A young Galician saxophonist with an already promising career, Xurxo Morales Varela has distinguished himself with numerous international awards and prestigious collaborations.
Trained under masters such as Claude Delangle and Vincent David, he performs as a soloist with orchestras and in chamber music.
Winner of the 2024 prize for best score at the Sax n.Dole competition, he continues his ascent at the CNSMD in Paris.
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Born in Lugo in 2003, Xurxo Morales Varela began playing the saxophone at the age of 5 with his father at the Rábade Music School.
At 8, he joined the CMUS “Xoán Montes” in Lugo, studying under Alberto López, where he earned his Professional Diploma with honors.
Winner of his school's soloist competition, he received honorable mentions in 2018 and 2019, and then won first prize in 2020.
Representing the Professional Conservatories of Music of Galicia at the national Melómanos competition in 2019 and 2020, he won the regional edition of the Intercentros Melómano competition in Galicia.
In 2021, he won the 3rd prize in the Young Talent category at the Andorra Sax Fest.
He trained with internationally renowned saxophonists such as Nikita Zimin, Nicolas Arsenijevic, Vincent David, Arno Bornkamp, and Claude Delangle. A finalist in the 11th edition of the Peregrinos Musicales competition, he performs as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Galicia.
Currently studying at the Higher Center of Music of the Basque Country (Musikene) with Miguel A. Lorente and Thomas Barthelemy, he was selected in his first year by the academic jury to represent the institution in a double recital at the Juan March Foundation (Madrid) in 2023.
In 2024, he won third prize in the final of the International Sax n.Dole Competition (France) as well as the prize for the best cumulative score over the three rounds.
Admitted to the Erasmus Exchange program at the CNSMD in Paris, studying with Nicolas Arsenijevic and Christophe Bois, he also continues his activities with the Oxygen Quartet, an award-winning ensemble integrated into the Young Music Network of Spain.
