Borealis is a festival for experimental music, which also has activity throughout the year. The festival has existed since 2004 and presents ground-breaking experimental music and art from Bergen, Norway, Sápmi and around the world. Borealis Ung Komponist was first organised in 2017 and is one of Borealis’ most important initiatives throughout the year. 24 music creators have taken part in the programme and have gone on to create their own recognised projects in the field of contemporary music, jazz and performing arts. The mentor programme has contributed to a richer and more vibrant music scene in Western Norway and nationally, by raising new voices in the field of experimental music. The programme aims to stimulate more innovation and exchange of experience, and to encourage budding composers to step forward and take their place. Borealis Ung Komponist also aims to provide professional competence to the new generation of Norwegian composers. Borealis wants to continue this important work of finding and shaping the next generation of music creators with a penchant for experimenting with sound, and are working to increase the width of representation on the programme. The festival has long focused and worked hard to represent the society it exists in, both on, in front of and behind stage, by making conscious choices on gender balance and ethnic diversity in its programmes.

Borealis Ung Komponist is an arena for development where you as a music creator and your musical ideas are taken seriously. You must be prepared for, and want to, challenge yourself, and be willing to work both in groups and independently. It is important and expected that each participant has progression between each workshop. Participants can also use the mentors in these intermediate phases to get help to move forward. The framework for the workshops is always set in advance, and you get timetables and information well in advance. Nevertheless, some flexibility is given so that the participants themselves can shape how they want to work and structure their time with the mentors and the ensemble. It is a priority to create a good group dynamic and emphasis is placed on common meal breaks and time for conversations, so that the participants get to know each other, the ensemble, and the mentors well. This contributes to a relaxed atmosphere and creates a space where ideas and concepts can develop in a good way.

The mentor programme runs from September to March , and is remunerated. Participants must be able to attend all the workshops.

Over the course of the programme, each participant will create their own work/piece of music, which has its World Premiere at Borealis, in Bergen. Borealis is also working to take the music on tour in the region after the festival.

Participants should live and work in Norway, or on the Norwegian side of Sápmi. For participants not residing in Bergen, Borealis may grant financial support for travel and hotel but will not cover all costs.

The mentor programme is divided into 4 workshops with a duration of 3 days. They consist of meetings with the mentors, as well as rehearsals and development of the music in collaboration with the ensemble. Participants are required to work on their pieces on their own between each workshop. There is only one mentor present per workshop.

The workshops take place in Bergen.

The workshops are held in Norwegian and English.

Borealis is looking for new voices, and selects the participants based on motivation, idea, self-development aspirations as well as the ability to work with others, and the final group composition. Borealis ensures that the diversity in society is represented in the mentor programme and enforces gender balance.

The festival encourages qualified candidates to apply, regardless of age, gender, disabilities, ethnic background and sexual orientation. Working conditions will be facilitated for participants with disabilities. There is no upper age limit on the programme. You can be in the early stages of your career as a music creator no matter your age. The mentor programme and the concert are part of Borealis’ artistic program, and the selection of participants is made by Borealis.

Next call for BUK will be in the spring of 2026.

• You are in the starting phase of your career as a music creator/composer, regardless of age
• You have a desire to develop further as a music creator
• You want guidance within a professional framework
• You have one or more ideas about how you want to experiment with the musicians in Ensemble Obsidian
• You can convey your musical ideas to others
• You live and work in Norway or on the Norwegian side of Sápmi
• You can participate in all the workshops in Bergen

Read interviews with the four music creators that took part in Borealis Ung Komponist in 2022/23 and get an idea of how their experience with the programme was. Also check out the pieces they made for Ensemble YrrY!

Susanne Xin

Luke Drozd

Guoste Tamulynaite

Eline Rafteseth