Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra

The Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra (Finnish: Keski-Pohjanmaan Kamariorkesteri) is an ensemble based in Kokkola, Western Finland. When configured as a larger symphony orchestra, reinforced with local musicians, the orchestra is referred to as the Kokkola Orchestra. Founded in 1972 by Juha Kangas, the ensemble was originally called Keski-Pohjanmaan Musiikkiopiston Kamariorkesteri (English: Mid-Ostrobothnian Music Institute Chamber Orchestra or Central Ostrobothnian Music Institute Chamber Orchestra). This amateur ensemble made its first recording in 1978 and occasionally rebranded itself as Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra starting in 1981, before becoming a professional ensemble in 1989. To date, the ensemble has produced more than 60 recordings.