At a ceremony at the City of the Arts, the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) awarded José Gerardo Castillo Zaldivar, Daniel Fernando Oropeza, Samuel Ivan Robles and Emiliano Pardo Tristan, winners of the National Music Composition Competition "Roque Cordero" 2024, in its seventh version, that recognizes national excellence in music.

At the event, the authorities of MiCultura awarded a unique prize, silver medal and a scroll to four categories: Symphony Orchestra to Emiliano Pardo Tristan, who won with the play "Migrant Concert," awarded with B /. 5,000 balboas. Overall, the prize was for Daniel Fernando Oropeza, for his work "Clarividencia," with B /. 3,000 balboas.

They were also awarded in the Coro category to José Gerardo Castillo Zaldivar with the work "Éxodus," with B /. 3,000 balboas, and at Banda Symphónica, Samuel Ivan Robles with the work "Sinphonietta," with an award from B /. 5,000 balboas.
The Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, emphasized that "this year, the contest has reached new heights of excellence and diversity, reflecting the richness of our musical culture and the innovative spirit of the participating composers."

"The winners of this edition have shown an exceptional mastery of technique and a profound artistic sensitivity, creating works that not only honor the memory of master Roque Cordero but also enrich our cultural heritage," she added.

José Gerardo Castillo, winner of the Coro category, emphasized that "through this contest we promote artistic talent, we make culture and this contest is an export product that puts out what we can show to the world.

Castillo invited artists to "participate, get closer to composers and get ready so they can compete."

The selection of winning musical compositions was by Justices Marvin Antonio Camacho Villegas from Costa Rica, Patricia Moya and Pérez from Mexico and Francisco Javier Varela from Argentina.

That contest aims at enaltecer the figure of the master Roque Cordero, the best exponent of our country with regard to musical composition.