Chineke Foundation

Chineke Foundation Chineke! Orchestra are Europe's first majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra. Championing change and celebrating diversity in Classical Music 🎻

Europe's first majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra. Championing change and celebrating diversity in Classical Music 🎼 🎻

Inspired by the diverse regions, traditions and musical styles across the Arab world, the 'Arabic Symphony'—a four movem...
01/10/2026

Inspired by the diverse regions, traditions and musical styles across the Arab world, the 'Arabic Symphony'—a four movement work written by The Ayoub Sisters—will receive its London premiere this month at Southbank Centre ✨

Rooted in classical traditions and their Egyptian heritage, the composition began as a violin and piano sonata before expanding into a full showcase of Arabic soundscapes. The piece journeys through vibrant souqs, winding backstreets, and lively town squares, culminating in a triumphant, wedding-inspired finale full of celebratory rhythms and grooves.

Join us on 11th October alongside soprano Axelle Fanyo - Soprano, oboist Armand Djikoloum, and conductor Fawzi Haimor for Arabic Symphony!

🗓️ Sun 11th Oct
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Southbank Centre, London

Find out more and book tickets 🎟️ https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/chineke-orchestra-arabic-symphony/

Our concert on Sunday 11th October at the Southbank Centre will be in honour of trombonist and founding member of the Ch...
30/09/2026

Our concert on Sunday 11th October at the Southbank Centre will be in honour of trombonist and founding member of the Chineke! family, Harry Brown. We will be paying a special tribute to him during the concert.

Young, Gifted & Black is an event specially created for Wimbledon BookFest tracing the reach and resilience of the Black...
29/09/2026

Young, Gifted & Black is an event specially created for Wimbledon BookFest tracing the reach and resilience of the Black diaspora. Curated by Berginald Rash, Clarinet, the programme opens in the Americas with works from William Grant Still and Carlos Simon before crossing the Atlantic for music from Matthew Rooke, Vaughan Williams and Coleridge-Taylor.

An hour-long concert from the Chineke! Chamber Ensemble, comprised of the principal players of the Chineke! Orchestra—and the perfect introduction to classical music!—we hope you'll join us for this transportive evening.

🗓️ Sat 24th Oct
Wimbledon High School, London

Book tickets 🎟️ https://www.wimbledonbookfest.org/events/chineke-orchestra/

Western classical music owes so much to folk traditions from around the globe, so next month we're shining a spotlight o...
23/09/2026

Western classical music owes so much to folk traditions from around the globe, so next month we're shining a spotlight on the places that don't always get their due. Vibrant sounds from the Americas, the Caribbean, India, and Eastern Europe, all woven together for one unforgettable evening, Upstairs at Ronnie's.

And to make the programme personal, each member of the Chineke! Wind Ensemble quintet brings a folk song connected to their own heritage. Expect a musical jukebox that celebrates the versatility of the wind quintet and the traditions that continue to shape classical music.

🗓️ Mon 26th Oct
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London

Find out more and book tickets 🎟️ https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/find-a-show/chineke-wind-ensemble

The Ayoub Sisters' celebration of Arabic music and landscapes tops a kaleidoscopic concert that takes in works by compos...
21/09/2026

The Ayoub Sisters' celebration of Arabic music and landscapes tops a kaleidoscopic concert that takes in works by composers from Ravel to Valerie Coleman. Join us on 11th October alongside soprano Axelle Fanyo - Soprano, oboist Armand Djikoloum, and conductor Fawzi Haimor for Arabic Symphony ✨

🗓️ Sun 11th Oct
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Southbank Centre, London

Find out more and book tickets 🎟️ https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/chineke-orchestra-arabic-symphony/

21/09/2026

From Cape Town to Europe, Porgy & Bess has travelled far — and at the heart of its movement was celebrated choreographer and director Yaseen Manuel.

An award-winning artist known for his distinctive visual and artistic vision, Yaseen brought his unique choreographic language to Cape Town Opera’s production of Porgy & Bess, shaping the physical world of the story through movement, rhythm and human connection.

Formally trained at Jazzart Dance Theatre, Yaseen went on to spend a decade with Unmute Dance Theatre, South Africa’s only full-time integrated dance company, while also working with New World Dance Theatre. His career has taken him from major South African festivals to international stages across Switzerland, Italy, France, Russia, Germany, Korea, Ghana, Liverpool and Réunion Island.

His work has earned him numerous commissions and accolades, including the Jomba Dance Award (2019), Andrew Mellon Award (2021) and Phakamisa Award (2024).

As Founder of Rakat Dance Company, Yaseen continues to create work that engages with real-life issues and connects with audiences across borders.

Composer: George Gershwin
Librettist: DuBose Heyward
Conductor: Enrique Mazzola
Orchestra: Chineke! Orchestra
Director: Magdalene Minnaar
Choreographer: Yaseen Manuel
Costume Designer: Maritha Visagie

🗓️ 11th September
, Paris
🗓️ 13th September
, Lucerne
🗓️ 15th September
, Berlin
🗓️ 17th September
, Antwerp
🗓️ 18th September
, Dortmund

Europe, it's been a blast!Just one night left of our Porgy and Bess tour with Cape Town Opera and we've loved every mome...
18/09/2026

Europe, it's been a blast!

Just one night left of our Porgy and Bess tour with Cape Town Opera and we've loved every moment. We hope you enjoy these photos from our performance earlier this week at the Berliner Philharmoniker ✨

Copyright: © Berliner Festspiele / Photo: Fabian Schellhorn

Drama, beauty, and an unforgettable evening of music in Paris! We hope you enjoy these stunning photos from the opening ...
16/09/2026

Drama, beauty, and an unforgettable evening of music in Paris! We hope you enjoy these stunning photos from the opening night of our Porgy and Bess tour at the Philharmonie de Paris with Cape Town Opera 🎶

Drop us a comment if you were there on the night!

Final rehearsals for Porgy and Bess with Chineke! Orchestra at Watford Colosseum 💙🐟📸 Photos by Luke PalletComposer: Geor...
15/09/2026

Final rehearsals for Porgy and Bess with Chineke! Orchestra at Watford Colosseum 💙🐟

📸 Photos by Luke Pallet

Composer: George Gershwin
Librettist: DuBose Heyward
Conductor: Enrique Mazzola
Orchestra: Chineke! Orchestra
Director: Magdalene Minnaar
Choreographer: Yaseen Manuel
Costume Designer: Maritha Visagie

🗓️ 11th September, Paris
🗓️ 13th September, Lucerne
🗓️ 15th September, Berlin
🗓️ 17th September, Antwerp
🗓️ 18th September, Dortmund

10/09/2026

"Bess is just like any South African girl that you could meet who was raised and brought up in a township..."

Nonhlanhla Yende, however, is an exceptional woman and performer who emotionally charges the unique role that is Bess in Porgy and Bess.

Composer: George Gershwin
Librettist: DuBose Heyward
Conductor: Enrique Mazzola
Orchestra: Chineke! Orchestra
Director: Magdalene Minnaar
Choreographer: Yaseen Manuel
Costume Designer: Maritha Visagie

🗓️ 11th September
Paris
🗓️ 13th September
Lucerne
🗓️ 15th September
Berlin
🗓️ 17th September
Antwerp
🗓️ 18th September
Dortmund

Video by Quiver Films

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