Salvuccio Percacciolo Prize School Music Festival

A music competition born from a love for music

The Salvuccio Percacciolo Prize School Music Festival is one of the most cherished events in the cultural calendar of Mirto, a small town in the Nebrodi area of the province of Messina, Sicily. This music competition, open to state and private schools of all levels, has been attracting hundreds of young musicians from across Sicily and many other Italian regions for over thirty years.

The event is dedicated to the memory of Salvuccio Percacciolo, a talented young musician from Mirto who tragically passed away at the age of eleven in 1998. His parents, Armando Percacciolo and Marisa Raffiti, transformed their grief into an educational and musical project that keeps their son's passion alive every year, providing a stage for countless students to express themselves.

Competition Categories

The festival is divided into several categories designed to showcase the diverse talents within the school system:

• Choirs and polyphonic groups from primary and secondary schools;
• Orchestras and instrumental ensembles from music-focused schools;
• Chamber music and small ensembles;
• Soloists (vocal and instrumental, including strings, guitar, woodwinds, and piano);
• Youth marching bands;
• Music and variety arts sections, including folk groups in traditional costume.

A qualified jury awards top prizes, category honors, scholarships, and special awards provided by sponsors; all participants receive a certificate of participation. Among the most coveted awards is the opportunity for winning ensembles to perform on prestigious Sicilian stages.

Five days of music in Mirto

For five days, the village comes alive with concerts, rehearsals, and performances held primarily at the Fashion and Costume Museum, housed in the historic Palazzo Cupane in Mirto. In recent years, the final ceremony and awards have also involved theaters and venues in neighboring towns across the Nebrodi area and the Tyrrhenian coast.

The festival is organized by the Municipality of Mirto in collaboration with local musical associations, regional schools, and local bands, working in a network with schools and administrations throughout the province of Messina.

More than just a competition

More than just a contest, the Salvuccio Percacciolo Prize is a meeting place for students, teachers, and families. It offers five days of listening, comparison, and sharing that enrich every participant's journey in a welcoming atmosphere filled with exchange and emotion. For the young musicians taking the stage, the festival often represents their first true concert experience—a memory that will last a lifetime.