Mariachi camp at the cathedral

What was that unlikely sound, emanating from that unlikely place? The enthusiastic first notes of some fledgling  mariachis attending music camp at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Our own Hector Becerra was there:

For three days this week, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels played host to the Mariachi USA Foundation's music camp. Most of the children already play in school bands, but many were relative novices when it came to playing music more familiar to their parents.

And the church setting wasn't as random as it may seem. More than 70% of the Los Angeles archdiocese's 5 million Catholics are Latino -- most of Mexican descent. And mariachi music has been embedded in many Catholic rituals, such as Masses for the Virgin of Guadalupe, weddings and funerals.

"This was the very first music that welcomed people here when we opened," said Deacon Manny Martinez of Our Lady of the Angels. "It wasn't sacred music. It was mariachi music."

Curious? Campers will play a concert on Sept 26. Read the rest in Hector's full story here.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times