Skip to main content
Close-up of Chineke! Orchestra musicians
View all events for category: Classical music

Chineke! Orchestra Celebrates a Decade

The orchestra begins a year of celebrations marking its tenth anniversary with a performance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which also hosted its 2015 debut.

This landmark year celebrates not only musical excellence and diversity but also its role in illuminating works of previously overlooked composers, reinforcing its commitment to an inclusive classical music world.

Europe’s pioneering orchestra for majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians, Chineke! Orchestra has not only elevated musical talents but also redefined the classical music industry’s landscape, embedding diversity and inclusivity at its core.

The orchestra’s decade-long journey has seen them herald outstanding young musicians and neglected historical composers, as well as commissioning new works and introducing new narratives that have enriched the classical repertoire.

Chineke!’s initiatives have sparked a global conversation on representation, urging classical music institutions worldwide to embrace a more inclusive approach.

At the heart of Chineke!’s mission is the nurturing of young talent. The Chineke! Juniors programme has been pivotal in launching the international careers of lauded soloists, conductors and composers, underlining Chineke!’s role in shaping the future of classical music.

This anniversary is also a reaffirmation of Chineke!’s commitment to enriching the classical music landscape. Chineke!’s vision for the future is clear: to continue fostering a space where classical music mirrors the diversity of society.

This concert honours the achievements of Chineke! Orchestra, whose journey underscores the power of music as a force for change, nurturing talent and promoting inclusivity.

Chineke! invites us to continue to work towards a future where diversity is not just accepted, but embraced as the foundation of a richer, more inclusive world.

Performers

Chineke! Orchestra

Matthew Kofi Waldren conductor

RENU (Renu Hossain) tabla

Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno nyatiti

Richard Olátundé Baker talking drums

Roderick Williams baritone

Yomi Sode narrator

Repertoire

Shirley J Thompson: Fanfare for Chineke! (World premiere)

Julian Joseph: Carry that sound

Roderick Williams: 3 Songs from Ethiopia Boy

Interval

Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate

Ayanna Witter-Johnson: Creation (1st movement)

Daniel Kidane: Ruin (2nd movement)

Shirley J Thompson: Recovery (3rd movement)

Roderick Williams: Redemption (4th movement)

James B Wilson: Free-man

Daniel Kidane: Dream song *

Need to know

Age guidance
For ages 7+
Event information

* Change to repertoire from originally advertised

Queen Elizabeth Hall at 6.15pm: pre-concert talk with the composers featured in the performance. Admission free.

For your visit

This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre

The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.