The City Council announces the sixth edition of the Young Performers Competition ‘Ciudad de Estepona’ for children under 13 years of age.

The national competition will be held on May 25 (semifinals at Colegio San José) and May 26 (final at the Felipe VI Auditorium). The rules can be consulted at www.esteponamusical.es The registration period will be open until April 28, 2024.

The mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, the deputy mayor of the Sociocultural Area, Paula Herrera, and the artistic director of the contest, Olga Tarasova, today presented the VI Contest of Young Performers ‘City of Estepona’ to promote and encourage culture and art among young people and with the aim of helping future artists of musical interpretation. The alderman has highlighted the commitment that the city makes to promote culture in all its expressions and to support artists.

The national competition is open to young instrumentalists of piano, stringed instruments, wind, harp and guitar, up to 13 years of age, excluding those who have turned 14 years on May 26, the last day of the competition. The rules can be consulted on the website www.esteponamusical.es. The deadline for participation will remain open until April 28th, 2024.

The contest will take place during the next 25 May (semifinals at Colegio San José, at 10:00 am) and 26 May (final at the Felipe VI Auditorium, at 11:00 am), with free admission by invitation of the municipal delegation of Culture.

The jury will be composed of important figures in the musical field with trajectories of national and international relevance. The president will be Luis del Valle, concert pianist, professor at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid.

As members, Juan Alonso Mendoza, oboist and artistic director of the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía and Fundación Albéniz; Eduardo Frías, concert pianist, artistic director and manager of the ‘Fundación Scherzo’ of Madrid; Ana María Valderrama, concert violinist, professor at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid; Fernando Arias, concert cellist, professor at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid; and Salvador Vázquez, chief conductor of the Orquesta de Córdoba.

The following prizes will be awarded:

– 1st Prize: 1,000 euros; 2nd: 700 euros; 3rd: 500 euros; two Finalists’ Diplomas: 200 euros; and Special Audience Prize for one of the 5 finalists: 300 euros.

Special Prizes:

– “Andante con Moto” of Radio Clásica, of RTVE. Participation in the program for the winners of the First Prize and the “Summer Camp” Special Prize.

– Summer Camp Music and Culture” Award from the Estepona City Council and the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, for one of the finalists. Participation in the ‘Summer Camp’ course organized by the School for two weeks in July 2024.

Special prizes for the winner of the First Prize:

– New Special Prize “Scherzo Foundation”. A recital in Madrid organized by the Scherzo Foundation https://fundacionscherzo.es/.

– “GEWA”. GEWA Strings will award a case to the winner of the Competition who plays a string or wind instrument.

– “Orquesta Filarmónica de Málaga”. A performance as a soloist with the O.F.M. in one of the musical cycles organized by the O.F.M.

– “Sociedad Filarmónica de Málaga”. Participation in a recital organized by the S.F.M. in the Sala Antiguo Conservatorio “María Cristina” during the 2024/2025 season. In addition, at the discretion and decision of the Society’s representatives, any other finalist may be awarded with another or other extraordinary recitals, or the participation in the same recital. As compensation for such participation, the Society will endow the participant with a prize amounting to €500.

Other special prizes:

– “Iberian Sinfonietta”. A soloist performance with the orchestra for one of the finalists, during the 2024/2025 season.

– New Special Prize “Barcelona International Young Artists Competition” for the best string instrumentalist, to participate in the Final of the Competition in December of this year, accessing directly to the final and without going through the elimination round.

– New Special Prize “Camerata Complutense” Alcalá de Henares. A solo performance with the orchestra in December of this year, for one of the string, wind, harp or guitar finalists.

– “Colegio San José”. Special trophy for the youngest contestant.

– The winner of the Contest will give a recital in the Felipe VI Auditorium on the day of the celebration of the Final of the VI Concurso Jóvenes Intérpretes Ciudad de Estepona. In addition, all semi-finalists will receive a diploma after the competition.

Organized by the Musical Association “Gradus ad Parnassum”, chaired by Olga Tarasova, artistic director of the competition. Sponsored by the Estepona City Council. In collaboration with the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía and Fundación Albéniz, Fundación Scherzo, GEWA Strings, Orquesta Filarmónica de Málaga (OFM), Sociedad Filarmónica de Málaga, Orquesta Iberian Sinfonietta, “Camerata Complutense” Alcalá de Henares and “Barcelona International Young Artists Competition”, as well as the Colegio San José de Estepona and the company Royal Pianos.