Arctic Pulse Orchestra: Five concerts across Finland and Sweden
Arctic Pulse Orchestra brought together music students and professional musicians from Finland, Sweden and Norway for a five-concert tour in March 2026. Led by musical director Ralf Nyqvist, the Nordic big band performed in Jakobstad, Oulu, Boden, Piteå and Umeå from 4 to 8 March.
Before the tour, the musicians rehearsed together in Jakobstad from 28 February to 3 March. Working alongside experienced section leaders, the students prepared a shared concert programme and gained practical experience of rehearsing, touring and performing as an international ensemble. The time together also gave them opportunities to learn from other musicians and build new professional contacts across borders.
The programme combined commissioned music and new arrangements with existing big-band repertoire by composers from the participating countries. It also featured music by student and orchestra member Bendik Vaaja Aspaas, whose work was performed beyond his home country.
Watch the full concert from Piteå
Experience Arctic Pulse Orchestra in the full concert recording from Studio Acusticum, Piteå, on 7 March 2026, available on Arctic Pulse’s YouTube channel.
About the collaboration
The production was led by Novia in collaboration with Norrbottensmusiken, Norrlandsoperan, City of Oulu, Scene Nord, Musikk i Nordland and Nordnorsk Jazzsenter.
Funding
Arctic Music Circles is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Aurora programme, with co-financing from Region Norrbotten, Luleå Municipality, Umeå Municipality, Region Västerbotten, Lapin Liitto, Nordland County Council and Troms County Council.
About Arctic Pulse
Arctic Pulse is the public identity of Arctic Music Circles, an Interreg Aurora project connecting musicians, producers and music organisations across northern Sweden, Finland and Norway.
The project creates opportunities for artistic development, professional exchange and long-term music collaboration across borders.