The ensemble was born in 1989 out of the need to boost the contemporary music scene in Bergen and Norway at large. With exceptional instrumentalists and their intrinsic passion for new music, BIT20 have taken their repertoire on the road, from renowned festivals and venues in Europe to more remote destinations such as Vietnam, Egypt, and Canada. BIT20 are also keen to continue nurturing their local roots and have in recent years done a great deal of work for and with their audience in their hometown of Bergen. They have assumed the mantle of responsibility for new Norwegian music and have commissioned and premiered hundreds of works as well as recording some of them. BIT20 consists of sixteen regular members, several of whom hold principal or assistant principal positions in Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Without limiting themselves to performances on the stage, they are also involved in outreach projects as both performers and mentors. The ensemble has won two Norwegian Grammys.