Podcasts about nwanoku

Welcome to the Blink Friction Arts Podcast and the Music Crazy Robots.Today we are holding the Low End: exploring Renowned Female Double Bass Players Who Changed the GameWhen we think of double bass players, it's easy to conjure images of towering instruments, smoky jazz clubs, and the deep rumble of classical orchestras. But while the double bass has long been considered a male-dominated instrument—perhaps due to its sheer size and physicality—women have not only held their own but reshaped the narrative in profound and inspiring ways.Here's a celebration of some of the most renowned female double bass players, spanning genres from classical to jazz, who continue to break boundaries and make their mark.1. Esperanza SpaldingIf there's a modern icon of bass brilliance, it's Esperanza Spalding. A musical prodigy, Spalding plays both double bass and electric bass with virtuosic ease, weaving jazz, fusion, classical, and soul into a genre-defying tapestry. She made headlines in 2011 by winning the Grammy for Best New Artist—an award rarely given to jazz musicians. With a string of critically acclaimed albums and boundary-pushing live performances, Spalding's influence reaches far beyond the bass community. She's also a professor at Harvard, emphasizing innovation in music and performance.2. Chi-chi NwanokuBritish-born Chi-chi Nwanoku is a trailblazer in the classical music world. As the founder of the Chineke! Orchestra—the first professional orchestra in Europe made up of majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians—she has made it her mission to open doors in a traditionally exclusionary space. A formidable double bassist in her own right, Chi-chi was a principal bassist with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for over 30 years. Her career blends musical excellence with social justice, making her a vital voice in contemporary classical music.3. Linda May Han OhHailing from Australia and now based in New York, Linda May Han Oh has become one of the most in-demand jazz bassists of her generation. Whether leading her own projects or playing with legends like Pat Metheny, Joe Lovano, or Vijay Iyer, Oh brings a deep musicality and sharp improvisational mind to every performance. Her tone is warm, articulate, and commanding, with an emotional range that speaks volumes. She also teaches at the Berklee College of Music and the New School, nurturing the next wave of bass talent.4. Kristin KorbA rare mix of bassist and vocalist, Kristin Korb blends bebop agility with a velvet voice. Originally from the U.S. and now based in Denmark, Korb carries forward the tradition of singing bassists (think Ray Brown or Slam Stewart) but with a distinctively elegant and lyrical touch. Her interpretations of jazz standards are joyful, inventive, and rhythmically tight, making her performances feel both timeless and fresh.5. Caroline EmeryFor lovers of classical double bass pedagogy, Caroline Emery is a key figure. A professor at the Royal College of Music in London, Emery has trained a generation of outstanding bassists, many of whom now play in top orchestras worldwide. She's known for her work with young musicians and her emphasis on posture, breath, and physical awareness—an essential contribution to transforming how double bass is taught and performed.6. Jennifer LeithamJennifer Leitham, a veteran of the jazz scene and an accomplished composer, performer, and educator, is best known for her work with the likes of Mel Tormé and Doc Severinsen. Her playing is powerful and deeply rooted in jazz tradition, but she's also known for pushing the envelope both musically and personally. As a transgender woman in jazz, Leitham has been an advocate for visibility and acceptance in the music world, proving that artistry and authenticity go hand in hand.7. Amy DominguesClassically trained yet artistically adventurous, Amy Domingues has explored everything from Baroque continuo playing to post-rock collaborations and experimental sound art. Based in Washington, D.C., she's a cellist and double bassist with a unique voice. Her work highlights the double bass's capacity for subtlety, beauty, and textural depth across genres.Why Representation MattersThe double bass may be one of the largest and most physically imposing instruments in the orchestra or on the bandstand, but these women show that passion, skill, and vision aren't confined by size or stereotype. They've not only expanded what's possible on the instrument—they've redefined who gets to play it.Whether you're a student, a listener, or a player yourself, exploring the work of these bassists is a powerful reminder of music's capacity to evolve—and to include.Want to dive deeper? Check out performances by these players on YouTube, explore their discographies on streaming platforms, and follow their latest work on social media. And if you're learning bass yourself—take heart: these legends prove that the possibilities are endless.Follow the music crazy team on YouTub @taletellerclub

Awadagin Pratt is a professor of piano at the University of Cincinnati and the recipient of multiple awards. He's never shied away from talking about his experiences as a Black man in classical music, and he's working to make it a more welcoming space. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

On the 11th June 1988 Jessye Norman performed a spine-tingling rendition of 'Amazing Grace' to a packed Wembley Stadium, bringing to a close a concert marking the seventieth birthday of Nelson Mandela. By this point her career Jessye Norman was a global icon of opera, best-known for her performances in works by Wagner, Verdi and Mozart. She refused to take the parts traditionally offered to Black singers and once said that pigeonholes were only for pigeons. She would sing, in fact, whatever she liked. Double-bassist and founder of the Chineke! Orchestra Chi-chi Nwanoku was driving back from a concert when she first heard Jessye Norman singing on the radio. She remembers being so struck by her voice that she had to pull over and wait until the performance had finished before continuing her journey. Chi-chi and presenter Matthew Parris explore some of Jessye Norman's work and recordings, and her views on what it means to be a Black woman in classical music. Chi-chi and Matthew are joined by Kira Thurman, Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of Michigan to help map out the key moments and decisions in Jessye Norman's extraordinary life. Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Toby Field

