The reigning Norwegian champion Eikanger-Bjørsvik has received a wonderful Christmas present this year after they were awarded 200,000 Kroner (approx £20,000) from the Norwegian Arts Council to support their promotion of new contemporary music.

Delighted

Band Spokesperson Viggo Bjorge was delighted that Eikanger’s innovative application, which was made in June of this year, had been successful.

"This is a record award and strengthens our commitment to providing outstanding new repertoire in concerts in 2014 and beyond.

We plan to premier performances of new musical works in a series of high profile events, whilst we will also make available new music for youth bands too."

This is a record award and strengthens our commitment to providing outstanding new repertoire in concerts in 2014 and beyondBand Spokesperson Viggo Bjorge

Arrangements

Eikanger has already made arrangements to work with Norwegian composer Stig Nordhagen, who wrote the 2013 European Championship test piece, ‘Myth Forest’. His new work, entitled, ‘Ground — Dream Sequences’ is scheduled to be premiered in autumn 2014.

Meanwhile, a new works will also be forthcoming from the highly respected Sven Henrik Giske, who wrote the former Norwegian National test piece, ‘Goldberg 2012’. He is set to write a concerto for two trombones.