Benidorm announces the 24th Festive Music Contest in the Christian march category

The Local Government Board of Benidorm City Council has approved the rules governing the 24th 'Villa de Benidorm' Festive Music Composition Competition, which this time focuses on the Christian march category. The body has also approved a €2,000 prize for the competition winner.

The Councillor for Culture, Jaime Jesús Pérez, stated that the competition "is a well-established activity in the field of composition" and emphasised that the competition "has produced many works that have subsequently been played in parades and concerts throughout Spain." This activity, the councilor continued, "is part of the City Council's strategic lines and seeks to highlight the significance and important role that music plays in human beings and society, in addition to promoting artistic and musical creativity among professionals." Another objective, Pérez explained, is "to contribute to maintaining the relevance of traditional music so deeply rooted in the Valencian Community."

Contest participants may submit as many compositions as they wish, although, as indicated in the rules, these must be original, unpublished, and cannot have been performed in public before the jury's decision. The jury will specifically evaluate originality in themes, harmony, melody, and other characteristics of festive music.

The rules also establish a single prize of 2,000 euros and a trophy, sponsored by the City Council, and that the works must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on July 31, 2025. As in previous editions, the works will be presented under a motto in the form of a score, without a signature or sign that identifies the author.

Participants must send four bound copies of the score in A3 or A4 format. A CD or flash drive containing the score and parts in PDF format, along with an audio file of the score in MP3 or compatible format, must also be included. A sealed envelope must also include all the composer's information.

Please note that works may not be signed under any circumstances, and that material submitted for the competition must be sent only by registered mail to the attention of the Benidorm City Council's Department of Culture.

Finally, the jury will evaluate the submitted works within 15 calendar days and will announce the winning work's motto through the City Council's various information channels. The musical piece, as is traditional, will be performed at the extraordinary concert to be held in September. The name of the composer will also be announced at that event.