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
* 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.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.