Swedish Society of Composers

Representing professional composers in Sweden since 1918

The Swedish Society of Composers represents professional composers who are active in the field of contemporary classical music composition. It was founded in 1918 by some of the most renowned Swedish composers of the day – people like Kurt Atterberg, Hugo Alfvén, Oskar Lindberg, Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Ture Rangström, Wilhelm Stenhammar and others. FST’s objectives are the artistic, financial and social interests of its members, and to promote Swedish music nationwide as well as worldwide, and  to promote Swedish musical culture in general.

FST has today over 400 members of whom the majority are active composers. Other members are either elected as associate members or as honorary members that have supported and encouraged contemporary Swedish music in their different professions. You find composers biographies, books, scores and parts and more at the Swedish Music Information Centre. Composers who write contemporary classical music and are affiliated to Stim, are welcome to apply for membership. For more information about election criteria, etc. contact the FST office.

Stim’s founders

It was FST who in 1923 founded Stim, the Swedish Performing Rights Society, recognising that the monitoring and administration of copyright and royalties took too much time away from the political debate about music, and from actually composing music. Since then, FST has been represented on Stim’s board and in various committees related to Stim’s activities.

National, Nordic and international co-operation

Ever since its foundation, FST has maintained wide-ranging contacts with composer organisations in other countries, and has campaigned actively to strengthen international co-operation both in artistic and copyright matters. Nordic co-operation within the Nordic Composers´ Council (Nordisk komponistråd) is particularly active. FST works closely with other artistic organisations, through KLYS, the Swedish Joint Committée for Artistic and Literary Professionals. Moreover FST is the body to which political proposals involving music are referred. FST is also represented on the boards of various institutions, foundations and administrative groups involved in music.

FST’s organisation and internal working

The board consists of eight active composers. The administrative headquarters are located in Stockholm, and meetings are held once a month. Our work ranges from giving financial and legal advice, arranging conferences and education and even the music festival Nordic Music Days every five years.