The changes, which will take effect on 1 August 2026, primarily involve continuing the current Departments structure with minor adjustments. The website will be updated with new organisational charts and names, but only after the changes formally come into effect this autumn.
New Heads of Academic Departments
The new heads of academic Departments at NMH have been announced following the board’s decision on 5 March to increase the number of academic Departments from seven to eight. Congratulations to the new leaders, and heartfelt thanks to the outgoing leaders for their contributions!
Academic Department Leaders from Autumn 2026
Note: Section names may change—see the note below. The names listed here are the current ones. The sections marked with * are provisional titles, created by splitting the Music Theory, Composition, and Music Technology Deåartment into two.
- Brass, Woodwind and Percussion Department: Julius Pranevicius
- Conducting, Voice and Church Music Department: Marianne Beate Kielland
- Improvised Music, Jazz and Traditional Nordic Folk Music Department: Ivar Grydeland
- Piano, Accompaniment, Guitar and Accordion Department: Trond Schau
- Composition and Music Technology Department*: Rune Rebne
- Music Education and Music Therapy Department: John Vinge
- Music Theory Department *: Anders Førisdal
- String and Harp Department: Elise Båtnes
Learn more about the new leaders on their staff profiles at nmh.no.
Decision from 5 March 2026 on Changing the Number of Academic Departments
"The board approves the proposal to continue the current academic Department structure, with the modification that the existing Department for Music Theory, Composition, and Music Technology will be divided into two departments. This change will take effect from 1 August 2026.
The pricipal and director are asked to assess and implement further adjustments to department affiliations for smaller individual subject areas, and, if necessary, establish new names for the departments.
The board also approves the transfer of formal personnel responsibility for research fellows from the heads of academic sections, while emphasising the importance of ensuring that research fellows remain connected to their respective academic environments. The pricipal and director are tasked with defining and establishing a new arrangement for handling personnel responsibility for research fellows."
We are very pleased to have secured these skilled academic leaders to guide NMH into the future. My team and I in the rectorate look forward to collaborating with them and extend our gratitude to the outgoing leaders for their contributions!
Principal
On department Names
The decision on the new department names has been delegated from the board to the rectorate and will be finalised during the spring semester of 2026. Additionally, there will be a review of how personnel responsibility, authority, and mandates will be allocated to the new leaders.
