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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. 

In 2017, the Chineke! Orchestra made its BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall in August and performed at many other leading festivals throughout Europe including Lucerne Festival and Edinburgh Festival, all to great critical acclaim. The ensemble is currently a Resident Orchestra at the Southbank Centre. Chineke! has released five CDs to date, which you can hear on Spotify.

The Chineke! Ensemble comprises the principal players of the Chineke! Orchestra. It has performed in Manchester in 2017 and made its debut at Wigmore Hall in 2018 before going on to play at the Cheltenham and Ryedale festivals. It has since performed at the Tonbridge Music Club, Wimbledon International Festival, Cambrige Music Festival, St George's Bristol and Snape Maltings.

Chineke!'s founder, Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE, says: ‘My aim is to create a space where Black and ethnically diverse musicians can walk on stage and know that they belong, in every sense of the word. If even one Black child feels that their colour is getting in the way of their musical ambitions, then I hope to inspire them, give them a platform, and show them that music, of whatever kind, is for all people.’

In the words of Sir Simon Rattle: ‘Chineke! is not only an exciting idea but a profoundly necessary one. The kind of idea which is so obvious that you wonder why it is not already in place. The kind of idea which could deepen and enrich classical music in the UK for generations. What a thrilling prospect!’

Chineke! Orchestra

Orchestra

Approved

2024

2023

2022

2021

2019

include virtual contributors

context entity

Pianist

Violinist

Cellist

Violist

Flautist

Clarinettist

Double Bass Player

Hornist

Percussionist

Oboist

Guitarist

Trumpetist

Organist

Bassoonist

Trombonist

Harpist

Saxophonist

Harpsichordist

Accordionist

Tuba Player

Bassist

Recorder Player

Lutenist

Bandoneón Player

Timpani

Mandolinist

Harmonium Player

Chorus

Concertmaster

Theorbist

Marimbist

Vibraphonist

Oud player

Drummer

Cornett

Pipa Player

Ondes Martenot Player

Archlutenist

Baroque Flutist

Electric Bass Guitarist

Tabla Player

Tenor Violinist

Guzheng Player

Euphonium Player

Bagpipe Player

Sitar Player

Sackbut Player

Dulcian Player

Baroque Oboist

Pan Flute Player

Qanun Player

Mridangam Player

Ney Player

Sheng Player

Bass Clarinettist

Baroque Trumpetist

Chalumeau Player

Psaltery Player

Accompanist

Synthesizer Player

Suona Player

Violino Piccolo Player

Hurdy-gurdy Player

Citternist

Claves Player

Alphorn Player

Bayan Player

Didgeridoo Player

Whistle Player

Cuatro Player

Guqin Player

Kantele Player

Kora Player

Lirone Player

Sarod Player

Positive Organ Player

Baroque Cellist

Musette de cour Player

Viola Pomposa Player

Tar Player

Cornu Player

Shvi Player

Tárogató Player

Haegeum Player

Kamancha Player

Lyre Player

Morin Khuur Player

Sarangi Player

Tanpura Player

Vihuela Player

Viola de Cocho Player

Gambist

Continuo

Gayageum Player

Viola d’amore Player

Carillonist

Handpan Player

Shekere Player

Dhol Player

Kanjira Player

Composer

Conductor

Stage director

Librettist

Set designer

Costume designer

Dancer

Choreographer

Actor

Lighting designer

Chorus master

Music editor (publishing)

Music arranger

Video

Dramaturge

Sound designer

Translator

Répétiteur

Makeup artist

Executive producer

Musical Theater performer

Stage manager

Stage combat master

Hairstylist

Narrator

Other

Wigs designer

Puppeteer

Musical director

Violin

Stage technician

Writer

Vocal coach

Photographer

Teacher

Ballet master

Prompter

Illustrator

Surtitler

Technical Director

Electronics

Musicologist

Agent

Film director

Playwright

Broadcaster

Voice Teacher

Journalist

Lyricist

trumpet

Bass Guitar

Piano

Chief Executive Officer

Chorus Director

Casting Director

Muppeteer

Jazz Vocal Artist

Dancers

Assistant director collaborator

Director Of Audiences And Development

Executive Production

Orchestra Operations

PR Manager

Grip

Properties And Scenic Design Director

Stage & Production Manager

Extra

Stage musical director

Artistic Planning & Administration

Soprano

Tenor

Mezzo-soprano

Bass

Baritone

Contralto

Bass-baritone

Child vocalist

Spoken

Chineke! Orchestra

Performance credits

Upcoming performances

Contact

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