Launched in 2023, Northern Connection is an international collaboration aimed at establishing creative connections between the participating countries. Northern Connection will commission works from up to five selected applicants, which will 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, and Scotland. Selected composers will collaborate with at least one of the festivals in the network (excluding the festival in the composer’s home country).

In connection with the commission, you may choose to be inspired by the theme Northern-ness or Northern connections. This may involve a sense of Nordic identity(ies), environment, culture, traditions, or other aspects that can be linked to the theme. You may also choose not to engage with the theme if you prefer.

A jury consisting of the festival directors will select the successful composers from the submitted proposals. There is no fee to submit an application.

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, United Kingdom

Composer Profile
Your primary place of residence must be in Finland, Denmark, Norway, or Scotland.

There is no age limit or fixed career stage, but applicants must be able to demonstrate that their career has reached a level where they would benefit from international exposure.

Women, trans, and global majority composers, as well as composers with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Work
You may submit a proposal for a performance work for either acoustic instruments and/or electronics, or for an installation or sound art work.

Instrumentation
If you imagine the work using acoustic instruments, you may propose the instruments you wish to include, or keep this flexible.

The number of performers is up to you, but please note that festivals may have limitations regarding ensemble size and stage capacity. It may therefore be advantageous not to be overly ambitious regarding the number of performers, or to remain flexible.

You may suggest performers in the application or leave this open. If you are selected, there will be a dialogue with the festival director(s) to determine instrumentation and performers for the work.

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

Premiere
The world premiere will be given by the partner festival(s). Please note that you may be selected to write for any of the partner festivals taking place between February 2027 and June 2028.

Fee
A professional fee will be negotiated between the partner organisations and the composers in accordance with national rates and practices in the composer’s home country.

Selected composers may apply for a contribution toward travel expenses from their home country.

Materials to Submit
Short biography
Two recordings or other audio samples of previous relevant work (via the link below)
Performance material for one of the submitted recordings (score or performance instructions as PDF)
Idea for the commissioned work (preferably engaging with the themes Northern-ness or Northern connections)
A statement describing what motivates you to apply to Northern Connection

Selection Process
The directors of the festival partners in Northern Connection form the jury, which selects the composers and concepts.

Deadline: 1 March 2026
Decision: April 2026

Apply by completing this form: APPLICATION FORM

Further Information
If you have questions or would like to learn more about the project, you may contact the representative at your country’s music export office / information centre:

Tuuli Elo, Music Finland: tuuli.elo@musicfinland.fi
Regin Petersen, Art Music Denmark: regin@artmusicdenmark.org
Yumi Murakami, Music Norway: yumi@musicnorway.no
Richard Greer, Scottish Music Centre: richard.greer@scottishmusiccentre.com
Signý Leifsdóttir, Iceland Music: signy@icelandmusic.is


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 region.

The project is based on sustainable development and ecological principles, enabling long-term collaborative relationships between contemporary music festivals, musicians, and composers.

Read more about Northern Connection HERE.