About us

Oslo International Church Music Festival is held for 10 days each March. The festival's concerts are held in the churches of Norway's capital city, with Oslo Cathedral as the main venue. The festival programme is announced on 1st of December each year. Oslo International Church Music Festival was founded in 2000 by artistic and festival director Bente Johnsrud, who took the initiative and developed the concept for the festival.

H.R.H Crown Princess Mette-Marit - Oslo International Church Music Festival's Patron

Numbers
- Approx. 600 performers every year with about 10 000 visitors
- Around 30 projects every year
- Approx. 35 partners

Upcoming festival dates:
21-30 March 2025

Oslo International Church Music Festival
2024 marked the twenty fourth Oslo International Church Music Festival and we can now look back on 23 festivals. We are an inclusive forum for church musicians, choirs, orchestras and ensembles, and for people regardless of their affiliation or belief. The festival is a central institution in the development of church music in Norway, and makes a major contribution to Oslo's recognition as an international music capital in Europe. The festival is Norway's largest exhibition of early music and associated international specialist performers, while we garner considerable international attention in our efforts to make contemporary music more visible and accessible through development efforts and educational initiatives.

Oslo International Church Music Festival proves that contemporary music is very much alive in Norway. The festival consistently works to develop projects that move the church music genre forward. We focus on the diversity of church music as a historical genre and we both preserve the tradition and develop it further. The festival's roots in Oslo, combined with the depth of our international performers, make us the leading presenter of church music in Norway and ensures a high level of professional excellence.

The festival is organized as a private foundation. The foundation's board includes representatives from Norway's church, music, cultural and business communities.

Board Members
Municipal Director Sikke Næsheim (Chairman of the Board)
Dean Elisabet Yrwing Guthus (Vice Chairman)
Bishop Kari Veiteberg
Investor Ola Mæle
Cathedral Organist Kåre Nordstoga
Cand.philol. Martha Bronder
Communications Manager at NAF Geir Arne Servan