CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA
What is Chineke!
The Chineke! Foundation's work is beautifully summarized by its motto, “Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music.” The Foundation was created in 2015 to provide career opportunities to established and up-and-coming Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) classical musicians in the United Kingdom and in Europe. Chineke! has become a catalyst for increasing the representation of BME musicians in British and European orchestras.
The Foundation’s flagship ensemble is the Chineke! Orchestra, Europe's first majority-BME orchestra, which comprises exceptional musicians from across the continent brought together in concert. The Orchestra performs a mixture of standard repertoire along with the works of BME composers past and present.
Chineke! is the brainchild of Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, who has said: “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.”
Sir Simon Rattle adds: “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!”
After its launch concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall in September of 2015, the Chineke! Orchestra was appointed an Associate Orchestra of the Southbank Centre.
Founder Chi-chi Nwanoku coined Chineke!'s name from the word “Chi'” in the Igbo language, which refers to “the god of creation of all good things,” or “the spirit of creation.” The second part of the name “neke” means “makes” in Igbo. So the short description of the word is “God makes (or creates).” Nwanoku was inspired by the use of the term in the novel Things Fall Apart by Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe.
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We hope you will enjoy the selections below to learn more about Chineke! Orchestra.
Chi Chi Nwanoku’s TED Talk about Chineke! (21.02 minutes)
Stewart Goodyear talking about his composition, Callallo. CLICK HERE (1.18 minutes)
And last, this 7-minute video of Stewart Goodyear playing a Beethoven sonata on a street piano in Toronto in 2012. This is evidence of the talent we would have experienced if he’d been able to play for CAMA. CLICK HERE. (7.25 minutes)
CAMA is grateful to Dr. David Malvinni for creating a video lecture about Chineke! Orchestra. Click here to watch Dr. Malvinni's lecture (approx. 26 minutes)
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The following had been scheduled for Tuesday April 14, 2020 at The Granada Theatre. This would have been the fourth concert in CAMA's International Series season 2019/2020.
Chineke! Orchestra
Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, FRAM, HonFTL, Founder, Artistic & Executive Director, Chineke! Foundation and string bassist
Kevin John Edusei, conductor
Stewart Goodyear, pianist & composer
PROGRAM
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1912): Ballade for Orchestra in A Minor, Op.33
Stewart Goodyear (b.1978): Callaloo—A Carribean Suite for Piano and Orchestra, Stewart Goodyear, piano
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897): Symphony No.2 in D Major, Op.73
Musical Resources
We are happy to share some excellent musical experiences being offered both on radio and online. We will add these resources to CAMA's website under the COMMUNITY tab.
Listen each weekday evening at 6 pm (PT) KUSC presents At home with Gustavo. A special Spanish edition "En Casa con Gustavo" is offered on Sunday evenings at 7 pm (PT) and on demand. Click here.
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Enjoy a series of recital/lectures made by Sir András Schiff at Wigmore Hall, London. The topic is all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas. One each day will last until May. From Mark Trueblood, 'They are fascinating, Sir András at his best.' Click here.
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Join join Camerata Pacifica for weekly Concerts at Home broadcasts every Sunday. 10am PT - YouTube Live; 11.30am PT - Facebook Live; 6pm PT - YouTube Live. Click here.
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Watch Festival Archive Concerts from the Ojai Music Festival. Beginning April 14. Click here.
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Visit Opera Santa Barbara as they share performances of The Crucible and Eugene Oregon. OSB will leave productions up for one week following the live webcast. Follow the Opera SB Facebook page to stay updated.
Robert Ward’s The Crucible – Tuesday, April 14 at 5pm PDT
Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin – Tuesday, April 21 at 5pm PDT
Last week's presentation was Daniel Catán’s Il Postino (The Postman).
CAMA is now on Instagram!
