Leah Feliz, left, and Gilbert Saldana of the Godinez Fundamental High School Mariachi Osos de Oro, sing a duet during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Valley High School Mariachi del Rio performs during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kal-El Oquendo of the Century High School Mariachi Real del Siglo sings during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Santa High School Mariachi Los Santos performs during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Athena Dorado sings with the Carr Intermediate School Mariachi Los Astros, during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kal-El Oquendo of the Century High School Mariachi Real del Siglo sings during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Lydia Romero-Cruz Academy Mariachi Los Pumas performs during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of all six mariachi bands perform for the finale during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Santa High School Mariachi Los Santos performs during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Carr Intermediate School Mariachi Los Astros watch other performances before they take the stage during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Leah Feliz, left, and Gilbert Saldana of the Godinez Fundamental High School Mariachi Osos de Oro, sing a duet during the Santa Ana Unified School District’s El Grito Mariachi Festival in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dressed in formal suits in rich jewel tones and deep black, elaborately embroidered with gold and silver, these mariachi bands had the look and the sound of seasoned professionals.
And they entertained the packed auditorium like professionals.
Six bands from Santa Ana Unified School District campuses participated in the Wednesday night Mariachi Festival, a free community concert held in the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High. This was the event’s third year.
