Fiesta is a special time in San Antonio, and one of the events that brings downtown to life each year is the Texas Cavaliers River Parade.
In the weeks leading up to Fiesta, the city starts to build momentum. There are pre-Fiesta events across San Antonio where locals collect medals, reconnect with community, and get ready for what’s ahead. I attended one of those events hosted by the Texas State University Alumni Association and, as a proud alum, was excited to add a Texas State Fiesta medal to my collection.
During the event, we heard updates from the university and what’s happening in San Marcos. Texas State continues to grow its presence as a leading institution, and one program in particular stood out to me: Texas State Conjunto, which launched in Fall 2025 under the direction of professor, accordionist, and Grammy Award-winning producer Joel Guzmán.
The mention of a culturally rich program and what was coming is a Fiesta story that I have to share.
The ensemble was invited to perform in the 2026 Texas Cavaliers River Parade on the MTV float. For a program that is less than a year old, this is a major moment for both the students and the university.
Because of space limitations on the river barges, the performing group was set to be a four-piece ensemble: Jorge Dovalina (vocals), Mario Gonzales (bass), Jose de Hoyos (drums and sound technician), and Amado Sanchez Hernandez (accordion). Together, they prepared a 20-song set featuring classics ranging from “Juana La Cubana” to “Volver, Volver” and other foundational conjunto songs.
Update (April 20): Due to rainy conditions, the Texas Cavaliers River Parade has been canceled. As a result, TXST Conjunto will not perform as scheduled.
Even so, the moment still stands. For a program that launched less than a year ago, being invited to one of San Antonio’s most visible stages speaks to the talent of the students and the intention behind the program. The preparation, the discipline, and the commitment to the music don’t disappear with the rain.
A week before the parade, I spoke with Guzmán about building the program, preparing students for a stage like this, and why he’s committed to preserving the roots of conjunto music.
This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and flow.
Interview with Texas State Professor, Accordionist and Grammy award winning producer Joel Guzmán
Melanie: Hi Joel, this is Melanie. Nice to meet you. Thanks for taking the time.
Joel: Nice to meet you too. I really appreciate what you’re doing. Your platform feels very connected to industry, education, and culture.
Melanie: I appreciate that. I wanted to talk to you about the conjunto ensemble at Texas State and your upcoming performance in the river parade.
On the Texas State conjunto program
M: I saw that the program is new. Tell me about that.
J: We just started in Fall 2025. When I came on board, I told them, give me six weeks and we’ll have a conjunto. And we did. The students were ready. They had the spirit.
What people will see is an ensemble that feels experienced. They won’t know this is only their first or second semester. And that’s how it should be. The school is very well represented.
On being selected for the Fiesta river parade
M: What was your reaction when you were told the group would be in the river parade?
J: At first, I didn’t even connect it to Fiesta. As a touring musician, you don’t always plug into local events like that. But when I realized what it was, I thought, this is a great opportunity. It’s a chance for Texas State to show San Antonio that we’re part of this culture, that we’re serious about conjunto.
On preparing students for a major performance
M: What has preparation looked like for something like this?
J: I had to prepare them to operate independently. I won’t be on the boat with them, so they have to run the show themselves. They’re playing on a moving boat, managing sound, performing for an hour and a half. That takes real preparation. The audience won’t see that work, but they’ll see the result.
On the students
M: Tell me about the students and what this experience means for them.
J: A lot of them are from San Antonio. Some understand Fiesta, some don’t fully realize how big this is yet. But I trust them. They’re talented and they support each other. There’s a real sense of family in the program, and that makes a difference.
On the sound of the performance
M: How would you describe what people will hear?
J: They’re going to hear authentic conjunto. The roots. The original style. We’re not doing progressive norteño or Tejano with keyboards. This is stripped down. Accordion, bass, drums, voice. The foundation. It’s like asking how you describe the blues. You just feel it.
On why he teaches traditional conjunto
M: Why was it important to focus on that traditional sound?
J: Because it’s the foundation. If you study the masters, you can branch out into anything—Tejano, norteño, other styles. If you skip that, you lose something. I see it as a responsibility. You don’t want to misguide a whole generation. If you want to learn classical music, you study Beethoven and Mozart. If you want to learn conjunto, you study the masters.
On his role as an educator
M: You’ve had such a long career. What brought you into teaching?
J: It’s a passion. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. Touring, producing, performing. But now, it’s about giving back. Teaching the culture, the music, the language. Working with young people. I see it as my duty to act as a bridge between the past and the future.
On the significance of this moment
M: This feels like a big moment. A conjunto group from Texas State on a major Fiesta stage.
J: It is. And hopefully it sets the tone for more opportunities like this. Bigger stages, more visibility. That’s the goal.
Even without the historic performance taking place, that idea remains. The work continues, the students keep learning, and the music carries forward—on stage or not. This is what it looks like to carry nuestra cultura forward.
Learn more about TXST Conjunto on the Texas State School of Music website.
Fiesta-goers can still see TXST at Fiesta in the Battle of Flowers parade on Friday, April 23. Look for the States Up balloon!
