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UNM (Ung Nordisk Musik) is a joint organization spanning the Nordic and Baltic countries, whose mission is to promote the work of young music makers and sound artists by producing a yearly festival. Founded in 1946, making it one of the oldest festivals of its kind, UNM has been a meeting place for creators under the age of 31 to exchange thoughts, musical ideas and establish new connections with others from across Northern Europe.
Five works from each Nordic country (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland), and two works from each of the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) will be selected in this year’s call for works. The selection of works is made by independent juries representing each participating country.
Apply for our Open Call for works: Open Call for Works 2025
For the 80th anniversary with the theme ARCHIVE, the festival will be focusing on the past and future of UNM by showcasing your favourite works from your compositional archive. During the festival year in 2026 we aim to be able to accommodate dramaturgical works. For this we will co-produce the works with Scenatet.
We will also offer a residency program and invite to a UNM conference during the festival. We encourage all those interested to apply regardless of race, religion, gender, background, education, or artistic style.
For the festival we aim to make sure, to the extent of our abilities, that the venues and lectures being accessible for everyone including individuals with disabilities.
UNM can accommodate all kinds of works such as; sound art, electronic/electroacoustic, chamber to larger settings, vocal, installations and more.
UNM Residency 2026
For the 2026 festival we are very excited to announce a residency collaboration with the ensemble NEKO3.
Apply for the residency through: Open Call for Residency
NEKO3 is a Copenhagen-based experimental trio consisting of pianist/performer Fei Nie and two percussionists/performers Lorenzo Colombo and Kalle Hakosalo.
More info: https://www.neko3cph.com/events/
From each country one composer will be selected for the residency program and one combined from the Baltic countries through the separate open call for the residency.
Selected works will be workshopped in Copenhagen with the composers, ensemble members and mentors Jeppe Just Christensen and Søs Gunver Ryberg during the 26th to 30th of May 2026 and showcased as a part of the festival program in August 2026.
Info about the residency mentors:
UNM Conference 2026
As a part of UNM 80. anniversary celebration we are presenting a UNM Conference— as a “career package” for young music creators that consists of a series of lectures and workshops. Between 11 – 15 August we invite different guests from across the music industry who will be talking about:
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Freelancing and self-releasing
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Festival production
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Cultural fundings
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Startup union
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Music publishing and engraving
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Electronics/electroacoustics
Scenatet — ensemble specializing in performance and dramaturgical works. 6 performers although the ensemble is flexible in size.
More info: https://scenatet.dk/about/
ÆTLA Vokalensemble — SSAATTBB
More info: https://www.aetlavocalensemble.com/om-aetla/
AKELA — string quartet.
More info: https://www.akelaquartet.com/om-os
K!ART — experimental music ensemble. 5 performers: guitar, keyboards, percussion, clarinet, cello.
More info: https://klart.net/Information
Athelas Sinfonietta — 1,1,1,1/1,1,1,0/2perc.,pno.,hp/1,1,1,1,1. With the possibility for string extension and soloist.
More info: https://athelas.dk/
NEKO3 — experimental music ensemble. 3 performers: perc., perc., pno.
More info: https://www.neko3cph.com/about
Most of the festival will take place in the heart of Copenhagen. We have The Royal Danish Academy of Music as a collaborator. Several concerts will take place there, where we can also accommodate 3D works for up to 48 loudspeakers. We also have an outdoor venue. Other venues include Koncertkirken, Literaturhaus and more.
UNM Danmark is grateful to receive genrous support from Dansk Komponistforening and Koda Kultur.
