Arctic Pulse Orchestra is an initiative within the Interreg Aurora-funded project Arctic Music Circles, developed under the Arctic Pulse brand. The initiative brings together over 20 young musicians and experienced section leaders from Finland, Sweden and Norway in a shared cross-border artistic collaboration.
The activity aims to strengthen professional development and cooperation in the Arctic region by offering young musicians the opportunity to work in an international big band setting alongside established professionals. Through joint rehearsals and concerts, emerging talent and experienced musicians collaborate, exchange knowledge and develop new repertoire together.
The orchestra is led by Musical Director and Conductor Ralf Nyqvist, a composer, arranger and conductor with more than four decades of experience in orchestral leadership, studio work and cross-genre music production. Under his direction, the orchestra works with newly written and newly arranged music by composers from the region.
The repertoire is inspired by Nordic and Arctic landscapes and musical traditions and is developed specifically for this cross-border collaboration. The activity is implemented as a project-based ensemble and culminates in a concert tour in March 2026 in northern Finland and northern Sweden.
The tour is organised by Arctic Pulse in collaboration with Norrbottensmusiken, Norrlandsoperan, Novia, Scene Nord, Musikk i Nordland, Nordnorsk Jazzsenter and the City of Oulu, with support from Interreg Aurora, Region Norrbotten, Luleå Municipality, Umeå Municipality, Region Västerbotten, Lapin liitto, Nordland County Council and Troms County Council.
4.3 – 19:00 · Jakobstad – Schauman Hall
5.3 – 19:00 · Oulu – Pohjankartanon sali
6.3 – 19:00 · Boden – Hotel Bodensia
7.3 – 21:00 · Piteå – Studio Acusticum
8.3 – 15:00 · Umeå – Norrlandsoperan
Read more about the Interreg Aurora project Arctic Music Circles here.
