Chineke! Orchestra wins inaugural Royal Philharmonic Society Gamechanger Award
Chineke! Orchestra has been awarded the Gamechanger Award at this year's RPS Music Awards (announced PM Thursday 28 November). The new award is presented by the RPS Board of Trustees and Council for inspirational and transformative work breaking new ground in classical music.
The RPS Music Awards citation, delivered by RPS Chairman John Gilhooly OBE, said:
“For too long, classical music has looked like the preserve of a certain kind of person performing for a certain kind of audience. Many have likely seen little wrong with that, largely because they saw themselves in the picture. But the world keeps reminding us again and again that there are those who scarcely see themselves in the picture and consequently feel that they don’t belong there. The recipient of the first ever RPS Gamechanger Award set out to address this and has done so in exhilarating, inspiring and indelible style.
In 2015 Britain’s first majority Black and Minority Ethnic orchestra Chineke! Was established by the double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE intent on showing us all the wealth of BME musical talent. Chineke! Not only filled the stage with BME artists, it did something doubly extraordinary. It instantly drew a far more diverse audience to our concert halls and to our classical repertoire. Attend any Chineke! Concert and you will experience an excitement that unites the audiences and performers and matches the balance and vitality of the music.
Since its launch, it’s been humbling to see the orchestra continue to grow in artistry, restoring BME composers past and present to their rightful place amongst those we regularly revere and foster new generations of talent through the joyful Chineke! Junior Orchestra. Chineke! Came out of nowhere and it is now almost impossible to imagine the music profession without it. In every facet the Chineke! Foundation is an example to us all of the change we can achieve if we set our heart on it. Moreover, it is a collective of musicians showing the relevance of classical music to the world and boldly saying: Look what can be achieved through music. So on behalf of the Board and Council of the Royal Philharmonic Society I am very pleased to present the 2019 Gamechanger Award to Chineke! ”
Chineke! founder Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, who collected the award at the RPS Music Awards ceremony at Battersea Arts Centre, said:
“Thank you Royal Philharmonic Society for creating this new award and for choosing us as its first recipient. It’s an honour to receive this inaugural Game-changer Award on behalf of Chineke!. Winning this comes at a challenging and changing time in our country’s history and political climate.
Understanding & bringing people together through music, regardless of ethnic, economic, social and cultural backgrounds has never been more important than it is now. And I hope by us, the Chineke! Foundation being recognised positively as Game-changers, that it’ll carry a message throughout our industry that we all focus not on what is lost, but by what is gained by creating greater diversity, inclusion & ultimately, belonging.
We recognise that change isn’t always or necessarily for the better, however, we hope and believe in this instance a serious game in terms of history and tradition has been changed in a positive direction. Both Chineke! Orchestra and Chineke! Junior Orchestra have contributed to changing people’s expectations and perceptions of the classical music industry, its performance and delivery. As such we’re happy and proud to accept this award in recognition of positive and irreversible change for the future, from which all members of our industry will benefit.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who’ve supported Chineke! on this journey; Southbank Centre where we’re proud to be an Associate Orchestra, Arts Council England, and many Trusts and Foundations and individuals. And very importantly my wonderful management team, Board and Chineke! musicians for everything that they’ve done to ensure that Chineke! has changed the game over the past four years. Thank you all, and thank you Royal Philharmonic Society.”
BBC Radio 3 will broadcast highlights from the event on 1 December at 8:45pm.
View the full list of winners here.