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The Chineke! Quartet at Draper Hall

In only two years, the Chineke! Orchestra, Europe’s first and only majority BME orchestra, has taken the Classical music world by storm; changing perceptions of Black musicians and Black composers…forever.
Founder, Artistic Director and virtuoso double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE says:
“I want black musicians to walk on to the stage and know they belong…”

For Black History Month, this was a unique opportunity to see Chineke!’s world-class musicians play rarely performed music in the intimate setting of Draper Hall FOR FREE.
Chineke! played string quartets by 18th century black composer Joseph Boulogne (Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges) and 20th century African-American composer Florence B. Price. 

Both composers’ work have been neglected by history and their beautiful music is rarely heard although they were celebrated in their own time.

The recent Chineke! BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall had 10 million views online. The Guardian newspaper gave the concert a 4 star review and said it was,
“…arguably one of the most important concerts that the Proms have ever hosted”.

This Black History Month event was free and very popular with a waiting list of over 30 people. The audience were very impressed with the world-class black musicians as well as learning about the forgotten stories of the black composers.

Chineke! - Championing Change and Celebrating Diversity in Classical Music
www.chineke.org