The Norwegian Naval Forces’ Band has roots dating back to 1792 and makes its home in Bergenhus Fortress in Bergen.
It is one of Norway’s five professional military bands, and consists of 27 highly educated, rigorously professional musicians who make up a dynamic and exceptionally versatile ensemble.
The band performs in a variety of military and civilian settings and covers a wide range of musical genres: traditional military, classical, jazz, pop, rock, folk, and contemporary. It has particularly distinguished itself in the field of contemporary music with numerous first performances of works, festival performances, critically acclaimed CD recordings, and, not least, as recipient of the Performer of the Year Award for 2008 given by the Norwegian Society of Composers.
The Norwegian Naval Forces’ Band is otherwise a flagship of the large concert band community in Western Norway and an example for thousands of band musicians of all ages. It maintains a wide range of programs for children and young people throughout the region.
Commanding officer is Trine Minken Amble, Lieutenant Commander. Ingar Bergby was the band’s artistic director from 2015 to 2020. He was awarded the Norwegian Society of Composers’ Performer of the Year Award for 2010 together with the artistic director from 2011 to 2013, Peter Szilvay.
As the Norwegian Naval Forces’ Band enters new and exciting times, it continues to offer the best of both tradition and innovation!