The VIII Young Performers Competition, backed by Estepona City Council, is designed to assist talented musicians under 14 years old. Estepona’s Mayor, José María García Urbano, has honored 13-year-old saxophonist Javier Roa Alcázar with the top award in the VIII National Competition for Young Performers, organized by the Musical Association ‘Gradus ad Parnassum’ and supported by Estepona City. Roa also clinched the Audience Special Prize, GEWA Special Prize, Philharmonic Orchestra of Malaga Special Prize, Philharmonic Society of Malaga Special Prize, ‘The future begins here’ Special Prize, and ‘Camerata Complutense’ Special Prize. The second prize was won by 13-year-old viola player Cristina Alonso Sánchez from Oviedo. The third prize was shared by 13-year-old harpist Sara Camila Molina Isaaccura from Madrid and 12-year-old violinist Marco David Gayo Lehner from Madrid, who also received the ‘Summer Camp’ Special Prize and ‘Barcelona International Young Artist Competition’ Special Prize. Additionally, pianist Chensui Jin, 13, from Madrid was awarded the Finalist Diploma and ‘Scherzo Foundation’ Special Prize. On the other hand, Malaga’s 12-year-old violinist Antonio Ortiz Trabalón received the ‘Iberian Sinfonietta’ Special Prize, while 10-year-old pianist Mario Ñíguez Molina from Malaga was granted the ‘Colegio San José’ Special Prize for being the youngest participant. The Mayor praised the high level of the participants and emphasized that the competition was created to promote and nurture culture and art among youth. The jury, led by Juan Mendoza, artistic director of the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, consisted of prominent figures from the national and international music scene. The competition, organized by the Musical Association ‘Gradus ad Parnassum’ under the presidency of Olga Tarasova, a cellist professor at the Philharmonic Orchestra of Malaga and artistic director of the event, is supported by Estepona City Council and partners such as Radio Clásica, Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, GEWA Strings, HINVES Pianos, Fundación Scherzo, Orquesta Filarmónica de Málaga (OFM), Sociedad Filarmónica de Málaga, ‘Sol Classic Management’, Orquesta ‘Iberian Sinfonietta’, ‘Camerata Complutense’ Alcalá de Henares, ‘Barcelona International Young Artists’, ‘Barcelona International Young Artists Orchestra’, ‘Barcelona International Young Artists Competition’, ‘Ciclo Jóvenes Talentos’, and Altair Producciones, as well as Colegio San José de Estepona and El Campanario Multi-Sport Club.