Have you ever wanted to sit in the ranks of a professional big band?

This November, you finally have the chance, as Bergen Big Band (BBB) once again hosts its popular big band course! We are repeating the success and inviting young musicians from all across Western Norway!

 

During the weekend of November 13–15, 2026, BBB will organize a new big band course for young musicians aged 15–22. This is a unique opportunity to learn from a professional orchestra and to perform together with Bergen Big Band. Throughout the weekend there will be sit-ins, lessons, masterclasses, and finally a joint concert.

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BBB consists of some of the leading jazz musicians from Bergen and the surrounding area, all of whom also have extensive experience as teachers and educators. BBB will provide 11 performers from the orchestra’s regular lineup, and the musical program will take participants on a journey through the entire history of big band music.
 

Participant feedback from previous courses:

• “The instructors and participants were incredibly kind and highly skilled. It was very fun, comfortable, and safe to play here.”

• “I loved the tunes we played. Absolutely amazing!”

• “I really appreciated the sense of security. As someone new to big band, I was quite stressed, but all the instructors made me feel very safe.”

• “I’m leaving with incredibly valuable guidance and learning experiences.”

• “What I really liked about the course was having professional musicians sitting in the section with us so we could learn different things from them.”

• “I thought it was incredibly educational and enjoyable.”

• “It has been an extremely educational and fun course, with lots of kind and talented people!”

• “It was amazing to work with such great musicians.”

• “Fantastic instructors! I learn so much just from being around skilled, professional people.”

• “I loved the atmosphere and how everyone constantly supported each other.”

• “You were all incredibly kind and very good at helping people sound great.”

• “It was such a pleasant musical environment. It could easily have been a pressured and uncomfortable situation where you feel like you have to perform, but instead it felt very safe and like an open space for learning. I really appreciate that.”

 

ABOUT THE COURSE

BBB wants to contribute to the development of the next generation of big band musicians. As Western Norway’s jazz flagship, BBB aims to create a unique meeting place within Norwegian musical life, where talented young musicians can sit side by side with professional and experienced performers who continuously provide feedback, advice, and tips on style, phrasing, ensemble playing, and improvisation. This gives participants a completely unique and experience-based knowledge that cannot be found elsewhere.

The big band course will take place during the weekend of November 13–15, 2026, at Varden skole. The final concert will be held on Sunday, November 15 at 3:00 PM.

The participation fee is NOK 1000, which covers tuition, instruction, and meals. Travel and accommodation must be covered by the participants themselves, but applicants traveling from far away may apply to BBB for travel support. We also have discount agreements with hotels in central Bergen—please contact us if this is relevant.

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WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

The course is aimed at motivated, curious, and engaged young musicians aged 15–22. There are limited places available, so you must submit an application. Young people from Vestland, Rogaland, and Møre og Romsdal are encouraged to apply.
 

For the course, we will admit participants for a full big band lineup consisting of 5 saxophonists (alto, tenor, and baritone), 4 trumpeters, 4 trombonists (including bass trombone), and a 5-piece rhythm section (piano, guitar, double bass/electric bass, drum set, and percussion). If you are a saxophonist, please specify whether you also play clarinet or flute.
 

You may also sign up for the masterclass. In that case, you prepare a jazz standard and perform as a soloist with BBB’s rhythm section. If you are interested, please state this in your application and include a lead sheet with melody and chords.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

There are limited places available since the course only admits enough participants to fill the big band lineup. You will be notified shortly after the application deadline whether you have been offered a place.

Application deadline: October 12, 2026.
 

If you wish, you may submit audio or video recordings of yourself performing a jazz standard or a solo piece/similar work. This may be helpful if there is strong competition for the available places. Recordings should be sent via WeTransfer, Dropbox, or similar services to bergenbigband@gmail.com.

Please remember to label all files with your name.

Link to application form: https://bit.ly/BBBstorbandkurs26

Do you have any questions? Please contact Sindre Dalhaug by email: bergenbigband@gmail.com

Big Band Course with Bergen Big Band 2026 is made possible with support from Bergen kommune, Norsk musikkråd, Norsk jazzforum, and Vestnorsk jazzsenter.