Baaba Maal, Tricky, Jah Wobble and Chi-Chi Nwanoku discuss the influence of African musical roots and traditions in Western classical music, the importance of collaboration, and rhythm and its position in the song writing process. Baaba Maal was born into a family of fishermen in the north of Senegal, but rather than go into the family business, he studied music in Dakar and Paris. Since then, he has recorded 14 albums, worked on the Black Panther soundtrack, and collaborated with Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Mumford and Sons and U2. Tricky is an icon of the hugely influential Bristol music scene. He grew to prominence as a member of the genre-defining act Massive Attack, before launching his own successful solo career working with Neneh Cherry, Björk, and Bobby Gillespie. In 2021 he released his latest album under the name Lonely Guest, which featured Lee “Scratch” Perry, Idles' Joe Talbot, and Maxïmo Park's Paul Smith. Jah Wobble is a music enthusiast, bass guitarist, and singer from East London. He met John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten, at college, and following the Sex Pistols' break-up, they formed Public Image Ltd. When he left the band, his solo projects led him to collaborate with a broad range of artists including Brian Eno, Chaka Demus, and Baaba Maal. Chi-chi Nwanoku is a classical double bass player from London, who took up the instrument aged 18 after her sprinting career was cut short by injury. As well as being a successful musician, she is also the founder and director of a foundation which supports Black, Asian and ethnically diverse classical musicians, and was awarded a CBE for services to music and diversity in 2022..

It's been 20 years since U.S. troops stormed into Baghdad at the start of the Iraq war based on the dubious claims of weapons of mass destruction. Retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus calls it a "massive cautionary tale." And, the Navajo Nation has been battling for access to Colorado River water. Before the Supreme Court on Monday, the Navajo Nation will argue the federal government has failed to live up to its duty to provide the tribe with an adequate water supply. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports. Then, the Chineke! Orchestra is on its debut North America tour. The group is one of Europe's top orchestras and the first majority Black and ethnically diverse professional orchestra from the continent. Founder and double bass player Chi-chi Nwanoku joins us.

Talking about classical music, you may think of it as an icon of Western European culture dominated by white male composers. For a long time, Chi-chi Nwanoka found herself as the only black player in the orchestra. But in her journey of promoting diversity and inclusion, she also found out that there are great classical composers of color or that Dvorak had listened to native Americans and to the music of slaves in the Southern states. Can we even say that classical music sounds more authentic with black musicians? In 2015, double-bass player Chi-chi Nwanoku founded Chineke! Orchestra supporting young mucians. The orchestra made its debut in the Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms in 2017 and has been successful eversince in the large venues thoughout England and beyond, including the Rotterdam Doelen and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Before their performance in Eindhoven in November 2022, Jean-Paul Linnartz interviewed her for Radio 4 Brainport. Photo credit Jay Lawrence --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/podcasts-4-brainport/message

Nicola Sturgeon was rebuked by ministers and MPs after she delivered the jibe during an interview in which she hinted at a possible election tie-up with Keir Starmer . The SNP leader insisted it is 'not difficult to answer' the question of whether Sir Keir or Liz Truss should be in No10, saying: 'I detest the Tories and everything they stand for.' An orchestra which has received more than £1 million of public money refused to play the National Anthem after the Queen died because it said it symbolises the ‘racist' British Empire.The Chineke! Orchestra performed at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland during the mourning period, but founder and artistic director Chi-chi Nwanoku banned the playing of God Save The King. The rapper Kanye West , 45, has found himself in hot water following his controversial Paris Fashion Week show where he showcased a White Lives Matter shirt - before making a swipe at the Jewish community. In a tweet that has since been removed by the social media giant, Kanye wrote: 'I'm a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I'm going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.' British lamb has been shipped to the US for the first time in 20 years on October 6. It is the result of landmark deal reached last year with the United States Department for Agriculture and will open up a market of more than 300 million people for British lamb producers.The first consignment of lamb was sent to the US this week by Dunbia from its site in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Britain's most tattooed man has spoken out about how his extensive collection of body modifications has resulted in unfair treatment in the workplace. Matthew Whelan from Birmingham, who is also known as King Body Art, kingofinkland79 or B-art, has tattooed over some 90 per cent of his body, spending more than £40,000 on the extensive inkings. Men technically age faster than women, experts have claimed. Anti-ageing researchers found men in their fifties were biologically four years older than their female counterparts, on average. And the gap already exists in 20-somethings, according to the first study of its kind. Scientists compared the chronological age of thousands of volunteers — how many birthdays they've had — against their biological one. This was done using tests that estimate the body's decline based on subtle markers attached to our DNA ..................After all, these days Sky Sports is the official broadcast partner of BLM and jumps on every passing woke bandwagon with all the subtlety of Sunderland's Lee Cattermole taking out anyone who got in his way.So you won't be surprised to learn that Football's Toughest Opponent isn't any of the above. It is, wait for it, climate change..............

A woman posted a thread on Mumsnet about wanting to take time off work while going through a break up with father or her child, the responses she got were mixed. We want to know whether you would ever consider this but also would you be open about taking time off to help deal with a break up? We speak to relationship expert Mel Schilling and blogger Meera Narandan. We talk to Chi-chi Nwanoku from Chineke! Orchestra – Europe's first professional majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra – and hear music from their new album The Yoga Manifesto – a new book by Nadia Gilani and we'll be joined by one of the winners from last night's International Women's Podcast Awards Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Studio Manager: Michael Millham.

