The nonprofit organization Ostrava Center for New Music (OCNM) is a broad international platform that initiates the creation and performance of 21st-century concert music and new opera, as well as avant-garde compositions from the 20th century. It places particular emphasis on large symphonic orchestras, the younger generation of composers, and works of an experimental, original nature. At the heart of this mission is the three-week Ostrava Days Institute and Festival, which has taken place biennially in Ostrava every August since 2001. Currently, it brings together around 200 musicians from around the world. Across generations of composers and performers, Ostrava becomes a space for discussion, creative exchange, and, most importantly, an intensive process of studying and performing contemporary music. Each biennial presents approximately 90 works in Czech and world premieres. Under the artistic direction of Petr Kotík, OCNM also engages in pioneering efforts.

In 2017, ONO – Ostrava New Orchestra was founded to serve the needs of the Ostrava Days festival. This international youth orchestra consists of approximately 85 musicians from across Europe who share a strong passion for performing contemporary music. Under the leadership of conductors such as Peter Rundel, Johannes Kalitzke, Petr Kotík, and Bruno Ferrandis, and with the support of musicians from Ostravská banda, they have gained invaluable experience. The energy of the young performers in ONO is incredibly powerful, and the orchestra is capable of mastering even the most challenging 21st-century scores.

The resident chamber orchestra Ostravská banda was founded in 2005. This now renowned ensemble, composed of passionate and top-tier performers/soloists of contemporary music, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Its members (around 35 musicians) come to Ostrava from all over the world. Throughout their tours, they have visited countries across Europe and performed several times in New York. During the NODO festival, Ostravská banda also forms the core of the opera orchestra.

OCNM also has its resident mixed choir, Canticum Ostrava, which we founded in 2003 with its conductor Jurij Galatenko. The choir brings together singers from the National Theatre of Moravian-Silesian and students and graduates of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ostrava. The choir is capable of performing even the most demanding compositions of contemporary vocal music, as well as works such as Luigi Nono's scores or the microtonal music of Alois Hába.

In 2012, at the initiative of the director of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre, Jiří Nekvasil, the NODO / New Opera Days Ostrava festival was held for the first time. We organize it biennially in close collaboration with this institution, which provides us with facilities and technical support. We initiate new opera works, revisit extraordinary achievements in opera theatre from the second half of the 20th century, and, in an international context, collaborate with other opera houses and prominent world-class soloists.

Since 2018, we have been organizing the "Essential" concerts at DOX+ in Prague, where we present rarely performed, yet key composers of the 20th and 21st centuries in the Czech Republic—such as Morton Feldman, Iannis Xenakis, Bernhard Lang, Frederic Rzewski, and Salvatore Sciarrino. Our programming also focuses on specific themes, with our latest (autumn 2025) exploring the connection between Ostrava and New York.

We support the creation of new compositions, filling post-industrial Ostrava with authentic music and programs that attract audiences from abroad. We publish books, release CDs, stream music of today, and manage a YouTube channel with festival documentaries and selected operas. In short, we do everything we can to ensure that contemporary music is heard as much as possible in the Czech Republic, and that Ostrava becomes a marketplace of opportunities and a key hub for contemporary musicians and curious listeners from all corners of the world.

We thank you for every contribution that helps us continue our work!