15.09.2025

Kasmir Uusitupa appointed new Artistic Director of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra

 - Uusitupa's term begins in autumn 2026

The next artistic director of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra will be conductor and violinist Kasmir Uusitupa. Uusitupa will begin his term in the autumn of 2026, but will perform with the orchestra on several occasions before then.

Since autumn 2019, the Artistic Director of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra (OCO) has been Swedish violinist Malin Broman. Kasmir Uusitupa, who will take the helm in autumn 2026, is no stranger to the audience in Kokkola: he has previously appeared both as a violin soloist and as a conductor with the orchestra. This autumn, Uusitupa will perform in Kokkola as a soloist in the concert celebrating the 80th birthday of the orchestra’s founder and honorary conductor, Juha Kangas. He will also conduct this season’s ’Taidetestaajat’ concerts. Since autumn 2024, he has contributed to the orchestra’s artistic planning as a member of the OCO’s programming committee.

Uusitupa has established himself as one of the most versatile musicians of the new generation. His extensive experience as a violinist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader has naturally led him to pursue a career in conducting. His conducting studies began in the masterclasses of Jorma Panula and continued at the Sibelius Academy in the conducting class of Professor Sakari Oramo. He is currently completing his Master’s degree under the guidance of Professor Susanna Mälkki. Since 2022, Uusitupa has served as the conductor of the Helsinki Strings. He is also the second concertmaster of the Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet.

Kasmir Uusitupa says: “The Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra is a top-class string ensemble with truly unique roots – one of a kind in Finland. It is a great honour to begin close collaboration with this wonderful group, which already feels like family to me. My connection with the orchestra also feels very natural because, as a child, I played a lot of folk music, and the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival was a highlight of many summers. During my term, I hope to share this sense of connection as much as possible with our audiences as well."

"I believe it is important to make the orchestra’s work more familiar and accessible to new audiences, while always respecting its fundamental role in the community – to serve everyone and enrich the surrounding cultural landscape. I want to cherish our existing collaborations and encourage new ones, both locally and internationally. In these times, we need opportunities to pause from everyday life, to be moved, and to truly listen”, he continues.

Malin Broman comments: ”I am so excited for the orchestra, Kasmir and Kokkola audience for this next step in the history of OCO. It has been such a joy and a privilege to be the artistic director of this gem of an orchestra. I pass on the baton looking forward to following Kasmir and OCO’s bright future.”

Emilia Otava, Acting General Manager of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, says: “We warmly welcome Kasmir and look forward with great enthusiasm to our future collaboration. He has proven to be an inspiring, dedicated, and versatile artist, whose presence I believe will bring a refreshing energy to both the orchestra and our audiences.”

(press release - free for publishing)