In klassischen Sinfonieorchestern sind kaum People of Color vertreten. Und die Werke schwarzer Komponistinnen und Komponisten hört man im Konzertsaal fast nie. Hat die klassische Musik ein Rassismus-Problem? Die Kontrabassistin Chi-chi Nwanoku ist in England aufgewachsen und war Jahrzehnte lang die einzige schwarze Musikerin auf der Konzertbühne. Bis sie 2015 ein eigenes, ethnisch diverses Orchester gründete: das Chineke! Orchestra. Im Kultur-Talk spricht Musikredakteurin Jenny Berg mit Chi-chi Nwanoku über ihre Rassismus-Erfahrungen innerhalb und ausserhalb der Klassik-Szene, warum es ein ethnisch diverses Orchester wie Chineke! braucht und wie es den Klassik-Betrieb verändern kann.

Bassist Chi-Chi Nwanoku is more than a world-class performer. She also promotes music by composers of color in Europe through her Chineke! Foundation. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

»This is the 21st century. I should be not a novelty that there is more than one black face on the stage.« Double-bass player Chi-Chi Nwanoku is commited to an institutional change in the world of classical music: she is the founder of the Chineke! Orchestra, the first orchestra to consist almost entirely of Black musicians. In the Elbphilharmonie Talk the Artistic Director discusses her personal vision, newly-discovered repertoire and the crucial experience that led to the foundation of her orchestra.  »Wir leben im 21. Jahrhundert. Es sollte nichts Außergewöhnliches sein, dass mehr als ein Schwarzes Gesicht auf der Bühne zu sehen ist.« Die Kontrabassistin Chi-Chi Nwanoku setzt sich für einen institutionellen Wandel in der klassischen Musik ein: Mit dem Chineke! Orchestra gründete sie das erste fast ausschließlich aus Schwarzen Musikerinnen und Musikern bestehende Orchester. Im Elbphilharmonie Talk spricht die Künstlerische Leiterin über ihre Vision, über neu entdecktes Repertoire und das Schlüsselerlebnis, das zur Gründung ihres Orchesters führte. 

This podcast was produced on the unceded lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, and the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land.This episode brings together Professor Deborah Cheetham AO, First Nations Creative Chair of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and producer of Australia's first Indigenous opera, and Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, founder of the first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of a majority of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians. These two trailblazing women talk about their decades-long careers, decolonising systems and breaking down doors in Australian and UK classical music.Both speak to Melanie Abrahams who is our partner on this project, creative director and curator with Renaissance One in the UK.Guests: Chi-chi Nwanoku OBEProfessor Deborah Cheetham, AOInterviewer: Melanie AbrahamsResearch and presentation: Lena Nahlous, Diversity Arts AustraliaHost: Lena NahlousProducer: Nadyat El GawleyMore information: Short Black OperaEnsemble DutalaChineke!Music: Threads of Existence, part three of a composition from Deborah Cheetham's Woven Song – Pukumani series.Credits:Music composer: Deborah Cheetham AOGuzheng: Mindy Meng Wang (guest musician)Flute: Lisa-Maree AmosOboe: Joshua De GraafClarinet: Justin BeereAudio recording courtesy ABC ClassicWoven Song - Pukumani on YouTubeFilmed on location at NGV AustraliaCinematography and Production: David WardMore background information:The Chineke! Effect – if you can see it, you can be itClassical Drive with Chi-chi Nwanoku Classical Drive with Deborah CheethamThis podcast is a collaboration with This Is Who We Are, a UK-Australian movement of intergenerational & intersectional women artists, producers and creatives of colour who are transforming sectors, thinking and spaces. Co-directors Melanie Abrahams (Director. Renaissance One), Paula Abood (Director of The Third Space), Lena Nahlous (Executive Director of Diversity Arts Australia and host of The Colour Cycle podcast), Nur Shkembi (Melbourne based curator, writer and scholar). Festival Curator Melanie Abrahams Project Manager: Sarah Dara. Producer Renaissance One.

Featuring Chi-chi Nwanoku (bassist), Linton Stevens (bassoonist), Ashok Klouda (cellist) and William Barton (composer).

In Just The Tonic so far, we've explored how being involved in an orchestra or a choir does wonders for your mental and physical health. Results from research studies conducted by universities all over the world highlight the positive effects of being involved in music. It's clear that music-making benefits everyone. But not everyone has access to the same opportunities, and that's been particularly true of classical music. It has not been a level playing field, particularly for people from ethnically-diverse communities. In this episode of Just The Tonic, we're looking at diversity and inclusivity. As The People's Orchestra say, 'Music has no prejudice. Music has no limitations. Music is for Everyone.So, how can classical music be more open to including people from all backgrounds? Katie finds out when she chats to Bradley Wilson, the new conductor of The People's Orchestra Rusty Orchestra and a player in Chineke!; acclaimed Birmingham-based saxophonist Xhosa Cole; and Chi-chi Nwanoku, founder of Chineke!, Europe's first majority black and minority ethnic orchestra. Music includes Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Othello Suite performed by Chineke! and a short piece composed specially for Just The Tonic by Xhosa Cole.www.thepeoplesorchestra.comhttps://www.facebook.com/xhosacolemusic https://www.chineke.org/ Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor Giles Terera tells us about his new book Hamilton and Me: an Actor's Journal, his inside account of preparing for, rehearsing and performing in the West End production of the smash hit musical, Hamilton, in which Terera played Hamilton's rival and, ultimately, killer Aaron Burr. George Bridgetower was a mixed-race violin virtuoso, patronised by royalty, a pupil of Haydn and friend of Beethoven - who was so inspired by Bridgetower that he wrote one of his greatest pieces for him - the Sonata Op.47, which is now known as the Kreutzer Sonata. In a new documentary, Chi-chi Nwanoku, finds out more about Bridgetower's life, and campaigns to rename Beethoven's work to the Bridgetower Sonata. In June Shona McCarthy, the Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, spoke to Kirsty Lang on Front Row about the prospects for the Fringe in this pandemic year. Tickets went on sale yesterday and Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman newspaper's theatre critic and political columnist, is Kirsty's guest to explain what is on offer, what help the Fringe has had from the Scottish Government and the adjustments it has made so it remains a vital cultural celebration in these difficult times. Film critics Tim Robey and Amon Warmann join us to review the Danish film Another Round, the winner of this year's Best Foreign Language Oscar. Directed by Thomas Vinterberg and starring Mads Mikkelsen it's about four teachers who decide to test a theory that maintaining a constant blood alcohol level will improve their lives. In the beginning it makes them more gregarious and seems to enhance their personal and professional lives but their subsequent decision to go beyond moderate inebriation makes everything far more complicated.

