– A Nordic collaboration in big band format

Arctic Pulse Orchestra (APO) is an innovative big band project that brings together music students and professional musicians from Finland, Sweden, and Norway. With balanced representation from across the Nordic Arctic region, the orchestra forms a meeting Place where young talents and experienced section leaders create a vibrant, dynamic, and modern big band sound.

March 4th at 7pm in Schauman Hall

Ticket 20 €
Student 10 €

The artistic director is Ralf Nyqvist (Vaasa, Finland) – a highly accomplished 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’s musical expression is shaped through precision, creativity, and a clear Nordic Identity.

The repertoire carries a Scandinavian and Arctic character, featuring music created by composers and arrangers from our regions. Its soundscape reflects both the drama of northern nature and the distinctive features of Nordic musical traditions – from lyrical landscape visions to powerful contemporary big band energy. The goal is to create an artistic collaboration deeply rooted in the Nordic identity.

Arctic Pulse Orchestra offers the audience a unique big band experience where Nordic tonality, modern energy, and strong musical storytelling meet.

About the Arctic Pulse project
Arctic Pulse is the shared heartbeat of the Arctic music scene – a collaborative initiative that brings together the professional music sector in northern Finland, Sweden and Norway to promote cross-border artistic development, cultural innovation, and joint Visibility.

The project strengthens cooperation between musicians, organizers and cultural actors by encouraging knowledge exchange, creative encounters, and cross-genre work. The network consists of seven partners from the Nordic Arctic regions and works to highlight and further develop music creation in the region.

Arctic Pulse is part of the EU/Interreg Aurora project Arctic Music Circles, which focuses on creating sustainable structures for professional music activities in the North. The ambition is to achieve more together than any single actor could accomplish alone – and to bring more outstanding Arctic music to broader audiences.

Arctic Pulse is carried out by: Novia University of Applied Sciences, City of Oulu, Norrlandsoperan, Norrbottensmusiken, Nordnorsk jazzsenter, Scene Nord, Musikk i Nordland