Chineke! Orchestra Celebrates a Decade

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Fri 24 Jan 2025, 7.30pm
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Classical music
From £15
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Close-up of Chineke! Orchestra musicians
Ntando Brown

The orchestra begins a year of celebrations marking its tenth anniversary with a performance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which also hosted its 2015 debut.

This landmark year celebrates not only musical excellence and diversity but also its role in illuminating works of previously overlooked composers, reinforcing its commitment to an inclusive classical music world.

Europe's pioneering orchestra for majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians, Chineke! Orchestra has not only elevated musical talents but also redefined the classical music industry's landscape, embedding diversity and inclusivity at its core.

The orchestra’s decade-long journey has seen them herald outstanding young musicians and neglected historical composers, as well as commissioning new works and introducing new narratives that have enriched the classical repertoire.

Chineke!'s initiatives have sparked a global conversation on representation, urging classical music institutions worldwide to embrace a more inclusive approach.

At the heart of Chineke!'s mission is the nurturing of young talent. The Chineke! Juniors programme has been pivotal in launching the international careers of lauded soloists, conductors and composers, underlining Chineke!'s role in shaping the future of classical music.

This anniversary is also a reaffirmation of Chineke!'s commitment to enriching the classical music landscape. Chineke!'s vision for the future is clear: to continue fostering a space where classical music mirrors the diversity of society.

This concert honours the achievements of Chineke! Orchestra, whose journey underscores the power of music as a force for change, nurturing talent and promoting inclusivity.

Chineke! invites us to continue to work towards a future where diversity is not just accepted, but embraced as the foundation of a richer, more inclusive world.

Performers
  • Chineke! Orchestra
Repertoire
  • Hannah Kendall: The spark catchers
  • James B Wilson: Free-man
  • Ayanna Witter-Johnson: Blush
  • Julian Joseph: Carry that sound
  • Roderick Williams: 3 Songs from Ethiopia Boy for voice & orchestra
  • : Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate
  • Ayanna Witter-Johnson: Creation (1st movement)
  • Daniel Kidane: Ruin (2nd movement)
  • Shirley Thompson: Recovery (3rd movement)
  • Roderick Williams: Redemption (4th movement)
  • James B Wilson: Remnants

Need to know

Age recommendation

For ages 7+

Dates & times

Fri 24 Jan 2025, 7.30pm
Approximate run time: 2 hours.
Run times may vary by up to 20 minutes as they can be affected by last-minute programme changes, intervals and encores.

Price

  • Standard entryFrom £15*
  • Concessions25%**


* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.

Book as early as you can to ensure the best choice of tickets. Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.

** Limited availability. Read about concessions.

Tickets can only be sold through the Southbank Centre and our authorised agents, and can't be resold. You can return your tickets to the Southbank Centre for a credit voucher up to 48 hours before the event. Tickets resold on any third-party platforms will become invalid.

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Multi-buy discount

Classical music: Autumn/Winter 2024/25
As part of our classical music multi-buy offer, book multiple Autumn/Winter 2024/25 concerts in the same transaction to receive a discount:
 

  • 3 – 4 events: 10% discount
  • 5 – 7 events: 15% discount
  • 8 – 10 events: 20% discount
  • 11 – 14 events: 25% discount
  • 15+ events: 30% discount

 
Discounts apply to selected events, September 2024 – January 2025 inclusive. Offer can't be combined with the Spring/Summer 2024 multi-buy.

See all events in our Autumn/Winter 2024/25 multi-buy offer

Venue

Queen Elizabeth Hall

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The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open 90 minutes before events

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More information

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Frequently asked questions

Get an overview of the seating layout of Queen Elizabeth Hall by downloading our seating plan.

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Toilets

An accessible toilet is located in the foyer.

A Changing Places toilet is located on Level 1 Royal Festival Hall next to the JCB Glass Lift, for the exclusive use of disabled people who need personal assistance to use the toilet.

The facility includes a height-adjustable bench, tracking hoist system, a centrally-placed toilet, a height-adjustable basin and a shower. Please visit the Welcome Desk on Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, where a member of staff can provide you with the key. You can also use the phone next to the Changing Places toilet to speak to a member of staff. The facility is open daily 10am – 11pm.

Cloakroom

The Queen Elizabeth Hall cloakroom is closed. You won’t be able to bring any bags over 40 x 25 x 25cm into the Queen Elizabeth Hall, so please leave large bags at home.

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Please note that we're unable to accept cash payments across our site. 

For step-free access from the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road off Belvedere Road to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating (excluding rows A to C) and wheelchair spaces in the Rear Stalls, plus Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer and the Purcell Room, please use the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance.

To reach this entrance, enter the Royal Festival Hall via the Southbank Centre Square Doors. Take the JCB Glass Lift to Level 2 and exit to the Riverside Terrace. Turn right to find the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance.

You can also use the external lift near the Artists' Entrance on Southbank Centre Square to reach Mandela Walk, Level 2. 

For access to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating rows A to C and wheelchair spaces in the Front Stalls, please enter via the Artists' Entrance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road (Level 1).

Talk to a member of staff at the auditorium entrance if you have a disability that means you can’t queue, or you need extra time to take your seat. They can arrange priority entry for you as soon as the doors open.

Please bear with us while we update our access map to reflect the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces. The step-free routes remain the same.

Download step-free access map

More about Access and facilities

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