It was a pleasure for me to interview Chi-chi Nwanoku whose passion and enthusiasm for the arts has resulted in a documentary and a TedTalk as well as numerous awards and recognitions. Her earnestness in fighting anti-racism will likely inspire you as she inspired me. To learn more, visit the links below! https://www.chineke.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ClassicFM/videos/10159064416089260 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-chi_Nwanoku https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciyRB29ghc (Tales from the Bassline) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSE9O-s7RdY&t=49s --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna-summers/support

Dancer, choreographer and creator of 'BOP' Dollie Henry and Founder of 'Chineke! Orchestra' and double bass player Chi-Chi Nwanoku join Gloria to discuss topics on black women and creativity. Their roundtable discussion features topics on individual definitions of success and the importance of failure in a person's journey.

Chi-chi Nwanoku throws herself into everything she undertakes with 100% energy and enthusiasm. More recently known for founding the ground-breaking Chineke! orchestra, earlier in life she was set to be an Olympic sprinter. Her positivity has certainly given me something to think about and I hope she will motivate you too so Let's get Listening!Produced by Cheryl Davis Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Out of Tune podcast is officially 21! In this episode we each picked a current black voice in music to share about: Chi-chi Nwanoku, James B. Wilson, and Roderick Cox. In the second half we share our past childhood violin/viola dreams. As always, stay safe and wear a mask! Instagram: @outoftunepod

Chi-chi Nwanoku is a double bass player and founder of Europe's first professional majority black and minority ethnic orchestra, Chineke!. Chi-chi is the eldest of five children, born to a Nigerian father and an Irish mother. Early on, she discovered two competing passions: playing the piano and 100 metre sprinting. She explains to Nikki to Richard how at 5ft tall, she has managed to find success playing the largest orchestral instrument.  Musician David Gray is best known for his folk inspired songs which have netted him multiple Ivor Novello awards and Brit nominations. He’s also played the Royal Albert Hall and toured around the world. He celebrates nearly 30 years in the charts with his new album ‘Skellig’. Louise Allen was adopted as a baby and suffered abuse throughout her childhood but found solace in art and writing. The artist now fosters her own children and has written the best-selling Thrown Away Children series based on her experiences on both sides of the care system. Burley Smith was Junior Third Mate on the “Ship of Miracles” – a US ship that rescued 14,000 North Korean refugees at the beginning of the Korean War in 1950. It was referred to as “the greatest rescue operation ever by a single ship” by the US Maritime Administration. He joins us discuss his role in this extraordinary rescue. And we hear the Inheritance Tracks of Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Producer: Laura Northedge Editor: Eleanor Garland

The death of George Floyd in the US in May reignited the debate over tackling racial inequality in society. Despite being in the midst of a global pandemic, millions of people across the globe took a stand - attending Black Lives Matter protests.The world of sport came together to ‘take a knee’ in a symbol of solidarity.But almost six months on, how much progress has been made in the UK? Chi-chi Nwanoku founded Europe's first professional majority Black, Asian and ethnically diverse orchestra, Chineke!She shares her story of driving change in the world of classical music on the Sky News Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan.We are also joined by Sky’s ‘Race and Revolution’ host Gillian Joseph as we ask: has there been a fundamental shift towards tackling racial inequality? Daily podcast team:Podcast producer - Annie JoycePodcast producer - Nicola EyersPodcast producer – Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer - Oli FosterInterviews producer – Cleudi GossageArchive - Simon WindsorMusic - Steven Wheeler

