The girls beat the drums as they march. The boys swing the bugles at their sides, also marching. At a signal from the captain, they raise them to their lips and begin to play. The group is together and sounds good.

It’s Oakland’s Banda de Guerra Mexicana “Juventud con orgullo Azteca” – “Youth with Aztec Pride” – rehearsing for Cinco de Mayo. The captain signals and the band members turn left, march in place and at another signal turn to their right. Their expressions are serious.

“Its hard to walk and play the drum at the same time,” said 18-year-old Karina Velarde, one of the band’s captains. “You learn with practice and time, little by little. First you learn how to play, then how to play and march. It depends on the boy or the girl. Some have the ability to learn in one or two months.”

They practice every Monday and Tuesday afternoon year round, except when it rains. This is their last practice before performing Sunday in the East Palo Alto Cinco de Mayo celebration where they will march for about 5 miles. After last year’s performance there, they were brought back by popular demand. They had already committed to East Palo when Oakland invited to its celebration.

In its second year, the Banda is believed to be the first in the United States. It was created by Martin Navarro, who just brought the landmark Talk of the Town Restaurant in Oakland’s Fruitvale district.

“When I came to the United States when I was 13 and saw the Mexican parades, I saw there was something missing the marching bands. I knew right away someday I would start a marching band in this country, “Navarro said, watching the young musicians with pride.

Traditionally, the bands are made up of young men and women and play for Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day on September 16, Flag Day on February 24 and Revolution Day on November 20.

Navarro tried to get financial backing from a few sources, but when he was turned down, he financed the band himself, purchasing 24 drums and 14 bugles with his credit card. He’s still paying it off.

An official from the Mexican embassy gave the band an official Mexican flag, blessed by a priest with holy water, according to tradition. Flag bearers carry both the Mexican and U.S. flags.

“It keeps the tradition alive and it keeps these kids off the streets, (from) misusing their time. They are safe here,” Navarro said.

Velarde said students have to maintain good grades to participate.

“When students see us, they want to be in it,” she said. “I dreamed of being in one of the Mexican marching bands since I was a little girl in Mexico. I didn’t have the opportunity there. I cam to the U.S. and I got the opportunity.”

Of the 25 traditional marching songs, her favorite is “Siete Golpes.”

“I like the sound, it’s strong. I love playing the drums. I love it. When I play my drum, I feel something inside of me. I can’t explain.”

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
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