Big Band Course 2026!
Do you want to sit in the ranks of a professional big band?
This November, you finally have the chance, as Bergen Big Band (BBB) is once again arranging its popular big band course! We're repeating last year's success and inviting young people from all over western Norway!

The weekend of November 13–15, 2026, BBB is holding a new big band course for pupils, students, and young people early in their careers (ages 15–22). This is a unique opportunity to learn from the professional orchestra and to play together with Bergen Big Band. Over the course of the weekend there will be "sit-ins," teaching, an improvisation workshop, and finally a joint concert at the city's jazz venue, Sardinen at USF Verftet.

Extraordinary opportunity at this year's course! Participants at this year's big band course may be selected to take part in a regional talent project in collaboration with the world stars Marius Neset (sax), Anton Eger (drums), BBB, and Vossa Jazz. Suitable candidates are hand-picked by BBB.

BBB consists of some of Bergen and the surrounding area's foremost jazz musicians, 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.

Feedback from participants of previous courses:

• "The instructors and participants at the course were very nice and highly skilled - it was really fun, comfortable, and safe to play here."

• "I loved the tunes we played. Really cool!"

• "I appreciated the sense of safety. Being new to big band, I was pretty stressed, but all the instructors made me feel very safe."

• "I came away with incredibly valuable guidance and learning."

• "What I really liked about the course was having pro players in the section so we could learn different things from them."

• "I found it incredibly educational and enjoyable."

• "It's been an extremely educational and fun course, with lots of kind and talented people!"

• "Amazing to get 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 cheered each other on the whole time."

• "You were all incredibly kind, very good at helping people sound good."

• "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 wants to create a unique meeting place in Norwegian musical life, where talented young people get to sit in the sections with professional, experienced musicians who will continuously give feedback, advice, and tips on style, phrasing, ensemble playing, and improvisation. This will give participants a truly unique, experience-based knowledge that can't be gained anywhere else.

The big band course takes place the weekend of November 13–15, 2026, at Varden school near Bergen. The closing concert is Sunday, November 15 at 3:00 PM at USF Verftet.

Participation costs 1,000 NOK, which covers the course fee, instruction, and food. Travel and accommodation are covered by participants, but applicants coming from far away can apply to BBB for travel support. We have discount agreements with hotels in downtown Bergen - get in touch if that's relevant.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
The target group for the course is motivated, curious, and engaged young people 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, participants are selected to fill a complete big band lineup with 5 saxophonists (alto, tenor, and baritone), 4 trumpeters, 4 trombonists (including bass trombone), and 5 rhythm section members (piano, guitar, double bass/electric bass, drum kit, and percussion). If you're a saxophonist, state whether you also play clarinet or flute.

HOW TO APPLY:
Space is limited, since the course only takes in enough participants to fill the big band lineup. You'll be notified whether you've been given a spot shortly after the application deadline.
Application deadline: October 12, 2026.

If you'd like, you can submit an audio/video recording of yourself playing a standard tune or a solo piece (or similar). This can be a good idea if there's strong competition for spots. Send the recording via wetransfer.com, Dropbox, or similar to bergenbigband@gmail.com.
Remember to label all files with your name.

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

Questions? Contact Sindre Dalhaug, email: bergenbigband@gmail.com

The Big Band Course with Bergen Big Band 2026 is carried out with support from the City of Bergen; the Norwegian Music Council, Norwegian Jazz Forum, West Norway Jazz Centre, and Musikk-Miljø.