Donald Macleod meets professional musicians to get the performer’s eye view of Beethoven. During Beethoven’s life, great technical advances were being made to musical instruments such as the keyboard and the horn. It was also a period when virtuoso musicians of all kinds began to tour Europe and Beethoven was able to meet some of the greatest exponents of different instruments and learn from them. He was inspired to push the limits of his performers as never before, and his works continue to fascinate and challenge musicians today. In this episode, Donald Macleod meets with different professional musicians to get a performer's eye view of Beethoven’s music and the challenges it presents. Guests: Chi-chi Nwanoku (double bass), Rachel Nicholls (soprano), Adrian Bending (timpani), Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano), Sarah Willis (French horn). Composer of the Week is returning to the story of Beethoven’s life and music throughout 2020. Part of Radio 3’s Beethoven Unleashed season marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. Music Featured: Symphony No 6 in F, Op 68 “Pastoral” (Donner. Sturm) Symphony No 7 in A, Op 92 (Allegro con brio) Septet in E flat, Op 20 (Scherzo) Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125 “Choral” (Presto) Fidelio, Act 1 No 1-3 Fidelio, Act 2 No 12 Fidelio, Act 2 No 14-15 Missa Solemnis, Op 123 (Agnus Dei) Violin Concerto in D, Op 61 (excerpt) Symphony No 4 in B flat, Op 60 (Adagio – Allegro vivace) Symphony No 3 in E flat, Op 55 “Eroica” (Marcia funebre) Symphony No 5 in C minor, Op 67 (Allegro & Allegro - Presto) Piano Sonata No 13 in E flat, Op 27 No 1 (Andante) Concerto No 3 in C minor, Op 37 (Largo) Piano Trio No 5 in D, Op 70 No 1 “Ghost” (Largo assai ed espressivo) Fantasia in C minor, Op 80 Horn Sonata, Op 17 Symphony No 3 in E flat, Op 55 “Eroica” (Scherzo) Sextet in E flat, Op 81b (Rondo) Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125 “Choral” (Adagio molto e cantabile) Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Beethoven Unleashed: How to Play Beethoven https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000m06v And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

This episode is our lockdown edition. I’m interviewing opera singer Peter Brathwaite, Susanna Eastburn, Chief Executive of Sound and Music, and Chi-chi Nwanoku, Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Chineke!. We’re talking about how the pandemic has affected musicians in the UK, and how classical music might have to change as lockdown measures ease. We’re also discussing the UK government’s £1.57bn emergency fund for the arts, and how it should be spent.

Kate Molleson hosts an online panel discussion on issues relating to race and equality within the classical music industry with contributions from performers, composers, artistic leaders and programmers. The panel considers past histories and looks to the future through the lenses of education, economics and programming and deliberates on the current impact Covid-19 is having on diversity within the arts. Kate Molleson is joined by Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of the Chineke! Foundation, Chi-chi Nwanoku; experimental vocalist, movement artist and composer, Elaine Mitchener; composer and Professor of American Music at Columbia University, George E. Lewis; Chair of UK Music Diversity Taskforce, Ammo Talwar; and Head of Music at Manchester International Festival, Jane Beese; with contributions from writer, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason; Founder and Artistic Director of plainsightSOUND, Uchenna Ngwe and composer, Adolphus Hailstork.

Major players in the classical music world congregate online and take part in a debate hosted by Tom Service. With practitioners from around the globe, this landmark programme examines how the classical music industry can rebuild and sustain itself following the Covid-19 lockdown. With contributions from violinist Nicola Benedetti, founder of the Chineke! Foundation Chi-chi Nwanoku, the managing director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York Peter Gelb, the director of music at the Southbank Centre Gillian Moore, chief executive of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Stephen Maddock, general manager of the Berlin Philharmonic Andrea Zietzschmann, music programme manager at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall Neil Bennison, director of music at Arts Council England Claire Mera-Nelson, composer and clarinettist Mark Simpson, director of the London Contemporary Music Festival Igor Toronyi-Lalic and chief music critic of The Times, Richard Morrison.

Von San Francisco bis Berlin gehen Millionen auf die Straße, um gegen Rassismus zu demonstrieren. Diskriminierende Strukturen lassen sich auch in der Klassikszene finden, doch dagegen muss man was tun hat sich die Bassistin Chi-Chi Nwanoku gesagt. Sie gründete vor fünf Jahren in England das Chineke! Orchestra für schwarze Musiker*innen und andere ethnische Minderheiten.

Ready for a laugh? As we start easing up on lockdown are we ready to laugh about it yet? We ask comedy producer Emma Brunjes, producer of Dave's Edinburgh Comedy Awards about comedians' take on Coronavirus and how they'll survive without the Edinburgh Festival. And we talk to Founder of the Chineke Orchestras, Chi-chi Nwanoku about the Junior Orchestra's triumph on Britain's Got Talent, the Black Lives Matter movement and the future for classical musicians of colour. Plus we discuss all latest exciting offerings on television from Sitting in Limbo and Little Fires Everywhere to Filthy Rich and Steve Coogan in Greed. We're laughing at: Comedy at the Covid Arms www.comedyathecovid.co.uk Chortle www.chortle.co.uk The British Comedy Guide www.comedy.co.uk Beyond the Joke www.beyondthejoke.co.uk Michael Spicer @mrmichaelspicer on Twitter Sarah Cooper @sarahcpr on Twitter We're listening to: Deep River by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a tribute to George Floyd and other victims of racism performed by The Chineke Orhcestra www.chineke.org We're watching: Sitting in Limbo : BBC iPlayer Little Fires Everywhere: Amazon Prime Filthy Rich: Netflix Greed: Amazon Prime Podcast Edited and Produced by Alex Graham Introduction Music: Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In Episode no.11, Chi-Chi Nwanoku talks about the Chineke! Junior Orchestra's recent success in Britain's Got Talent, Patrick chats to Dan Clark from Rock School about their increasingly popular qualifications, and Tim Garrard gives an overview of what to expect in this year's online conference, “MTA at Home”.Plus, one of the stars of conferences past and present – Harry the Piano – talks Jazz, improvisation workshops, and rises to the challenge of Patrick's classical-Rockney fusion! Presented and produced by Patrick Johns 

