Conjunto Halcón Founder Longoria Featured in Magazine

Juan Longoria Jr., who founded the Los Fresnos High School Conjunto program, has been recognized in the September issue of Texas Highways magazine.

Longoria is one of seven people featured in this year’s lineup of Extraordinary Texans. A photo of Longoria with students and a story is featured in the magazine.

Longoria is in his third year leading students in the accordion program. The Conjunto Halcón is made up of students who perform at school and community events.

Excerpts from the story include:

“Through music, Juan Longoria Jr. is changing high school kids’ lives along the Texas/Mexico border. As the founder of the Los Fresnos High School Conjunto program, the award-winning accordion player is motivating students to work hard, stay in school, and strive for their dreams, simply by teaching them to play the music that is an integral part of their cross-cultural identity.”

“Longoria, who learned to play the accordion from his father and has now passed it on to his own son, says the conjunto music is a deeply rooted in both who he is and life along the border. ‘Since my first talent show in elementary school, this music has followed me. Whenever folks are getting together, it’s always ‘Hey Longoria bring your accordion!” It’s part of the culture here.’ “

“When Longoria, who also plays in the popular conjoint band Conteño, pitched the idea for a conjoint program to the administration at Los Fresnos High School in 2011, Principal Ronnie Rodriguez loved the idea and got on board to make it happen. ‘Now,’ says Longoria, “teachers from other schools tell me, ‘I wish we have had a program like this.’ “