Fresh off a Spurs watch party at The Rock, a UTSA mariachi found his car broken into and his trumpet gone—sparking a community effort to help replace what was lost.
SAN ANTONIO — A night meant for celebration turned into heartbreak for a University of Texas at San Antonio mariachi musician after thieves broke into his car and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of belongings — including a trumpet he says represents years of sacrifice, growth and family support.
Anthony Alvarado, a junior civil engineering major at UTSA, returned to his car Tuesday night after a Spurs watch party at The Rock at La Cantera to find his window shattered and his belongings gone.
Alvarado had parked at the nearby Coyote Dog Park, about a 10-minute walk from the venue. When he realized what happened, police were already in the area responding to other reports. According to a police report, at least two additional thefts were reported at the same address that night.
“I opened the door … and I was like, wait, the window’s open,” Alvarado said. “I looked and I was like, ‘Oh shoot — everything’s gone.’”
Inside the car were his school essentials — a MacBook, iPad and headphones — items he relies on as finals approach next week. He said he went straight from mariachi rehearsal to the watch party and didn’t have time to drop off his belongings, so he covered everything with clothing in his back seat.
While the electronics are costly, Alvarado said the hardest loss was his trumpet — valued between $3,500 and $4,000 — a gift his parents worked hard to provide.
“It was my graduation present,” he said. “It had a lot of memories … all my failures starting out … all the way to my accomplishments.”
Alvarado, who has played trumpet since the sixth grade, said the instrument represents far more than its price tag.
“It was a whole journey with that instrument of self-discovery,” he said.
The Jarrell High School graduate, who once served as a marching band conductor in the small town north of Austin, said music has long been a part of his life. But it wasn’t until he arrived at UTSA that he was able to pursue mariachi — something he had dreamed about since childhood.
“I just never had the opportunity ’til I got here,” he said.
Now a member of UTSA’s Mariachi Los Paisanos since his freshman year, Alvarado says mariachi allows him to express himself while staying connected to his culture.
“Expressing yourself through the tradition of Mexican culture and music — it’s really beautiful,” he said.
As the first musician in his family, Alvarado said his journey is rooted in his parents’ sacrifices.
“I’m just trying to learn and create a better future for myself, especially since my family went through so much,” he said. “They come from Mexico. They’re immigrants. They didn’t have an easy life at all … they lived in the streets trying to survive. I’m part of them trying to become better.”
He added that his parents taught him the value of hard work and perseverance.
“I truly learned a lot from them — to work hard, to value the things I own and have,” he said. “It’s not something that comes handed to you.”
Despite the loss, Alvarado remains determined to continue performing. He also plays gigs outside of the university and plans to borrow a trumpet from his instructor for Mariachi Los Paisanos’ next performance on May 5.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a broken instrument, brand new — it doesn’t matter,” he said. “You can still put the same feeling into it.”
Alvarado said he attempted to track his stolen devices, but their locations have not updated. He is providing the trumpet’s serial number to police.
Additionally, he said he is thankful his engineering notes were backed up online ahead of finals next week.
A fundraiser has since been launched to help Alvarado replace his stolen instrument and other school essentials. Click here to donate.