Founded in 1972, the OstrobothniaN Chamber Orchestra is one of Finland’s most internationally renowned orchestras. Under the leadership of its founder, conductor Juha Kangas, the orchestra has created an ambitious profile, characterized by responsive, dynamic ensemble playing and a wide repertoire ranging from Baroque to contemporary music. Juha Kangas served as the orchestra’s artistic director until the end of 2008 and is now its honorary conductor.

The orchestra’s decades-long collaboration with composer Pehr Henrik Nordgren (1944–2008) is one example of the partnerships on which the orchestra’s success has been built. The orchestra’s active role as a creator of contemporary music has resulted in over 200 world premieres, many of which were commissioned by the orchestra. In addition to Finnish composers, close ties have been established with composers in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The orchestra, which enjoys wide international acclaim, was awarded the Nordic Council Music Prize in 1993, among other honors.

The Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra has made nearly 90 recordings, which have attracted international attention and spread the orchestra’s reputation around the world. In addition to its home base in Kokkola, the orchestra regularly tours in Finland and abroad. In the summer of 2025, the orchestra once again visited the renowned Mozart Festival in Würzburg, Germany. In addition to Europe, the orchestra has performed in Japan and New York.

After Sakari Oramo’s term (2013–2019) ended, Swedish violinist Malin Broman was appointed artistic director of the orchestra. Broman, who has distinguished herself as a soloist, chamber musician, and music director, began her term in the fall of 2019. The orchestra’s new artistic director from autumn 2026 will be conductor and violinist Kasmir Uusitupa.