Academic Enrichment Grant 2026-2027 Project Summary

Garrett Spalka

Granger High School • West Valley City, Utah

Granger High School is establishing a permanent, portable sound system to support its mariachi program and the continued growth of mariachi programs across the state of Utah. Mariachi education is expanding rapidly in Utah, and Granger High School serves as the perpetual host of the Utah State Mariachi Festival—providing students statewide with opportunities to perform, receive feedback, participate in clinics, and engage in culturally sustaining music education experiences otherwise unavailable to them. Authentic mariachi requires specialized amplification to balance traditional stringed instruments, brass, and vocals, but high equipment rental fees currently divert resources away from students in lower-income communities. By acquiring dedicated speakers, mixing consoles, and a full microphone package over two years, this project eliminates recurring outsourcing costs to create a sustainable, festival-ready infrastructure. Serving Granger’s highly diverse student body, where roughly 70% come from low-income households, as well as hundreds of participating students across Utah, this shared resource ensures equitable access to culturally sustaining music education. Beyond live performances, clinics, and student training in sound management, the system will produce shareable digital recordings and media that celebrate student achievement, affirm cultural identity, and foster community pride statewide.

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