Today’s episode was recorded live at the 2019 International Society of Bassists Convention with Dr. Randy Kertz, Chi-chi Nwanoku, John Patitucci, and Steve Bailey about how to stay healthy on the bass as you age. Enjoy! Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: D'Addario Strings This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.   Kolstein Music The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production. A440 Violin Shop An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools. Upton Bass String Instrument Company Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players. Texas Hill Country Bass Collective Join them July 22 thru July 25 for our 6th annual Austin Bass Workshop at the amazing Westlake High School.  Come join friends from the Texas Hill Country Bass Collective for four days of music, bass, and fun and work with 2019 featured guest artist (and past Contrabass Conversations guest) Dennis Whittaker! The Bass Violin Shop The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome! Contrabass Conversations production team: Jason Heath, host Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing Mitch Moehring, audio engineer Trevor Jones, publication and promotion Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE is founder and artistic director of the Chineke! Foundation, which gives a platform to musicians from BAME backgrounds. A former sprinter, she also helped to found the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and was its principal double bass for 30 years.

This week Sam and Tim share their thoughts on the BBC Singers teaming up with folk musicians Kabantu at the Cutty Sark, discuss mutual disinterest in Berlioz, review the new CD release from Trio Zadig, and interview Carl Craig and Chi-chi Nwanoku about their genre-bending gig at the Royal Albert Hall. Music Credits: Paganini Violin Concerto No. 1, Himari YoshimuraBerlioz Harold en Italie, William Primrose, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky 1944Beethoven 9th Symphony, Ode to Joy, arranged by Rowan AtkinsonSibelius 5th Symphony Mov. 1, arranged by Timmy FisherFollow us here:instagram.com/classicalpod/ twitter.com/ClassicalPod facebook.com/ClassicalPod/Carl Craig with Chineke! Orchestra: https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2019/carl-craig-with-the-chineke-orchestra/Trio Zadig Website: http://triozadig.com/en/home-en

Former Culture Secretary Ed Vaizey talks to Chi-chi Nwanoku of the Royal Academy of Music and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment about how we can improve access to the Arts

Why is classical music still so male and pale, and what can be done about it? Kim Chakanetsa talks to two leading female musicians who are working to challenge the status quo and open up orchestras to more women and people of colour. Of Nigerian-Irish parentage, Chi-chi Nwanoku realised that 30 years into an illustrious career as a double-bassist she was still one of vanishingly few non-white faces on the classical music stage. So in 2015 she started Chineke!, Europe's first majority-black and minority ethnic orchestra. Her project is already bearing fruit, with one of her members Sheku Kanneh-Mason, playing solo at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Mei-Ann Chen is a conductor from Taiwan, and Musical Director at the Chicago Sinfonietta - a professional orchestra founded in the 1980s to showcase the talent of African American and Latino musicians. As well as insisting on diversity in her orchestra and the music they play, Mei-Ann is passionate about opening up the overwhelmingly male-dominated world of conducting to more women, and says she would never have succeeded without a female mentor. You heard extracts from: Dances in the Canebrakes by Florence Price, performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta conducted by Mei-Ann Chen, which will be included on a new CD released in March 2019 on Cedille Records. The second movement of Dvorak's Ninth Symphony in E Minor "From the New World" performed by the Chineke! Orchestra, conducted by Kevin John Edusei. Available on Hyperion Records. (L) Image and credit: Mei-Ann Chen (R) Image: Chi-chi Nwanoku (credit: Eric Richmond)

