SAN ANTONIO -- Thirteen-year-old Christopher Ramirez wants to keep conjunto music alive.
- Christopher Ramirez's music journey began with an accordion app
- Now participates in music competitions
- Goal is to bring attention to conjunto music
“And since I know San Antonio is the main part of tejano or norteño music - I think it’s more tejano music - I’m trying to keep it alive,” Christopher says.
He’s preserving the culture as a student at Conjunto Heritage Taller, a community-based organization aimed at teaching students traditional conjunto music.
“It’s the music that has the accordion and banjo sexto,” Christopher says. “That’s the music we try to continue on with the tradition.”
Christopher made it to the semi-finals in a state-wide accordion contest, which is called The Big Squeeze.
“I stayed at home, I did the video and first — firstly God, everything went well, thank God,” Christopher said, blessing himself.
When Christopher was 8, he downloaded an accordion app on an iPad his parents bought him. After taking classes at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center his parents surprised him with an accordion.
“[Because] everywhere I go, it was always there with me,“ Christopher said, with his hand on the accordion. “It’s like my second mother.”
His mother, Maru Ramirez, is from Monterrey, Mexico, and is glad Christopher appreciates his roots. She’s noticed how the accordion has influenced Christopher.
“He is, in reality, a very shy kid, especially in school, but performing the accordion has helped him a lot,” Ramirez says.
It’s helped become a more social person, and his talent is getting recognition.
“When I got the scholarship I could pay my classes and my parents can do other stuff,” Christopher, said. “Like clothes, shoes, food and things for the doggies.”
Christopher Ramirez plays his accordion in this image from April 2020. (Jose Arredondo/Spectrum News)
Christopher didn’t make it to the finals in The Big Squeeze’s 17 and under division. Even when Christopher does win competitions, he doesn’t like to celebrate because he doesn’t want his peers to feel like they didn’t perform well.
“Those moments make me feel proud of him, not primarily because of his accomplishments but because of his big heart,” Ramirez says.
Christopher’s faith is evident in his speech, and he just wants to pay it forward.
“I want to help others not to do bad things,” Christopher says. “Just like God helps me I want to help Him.”