16 works are competing for the 2,000 euro prize of the XXV Festival Music Composition Competition in the pasodoble category

A total of 16 works have been submitted to the 25th edition of  "Villa de Benidorm" Festival Music Composition Competition, which this year is being held in the pasodoble category. The winner will receive a prize of €2,000 and a trophy, according to the Department of Culture.

The deadline for submissions was July 31st at 11:59 p.m. As in previous years, entries had to be submitted under a title in the form of a musical score, without a signature or any mark that could identify the composer. Each composer submitted four copies of the score and included a CD or USB drive containing the score and individual parts in PDF format, as well as an audio recording. In addition, a sealed envelope containing the composer's contact information was included.

The Councillor for Culture, Jaime Jesús Pérez, expressed his satisfaction with the number of entries received, noting that it was "significantly higher than in previous years when the focus was on Moorish or Christian marches." He also expressed his confidence that "the compositions will once again be of high quality, as is customary each year," and predicted that "the jury will once again have a very difficult task in choosing the winning composition."

The Councillor emphasised that the competition "is a well-established activity within the field of composition" and highlighted that "many works have emerged from it that have subsequently been performed in parades and concerts throughout Spain." He continued, stating that this activity "forms part of the strategic priorities of the Department of Culture and seeks to emphasize the importance and significance of music for individuals and society, as well as to promote artistic and musical creativity among professionals." Another objective, Pérez explained, is “to help maintain the vitality of traditional music so deeply rooted in the Valencian Community, as well as to promote musical creation and contribute to the dissemination and enrichment of the repertoire of festive music.”

From now on, for a period of twenty calendar days, the jury will especially value the originality of the themes, harmony, melody, and other characteristics typical of festive music. The winning piece will then be announced through the City Council's various communication channels. As is tradition, the piece will be performed at the special concert to be held in September. The composer's name will also be revealed at that event.