Concert and Workshop: Traditional Mexican Music

11/18/2025

On Friday, 28 November 2025, the Ethnomusicology Program at the University of Würzburg is offering a concert followed by a workshop on music and dance from Mexico.

Mexican music and dance — first in concert, then hands-on. Visitors can experience this on 28 November at the Residenz. (Image: Juniper Hill)

The event centres around a concert by the Tonalli ensemble, which was founded in Vienna in 2023. Admission is free for all interested parties and registration is not necessary.

The name Tonalli comes from the Nahuatl language and means “the warmth and light of the sun.” For this concert, the ensemble will perform a selection of son jarocho and son huasteco pieces—musical genres that continue to flourish today, with origins in the blending of Indigenous, Spanish, and African influences during the colonial period. Tonalli will incorporate traditional dance and perform on traditional instruments—such as the jarana jarocha, jarana huasteca, quinta huapanguera, violin, and leona—creating a vibrant musical experience that celebrates Mexico’s cultural diversity.

Tonalli is made up of the following members: Violeta Valadez Rocha (Mexico), Beata Atlas (Poland) and Luis Alejandro Villanueva (Mexico)

Music and Dance to Join in

After the concert, the members of Tonalli will offer a workshop on son jarocho dance and music. No prior experience is required. Since only a limited number of jaranas jarochas (guitar-like string instruments of various sizes) will be available, participants are encouraged to bring a string instrument of their choice—preferably from the guitar family—or simply join the collective dance session (zapateado jarocho). The workshop will conclude with a joint performance by Tonalli and the participants, playing some of the pieces learned and recreating the festive spirit of a traditional Mexican music and dance celebration: the fandango jarocho.