, 2012. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media