The Chineke! Foundation was established in 2015 to provide career opportunities to young Black and minority Ethnic (BmE) classical musicians in the UK and Europe. Chineke!’s motto is: ‘Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music’. The organisation aims to be a catalyst for change, realising existing diversity targets within the industry by increasing the representation of BmE musicians in British and European orchestras.

The Foundation’s flagship ensemble, the Chineke! Orchestra, is comprised of exceptional musicians from across the continent brought together multiple times per year. As Europe’s first majority-BmE orchestra, the Chineke! performs a mixture of standard orchestral repertoire along with the works of BmE composers both past and present.

Chineke! is the brainchild of Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, who says: ‘my aim is to create a space where BmE musicians can walk on stage and know that they belong, in every sense of the word. If even one BmE 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.’

The aims of the Chineke! Foundation and Orchestra are certainly ambitious. 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!’