Chineke! was founded in 2015 by the double bass player, Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE, to provide career opportunities for Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe. Chineke!’s mission is: ‘Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music’.

The Chineke! Orchestra, the Foundation’s flagship ensemble, works closely with its sister ensemble, the Chineke! Junior Orchestra, a youth orchestra of Black and ethnically diverse players aged between 11 and 22, with senior players acting as mentors, teachers and role models to the young musicians.

Chineke! Impact
Impact

Chineke! Impact

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Ethnically diverse composers

Ethnically diverse composers

The Chineke! Orchestra includes works by Black and ethnically diverse composers in every concert programme, championing composers from the past who have been overlooked and neglected, including Ignatius Sancho, Joseph Bologne, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Florence B. Price, Avril Coleridge-Taylor, William Grant-Still, William Dawson and George Walker, and performing, commissioning and recording the music of living Black composers including Valerie Coleman, Stewart Goodyear, Philip Herbert, Julian Joseph, Hannah Kendall, Daniel Kidane, Jessie Montgomery, Brian Nabors, Carlos Simon, Errollyn Wallen, Roderick Williams andJames B. Wilson.

Another phenomenon of Chineke! is the audiences, which the evidence shows are far more ethnically diverse than at most classical concerts.

Many cultural organisations such as the BBC, Association of British Orchestras, Royal Philharmonic Society and Arts Council England have supported Chineke!. After its launch concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall in September 2015, the Chineke! Orchestra was appointed as an Associate Orchestra of Southbank Centre and became a Resident Orchestra in 2022. In 2023 Chineke! became an Arts Council England “National Portfolio Organisation” with significant grant support which will enable them to continue their work across England.

CHINEKE! Mission

Diversity in Classical Music

Chineke!’s motto is: ‘Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music’.

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