Clad head to toe in their maroon charro suits, student musicians in Mariachi Anillos de Oro—or Aggieland Mariachi—perform traditional Mexican songs like “El Rey” alongside the Aggie War Hymn at concerts, competitions and social events across the state. The group first gathered in fall 2002 but gained university recognition in 2012.
“Anillos de Oro” literally translates to “gold rings,” a tribute to the recognizable campus tradition. The simple nod encapsulates the members’ mission to meld Mexican folk music and Aggie culture and make Aggieland Mariachi a longstanding tradition of its own.
Longtime Texas A&M University recruiter and academic advisor Roy Lopez ’82 oversees the group and attests to its value for all Aggies. “We have students from all over the world studying here,” he said. “It’s good to have the presence of not just Mexican culture but other cultures as well. It shows we care about our student body and where they’re from.” 
