Nwanoku founded the ensemble in 2015
The founder and artistic director of the Chineke! Orchestra, double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku, has announced that she has departed the organisation after eleven years.
‘I founded Chineke! in 2015 with the belief that classical music should reflect the world we live in,’ she shared. ‘Over eleven years, we built Europe’s first professional orchestra and junior orchestra of its kind, performed on many of the world’s leading stages, and brought entirely new audiences to classical music.
‘I am immensely proud of every musician and young person who came through the organisation, and of everything that grew from a vision many believed was impossible. The work of improving representation in classical music is far from complete, and I will continue to champion that cause in the next chapter of my career.’
The chair of the Chineke! Foundation Board, Frank Douglas, expressed the organisation’s gratitude to its departing founder.
‘On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to pay tribute to Chi-chi’s vision, determination and achievements in founding and leading the organisation over its first eleven years. Her work has created opportunities for established and emerging Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians and established an organisation whose impact will be felt for many years.
‘Chineke! would not exist without her vision, determination and leadership, and we thank her for that extraordinary contribution. We wish Chi-chi every success in the future.’
News of Nwanoku’s upcoming project will be announced later in October.
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