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Northern Connection 2027–2028 – Open call for new works

 

The Nordic-Scottish cooperation project Northern Connection continues with a third call for composers. Northern Connection, launched in 2023, is an international collaboration aiming to establish creative links between the participating countries. Northern Connection will commission work from up to 5 selected applicants, to be performed at contemporary music festivals in the Nordic countries and Scotland in 2027–2028. 

 

The call is open to composers from Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Scotland. Selected composers will work with at least one of the festivals in the network (excluding the festival of the composer’s home country). For the commission, you can choose, if you wish, to take your inspiration from the theme of Northern-ness or Northern connections. This can be a sense of Northern identity(ies), environment, culture, traditions, or anything else that might link to this theme. You can also choose not to use this theme if you prefer. A jury of festival directors will select the successful composers from the pool of suggestions. The application is free to submit. 

 

Partner festivals
 

  • Musica nova Helsinki, February 2027, Finland

  • Klang Festival Copenhagen, June 2027/2028, Denmark

  • Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival, September 2027, Norway

  • Sound Festival, Aberdeen, October 2027, Scotland, UK

  • Dark Music Days, Reykjavík, January 2028, Iceland 

 

Composer Profile  
 

Your primary residence must be in Finland, Denmark, Norway, Scotland or Iceland. There is no age limit or defined career stage, but applicants must be able to show that their career is at a point where they will benefit from international exposure. Female, trans, gender-diverse and global majority composers, as well as composers with a disability, are encouraged to apply.

 

Work
 

You can make a suggestion for a performance piece, for either acoustic instruments and/or electronics, or for an installation or piece of sound art.

 

Instrumentation       
 

If you imagine the piece will use acoustic instruments, you can suggest what instruments you’d like to include, or can leave this flexible. The number of performers is up to you, but do please be aware that that festivals may have limitations concerning the size of the performing groups and stages that can appear at their festival, so it might be better not to be too ambitious in terms of numbers of performers, or to be flexible. You can make suggestions about the performer in the application or you can leave this open. If you are successful, there will be a conversation with the festival director(s) to agree the instrumentation and performers for the piece.  

 

Duration
                                    

Between 5–20 minutes, to be discussed with the festival directors.

 

Premiere 
                                  

To be given by the partner festival(s). Please note that you may be chosen to write for any of the partner festivals that take place between February 2027 and June 2028. 

 

Fee
                                                 

A professional fee will be negotiated between the partner organisations and composers, in line with national tariffs and customs of the composer’s home country. Selected composers may apply for a contribution for travel from their home country. 

 

Materials to submit      
     

  • Short biography

  • Two recordings or other audio samples of previous, relevant work via a link

  • Performance materials for one of the submitted recordings (score or performance instructions, as pdf)

  • Idea of the work to be commissioned (preferably Northern-ness or Northern connections)

  • What motivates you to apply for Northern Connection

 

Selection process               
 

The directors of the festival partners of Northern Connection form a jury that selects the composers and concepts. 

 

Deadline: March 1, 2026

Decision: April 2026

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Apply by filling this form: https://q.surveypal.com/Application-form-%7C-Northern-Connection-Call-for-Composers-2026

 

More information: 
 

If you have any other questions or would like to find out more about the project, please contact the person at your country’s music export office / information centre: 
 

 

Northern Connection has a strong focus on social aspects through strengthening and establishing new contacts, ideas, and networks within the contemporary music scene in the northern area. The project is built on sustainable development and ecological principles, enabling long-term cooperative relationships between contemporary music festivals, musicians, and composers. 

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