Salvatore Capizzi – Antonino Maiorana International Music Competition

A crossroads of talent in Buseto Palizzolo

The Salvatore Capizzi – Antonino Maiorana International Music Competition takes place in Buseto Palizzolo, a small town in the province of Trapani, Sicily, and has steadily evolved into a true crossroads for musical talent. Every May, it draws hundreds of young musicians from all over Italy and abroad, ready to test their skills before a qualified jury.

The event is organized by the Giacomo Candela Musical Association, with the patronage of the Municipality of Buseto Palizzolo, and is primarily hosted at the A. Manzoni Auditorium. The competition is dedicated to the memory of two musicians with deep ties to the area, Salvatore Capizzi and Antonino Maiorana, whom the local community chose to honor by making them the symbols of an event that continues to grow year after year.

How the competition is structured

The competition is divided into two distinct phases, spanning over a week of auditions, concerts, and artistic exchange:

• First phase — reserved for solo and chamber performances, featuring pianists, guitarists, percussionists, strings, and wind players;
• Second phase — dedicated to middle schools with a musical curriculum, featuring dozens of school orchestras, soloists, and youth ensembles.

Auditions are often broadcast via live stream to reach families and schools unable to attend in person. For many young people, this represents one of their first opportunities to perform in a competitive yet educational environment, designed as a moment for artistic growth rather than just a simple contest.

Music, education, and community

Alongside the competition, the event features an inaugural concert performed by the Giacomo Candela Symphonic Band, the ensemble that gives its name to the organizing association. The program ranges from great operatic repertoire to contemporary music, with the participation of guest conductors and soloists.

Over the years, the Capizzi–Maiorana Competition has become a defining event for Buseto Palizzolo and the entire Trapani area: an opportunity to promote musical education for the youth, reward talent, and showcase a town in Western Sicily through music. The presence of schools and ensembles from various Italian regions and abroad confirms the international vocation of an event born in a small town that has grown into a reference point for music education.