A competition featuring eighteen highly esteemed musicians from both national and international backgrounds has concluded, with a grand prize of 10,000 euros at stake. The triumphant composer, David Rivas from Toro, Zamora, has until September 18, 2026 to complete his musical masterpiece inspired by Estepona. Estepona City Council has announced that David Rivas has clinched the top spot in the V Composition Contest for Symphonic Band ‘Estepona, Garden of the Costa del Sol’, winning the coveted 10,000 euro prize. This contest, organized by the City Council, seeks to inspire composers to craft symphonic pieces for band repertoire that draw inspiration from the city of Estepona. A total of eighteen composers renowned for their national and international accomplishments vied for the top spot in this edition. The panel of judges, led by councilor Macarena Diánez from the municipal delegation of Culture, included esteemed figures such as composer and pianist Fernando Ferrer Martínez ‘Ferrer Ferran’, conductor and composer Óscar Navarro González, and chief conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Malaga, José María Moreno Valiente. These distinguished professionals were tasked with selecting the composer with the most impressive portfolio and musical catalog, whose project best captures the essence of the city and the competition’s values. David Rivas’ submission is a three-movement descriptive suite titled ‘Estepona, garden of light’, depicting a radiant and vibrant city where nature, architecture, and daily life harmoniously coexist. According to the guidelines, the winning composer must submit the finalized composition, including both the conductor’s score and individual parts for each musician, by September 18, 2026. Upon review by the specialized committee, the composition will be premiered, and the prize will be publicly awarded to the victorious composer. The Municipal Band of Estepona, under the baton of David Rivas, will perform the piece on November 20 at the Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI, coinciding with a special concert in honor of St. Cecilia. The inaugural edition of this contest was organized by the Consistory to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Municipal Band (1940-2020). The winning compositions from the previous four contests include works such as ‘Estepona, Jardín del Mediterráneo (Astabuna)’ by Álvaro López Cámara, ‘Estepona, el Jardín del Mundo’ by Fernando Ferrer Martínez, ‘Impresiones de Estepona’ by Christiaan Janssen, and ‘Estepona, la Ciudad de las Flores’ by Hugo Chinesta. These compositions are now part of the Municipal Band of Estepona’s archives. David Rivas Domínguez, born in Toro (Zamora) in 1980, holds degrees in History of Art and History and Science of Music from the University of Salamanca. As a secondary school music teacher in Castilla y León since 2006, David has composed over 450 works, some of which have received prestigious awards in Spain. His music has been premiered in various national theaters and auditoriums, as well as in numerous countries across the globe. David has also garnered acclaim for his music in band competitions, both national and international. His compositions have been performed and recorded by various bands and orchestras, showcasing his talent and creativity on a global scale.