Rio Grande City Grulla ISD is bringing back its conjunto music program full time starting in the next school year.

The program first launched in 2012 but stopped in 2021 when the pandemic moved learning online. This year, the district brought it back as a trial class at both Grulla High School and Rio Grande High School.

About 40 students are now enrolled in the program across both campuses. Because of strong student interest, the district decided to make the program permanent next school year.

Leading the program is Eligio Salinas Jr., a Grammy Award-winning accordionist and former member of Grupo Solido. He returned to his hometown to teach the next generation of conjunto musicians.

"Knowing that we could bring this up in our district, too, well, you've got to teach the students our traditions from deep South Texas," Salinas Jr. said. "I come in to teach them the polka, huapangos and songs that basically make up conjunto music."

Salinas said the work means more than just music instruction.

"Keeping this music alive is important for this part of the area," Salinas said.

Freddi Martinez, an upcoming senior at Grulla High School, spent this year learning the bass while also working on his accordion skills.

"It's been very fun learning new instruments; it's a very nice experience," Martinez said. "I hope I can learn a lot more songs, and get better at the accordion," he said.

Gerardo Garza, an upcoming junior at Rio Grande High School, said he signed up as soon as he heard the program was back.

He is currently learning both the bajo quinto and four-string bass and said the program connected him to music he had always loved.

"I've always listened to tejanito, conjunto, but I never found a teacher. And once I found Mr. Eligio, I don't know, it just clicked in. I felt really comfortable in the class and just learning the instrument brought me a really good time," Garza said.

The district hopes to eventually have students perform at community events and future conjunto competitions.

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