Hon var internationell toppmusiker i 35 år. Fick nog av svarta musikers osynlighet inom klassisk musik och bildade proffsiga CHINEKE!, en aldrig tidigare skådad symfoniorkester.   Tillfälligheternas spel är en programserie i fem avsnitt. I andra programmet möter vi kontrabasisten och orkesterledaren Chi-chi Nwanoku, som under många år spelade  i Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Från början var det meningen att Chi-chi Nwanoku skulle bli brittisk olympiasprinter. Men tillfälligheternas spel giorde att hon skadade knät så illa under en fotbollsmatch att karriären som sprinter var slut. Chi-chi Nwanoku hade spelat piano hela livet och vunnit en Chopin-tävling i skolan. Efter en tvåveckors sjukhusvistelse med operation av knät insisterade hennes musiklärare på att hon istället skulle ta upp ett instrument för att kunna spela i skolans symfoniorkester. Han ledde henne till ett litet rum där det stod två kontrabasar, mycket längre än Chi-chi som endast är 165 lång. -Denna utmaning älskade jag och blev kär i instrumentet omedelbart! Veckan efter hade jag min första kontrabaslektion. Det var början på resten av mitt liv. Jag bytte från benen till armarna, säger Chi-chi Nwanoku. 2015 grundade hon den professionella symfoniorkestern CHINEKE! som består av 75 musiker. CHINEKE! är Europas första professionella symfoniorkester för svarta musiker och musiker ur andra etniska minoriteter. -Vi lever i det tjugoförsta århundradet. Det borde inte vara en nyhet att det skulle finnas fler än ett svart ansikte i en orkester som spelar klassisk musik på hög nivå. Så jag bestämde mig för att göra något åt detta säger Chi-chi Nwanoku i programmet. Den 30 augusti 2017 gjorde symfoniorkestern CHINEKE! sin BBC Proms-debut i Royal Albert Hall i London. Om projektet CHINEKE! har Chi-Chi Nwanoku sagt: "Mitt syfte är att skapa ett rum där musiker ur minoritetsgrupper kan gå på scenen och känna att de räknas och hör till i ordens alla bemärkelser. Varenda musiker som känner att hudfärgen står i vägen för deras ambitioner skall känna att jag vill inspirera dem, ge dem en plattform och visa dem att musik, av vilken sort det vara månde, är till för alla människor." I CHINEKE! Foundation ingår även en ungdomsorkester för musiker mellan 11 och 18 år. De äldre musikerna fungerar som mentorer, lärare och förebilder för de unga musikerna. - Chi-chi är en fantastisk naturkraft! Denna dam har inspirerat oss alla och gett oss hopp för framtiden: Vi kan göra skillnad. Hon har fört oss samman och vi har kommit ut ur vår isolering i orkestrar och ensembler i olika länder och skapat ett enormt nätverk. Vi är henne för evigt tacksamma över detta. Det säger altviolinisten Lena Fankhauser som har Wien som sin bas. Hon, liksom alla andra musiker i CHINEKE! spelar även i flera andra ensembler. -En lördag zappade jag på tv'n och hittade en konsert med Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Jag upptäckte den svarta kontrabasisten och slogs av hur intensiv och kraftfull hennes prestation var och tänkte Herregud så fenomenal hon är! Det var min första kontakt med Chi-chi Nwanoku, berättar timpanisten Paul Philbert. I programmet spelas musik av bl a spännande svarta tonsättare som George Walker, Hannah Kendall, Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Samuel Coleridge Taylor och Errolyn Wallen.   Musiklista: Lyrics for Strings George Walker, Chineke! Kevin John Edusei, Dirigent    Konsert For Violoncell Antonin Dvorak, Malaysias Filharmoni Paul Philbert, Timpani   Concerto Grosso Errollyn Wallen, Chineke!! Shaun Matthew, Dirigent   Concerto Grosso Errollyn Wallen, Chineke!! Shaun Matthew, Dirigent   Rejoice Greatly from Messiah Handel, Chineke! Soprano Jeanine De Bique Kevin John Edusei, Dirigent   Rondo in G minor, Op 94 Antonin Dvorak, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Cello. Chineke! Kevin John Edusei, Dirigent   The Spark Catchers Hannah Kendall, Chineke! Kevin John Edusei, Dirigent   Violin concerto in G Joseph Bologne, Chevalier De Saint-Georges, Chineke! Tai Murray, Violin Shaun Matthew, Dirigent   Violin concerto in G Joseph Bologne, Chevalier De Saint-Georges, Chineke! Tai Murray, Violin Shaun Matthew, Dirigent   Ballade in A minor for orchestra, Op.33 Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Chineke! , Anthony Parnther, Dirigent   penchant qui nous entraine Joseph Bologne, Chevalier De Saint-Georges, Dallet Soprano Jeanine De Bique Proms chineke! Kevin John Edusei, Dirigent   FINLANDIA (OP 26) Jean Sibelius, Kevin John Edusei/ Chineke Orchestra SIGNUM 010631, SIGCD515 Non Swedish 25-058.104-00 01.01

Hon var internationell toppmusiker i 35 år. Fick nog av svarta musikers osynlighet inom klassisk musik och bildade proffsiga CHINEKE!, en aldrig tidigare skådad symfoniorkester.   Tillfälligheternas spel är en programserie i fem avsnitt av Birgitta Tollan. I andra programmet möter vi kontrabasisten och orkesterledaren Chi-chi Nwanoku, som under många år spelade  i Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Från början var det meningen att Chi-chi Nwanoku skulle bli brittisk olympiasprinter. Men tillfälligheternas spel giorde att hon skadade knät så illa under en fotbollsmatch att karriären som sprinter var slut. Chi-chi Nwanoku hade spelat piano hela livet och vunnit en Chopin-tävling i skolan. Efter en tvåveckors sjukhusvistelse med operation av knät insisterade hennes musiklärare på att hon istället skulle ta upp ett instrument för att kunna spela i skolans symfoniorkester. Han ledde henne till ett litet rum där det stod två kontrabasar, mycket längre än Chi-chi som endast är 165 lång. -Denna utmaning älskade jag och blev kär i instrumentet omedelbart! Veckan efter hade jag min första kontrabaslektion. Det var början på resten av mitt liv. Jag bytte från benen till armarna, säger Chi-chi Nwanoku. 2015 grundade hon den professionella symfoniorkestern CHINEKE! som består av 75 musiker. CHINEKE! är Europas första professionella symfoniorkester för svarta musiker och musiker ur andra etniska minoriteter. -Vi lever i det tjugoförsta århundradet. Det borde inte vara en nyhet att det skulle finnas fler än ett svart ansikte i en orkester som spelar klassisk musik på hög nivå. Så jag bestämde mig för att göra något åt detta säger Chi-chi Nwanoku i programmet. Den 30 augusti 2017 gjorde symfoniorkestern CHINEKE! sin BBC Proms-debut i Royal Albert Hall i London. Om projektet CHINEKE! har Chi-Chi Nwanoku sagt: "Mitt syfte är att skapa ett rum där musiker ur minoritetsgrupper kan gå på scenen och känna att de räknas och hör till i ordens alla bemärkelser. Varenda musiker som känner att hudfärgen står i vägen för deras ambitioner skall känna att jag vill inspirera dem, ge dem en plattform och visa dem att musik, av vilken sort det vara månde, är till för alla människor." I CHINEKE! Foundation ingår även en ungdomsorkester för musiker mellan 11 och 18 år. De äldre musikerna fungerar som mentorer, lärare och förebilder för de unga musikerna. - Chi-chi är en fantastisk naturkraft! Denna dam har inspirerat oss alla och gett oss hopp för framtiden: Vi kan göra skillnad. Hon har fört oss samman och vi har kommit ut ur vår isolering i orkestrar och ensembler i olika länder och skapat ett enormt nätverk. Vi är henne för evigt tacksamma över detta. Det säger altviolinisten Lena Fankhauser som har Wien som sin bas. Hon, liksom alla andra musiker i CHINEKE! spelar även i flera andra ensembler. -En lördag zappade jag på tv'n och hittade en konsert med Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Jag upptäckte den svarta kontrabasisten och slogs av hur intensiv och kraftfull hennes prestation var och tänkte Herregud så fenomenal hon är! Det var min första kontakt med Chi-chi Nwanoku, berättar timpanisten Paul Philbert. I programmet spelas musik av bl a spännande svarta tonsättare som George Walker, Hannah Kendall, Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Samuel Coleridge Taylor och Errolyn Wallen.

