The Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra (OCO)
Formed in 1972, the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra (OCO) is one of the best-known Finnish orchestras in the international arena. Under its founder, conductor Juha Kangas, it established an ambitious profile marked by a dynamic, quick-to-react sound and a repertoire stretching from the Baroque to the present day. Juha Kangas served as the orchestra’s Artistic Director until the end of 2008 and is now its Honorary Conductor.Collaboration with composer Pehr Henrik Nordgren (1944–2008) spanning many decades is one example of the partnerships on which the OCO’s eminence is founded. The orchestra’s active role in promoting contemporary music has yielded over 190 premieres, many of which it has commissioned. The OCO has close relations with both Finnish composers and others in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Enjoying a wide international reputation, it has been awarded such honours as the Nordic Council Music Prize in 1993.The OCO has made over 80 recordings that have won acclaim and spread its name abroad. Recent examples are the CD of the Hamburg Symphonies by C.Ph.E. Bach conducted by Sakari Oramo (the Orchestra’s Artistic Director 2013–2019) that won a Finnish classical Emma in 2014 and was nominated as Record of the Year by the BBC Music Magazine, and A Finnish Elegy (Alba, 2018), conducted by Juha Kangas and nominated for both an Emma and an International Classical Music Award.In addition to performing in its home town, Kokkola, the OCO regularly tours both in Finland and abroad. In summer 2019 it made a return visit to the celebrated Würzburg Mozart Festival in Germany. Outside Europe, it has held concerts in Japan and New York.Sakari Oramo has been succeeded as Artistic Director by Swedish violinist Malin Broman, a renowned soloist, chamber musician and music director, who took over in autumn 2019.

Tomas Djupsjöbacka
Known as a versatile musician with strong roots in chamber music, Djupsjöbacka is the founding cellist of the string quartet Meta4 as well as a member of the renowned Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Since his conducting debut in 2013 with the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, Djupsjöbacka has appeared with most of the Finnish orchestras including debuts with the Finnish Radio Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic, Sinfonia Lahti and Oulu Sinfonia. He regularly guest conducts the Turku Philharmonic, Jyväskylä Sinfonia and AVANTI! Djupsjöbacka has premiered works by Jukka Tiensuu, Veli Kujala, Sampo Haapamäki and Mikko Heiniö often teaming up with unusual partners such as dancers, jugglers or foley-artists.

Djupsjöbacka studied conducting privately with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music director of the New York Metropolitan opera. He completed his studies in the conducting program of the Sibelius Academy in 2017 and has also participated in master classes by Jorma Panula.

Tomas Djupsjöbacka has been appointed Principal conductor and artistic director of Vaasa City orchestra starting in 2021. He worked as the first ever Principal Guest Conductor of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra from autumn 2019 to summer 2022.