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Alejandro Solis wept after the 15-year-old Roma High School accordionist learned he had won in the 16 and under category at the 16th annual Big Squeeze competition.
Texas Folklife held its annual Big Squeeze Youth Accordion Contest on Saturday at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin where musicians from across the state gathered to display their talent.
This year’s Big Squeeze contest began April 4 with the semifinals held April 23. Four Rio Grande Valley students performed their way to the finals and now two are returning home champions: Alejandro and Galilea Paz, both of Roma.
Alejandro had previously competed in the Big Squeeze in eighth grade.
As he waited for his turn to play in front of the judges in the museum’s first floor lobby Saturday, he began to feel his hands shake as he grew more and more anxious.
“Seconds before I started performing I played the song quietly so I could practice it, and I tried but my fingers wouldn’t move,” Alejandro said, adding that as he walked on stage he prayed for the best and hoped the nerves wouldn’t stop him.
For the final round, he played the songs “Picame Tarantula” and “La Peliroja.”
Although he managed to work through his anxiety he recalled leaving the stage feeling relieved but disappointed because he felt he hadn’t played to the best of his ability.
As he sat with his fellow musician awaiting the announcement of the winners, he thought back on his performance and “fully” expected other competitors, which included fellow conjunto musician Fernanda Fuentes of Roma, to win.
“They said Alejandro and my mouth opened wide …I couldn’t believe it,” Alejandro said with joy in his voice. “I started crying. It was very emotional for me.”
Alejandro wasn’t the only Valley accordionist named a winner that Saturday afternoon. His fellow musician and schoolmate Galilea won in her category.
The 17-year-old Roma High School accordionist competed in the 17-21 category against fellow Valley musician Marin Hinojosa from Palmview High School.
She recalled telling herself to focus on the music as she waited for her turn to perform. With nervous hands, she stood on stage and played “Tico Tico” as well as her own original song “Vals Imelda.”
When they announced her name during the winner’s ceremony she remembered jumping for joy as she got up to claim her prize.
“I really can’t believe I won,” Galilea said with a shaky voice. “I’m glad all my hard work and dedication has paid off.”
Galilea received a red Hohner Corona accordion and Alejandro won a white accordion of the same brand as part of their championship winnings.