Chi-chi Nwanoku is a double bass player and founder of Europe's first professional majority black and minority ethnic orchestra, Chineke!.Chi-chi is the eldest of five children, born to a Nigerian father and an Irish mother. Early on, she discovered two competing passions: playing the piano and 100 metre sprinting. She was aiming to qualify for the 1976 Olympics when she suffered a knee injury which cut short her life as an athlete. Her music teacher then suggested that she could have a career as a musician if she took up 'an unpopular orchestral instrument'. She began learning the double bass a week later.She was a student at the Royal Academy of Music and for over 30 years has played with renowned orchestras, including the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, English Baroque Soloists, London Classical Players and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment , which she co-founded and where she was principal double bass for three decades.In 2015, she set up Chineke! to support, inspire and encourage black and minority ethnic musicians. Last year the Chineke! orchestra made its debut at the BBC Proms, and Chi-chi was awarded an OBE for her services to music. Producer: Sarah Taylor.

Chi-chi Nwanoku is a double bass player and founder of Europe's first professional majority black and minority ethnic orchestra, Chineke!. Chi-chi is the eldest of five children, born to a Nigerian father and an Irish mother. Early on, she discovered two competing passions: playing the piano and 100 metre sprinting. She was aiming to qualify for the 1976 Olympics when she suffered a knee injury which cut short her life as an athlete. Her music teacher then suggested that she could have a career as a musician if she took up 'an unpopular orchestral instrument'. She began learning the double bass a week later. She was a student at the Royal Academy of Music and for over 30 years has played with renowned orchestras, including the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, English Baroque Soloists, London Classical Players and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment , which she co-founded and where she was principal double bass for three decades. In 2015, she set up Chineke! to support, inspire and encourage black and minority ethnic musicians. Last year the Chineke! orchestra made its debut at the BBC Proms, and Chi-chi was awarded an OBE for her services to music. Producer: Sarah Taylor.

Chi-chi Nwanoku profiles black composers and performers down the centuries, with their friends and contemporaries.

The Only Artists conversation continues, as leading double-bass player Chi-chi Nwanoku meets the artist Yinka Shonibare, to find out how he draws on his own identity in his work. Can you separate your art from your identity? Producer Alex Mansfield.

Novelist and writer Naomi Alderman asks classical double-bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku what it's like to create your art live on stage, rather than nicely tucked up with a laptop. Only Artists is a new series which takes its title from the first two sentences of The Story of Art by the renowned art historian E. H. Gombrich: 'There really is no such thing as art. There are only artists.' There is no presenter, just two artists - from different disciplines - discussing creative questions, processes or decisions. It's up to them.

Libby Purves meets Ingrid von Oelhafen who was taken from her family in Yugoslavia as a baby and brought up as an Aryan child in the Nazi Party's notorious Lebensborn programme; photographer turned top hat seller Colin Rosie; musician Chi-chi Nwanoku and Tristan Gooley, writer and expedition leader. Colin Rosie is a photographer turned top hat seller. In 2013 he found himself homeless after the collapse of his business. He spent months sleeping rough until financial help from a charity enabled him to start a new business selling top hats. He buys and restores vintage and modern hats from top hats to fedoras and trilbies which he sells on the Last Stop for the Curious stall at London's Spitalfields Market. At nine-months-old Ingrid von Oelhafen was removed from her parents in Yugoslavia by the Nazis and adopted into a German family as part of the Lebensborn programme. Founded by Heinrich Himmler, the Lebensborn programme was established to increase Germany's Aryan population and create a master race. In her book, Hitler's Forgotten Children, Ingrid tells how she finally discovered the truth about her background. Hitler's Forgotten Children by Ingrid Von Oelhafen and Tim Tate is published by Elliott And Thompson. Chi-chi Nwanoku MBE is principal double bass and a founder member of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. She presents a two-part documentary for Radio 4 - In Search of the Black Mozart - in which she tracks down some of the great black composers and performers of the 18th century. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment's 30th birthday season begins at the Southbank Centre this autumn. Tristan Gooley is a writer and expedition leader. His speciality is natural navigation - the art of finding your way using nature including the sun, moon, stars, weather, land, sea, plants and animals. His book, The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs, is published by Sceptre. Producer: Paula McGinley.