El Conjunto Aztlan was formed in the late sixties under the sponsorship of the Chicana/o Studies Department at CSUN. The Conjunto was initially part of a larger student performing group that included El Teatro Aztlan, a student drama troupe. Originally, the instrument ensemble included guitar, guitarrón, vihuela, and requinto. While their early performances mostly took place on campus for student gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, and classroom presentations, they would eventually perform for many community events and organizations. In 1973, the Conjunto incorporated violins and trumpets and became known as El Mariachi Aztlan.