Chi-chi Nwanoku MBE
Founder, Artistic & Executive Director Chineke!, Principal double bassist,
Prof Royal Academy of Music, Broadcaster, Writer & Mentor
Tuesday 28th February 2017
Leadership, progression and success at the top – Raising the bar
House of Commons
An ex-sprinter and half the size of her double bass, Chi-chi Nwanoku has gained a reputation as one of the finest exponents of her instrument today.
The eldest of 5 children from Nigerian and Irish parents, she was 7 years old when she discovered the piano at a neighbour’s, who taught her to play a 12-bar blues. She returned to their house daily until the neighbour got so fed up they wheeled the piano up the road and gave it to her as a gift! Meanwhile, she was spotted (aged 8) by an athletics coach and trained as a 100- metre sprinter, eventually competing at National level. This career ended abruptly due to a knee injury aged 18, which is when (and why) she took up the double bass and actively pursued a career in music.
Source:http://www.chi-chinwanoku.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/chi-chi_HP_new3.jpg
She studied at the Royal Academy of Music and with Franco Petracchi in Rome, and soon found herself in demand internationally.
Chi-chi is the Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of the Chineke! Foundation, which supports, inspires and encourages Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) classical musicians working in the UK and Europe.
The Chineke! Foundation champions change and celebrates diversity in the classical music industry through its two orchestras, the Chineke! Orchestra and Chineke! Junior Orchestra, as well as its educational and outreach work. Ultimately, the Chineke! Foundation aims to give classical BME musicians a platform on which to excel, and by such methods increase the representation of BME musicians in British and European orchestras. More information about the Chineke! Foundation and its work can be found at www.chineke.org.
Chi-chi is a founder member of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and held the position of Principal double bass there for 30 years. She is Professor of Double Bass Historical Studies at the Royal Academy of Music, where she was made a Fellow in 1998.
Chi-chi’s range of musical interests have resulted in a broad career performing and recording in a diversity of styles from authentic baroque through to 21st century and new commissions, with many of Europe’s leading chamber orchestras and ensembles. Some of her notable chamber recordings include Schubert’s ‘Trout’ Quintet (recorded three times), and Octet, Beethoven Septet, Hummel Piano quintet and Boccherini Sonatas. Her solo recording of Dittersdorf and Vanhal Concertos with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra; Hyperion CD 67179 received critical acclaim.
In 2012 Barrie Gavin directed a documentary film about Chi-chi’s career, called ‘Tales from the Bass Line’. As a broadcaster, Chi-chi presented BBC Radio 3 Requests for four years, she guests for the TV Proms and was Jury member of BBC 2 TV Classical Star. She presented a two part series for BBC Radio 4 in 2015 which brought to life the stories and music of black composers and musicians from the eighteenth century, whose vivd presence on the classical music scene have slipped through the net!
Chi-chi was also the ‘mentor’ for the 2016 BBC 4 TV series ‘All Together Now, the Great Orchestra Challenge’, showcasing the amazing talent of British amateur orchestras. Chi-chi is a trustee of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Mayor’s Music Fund, Tertis Foundation a Council Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society. She served on the board of the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) from 2008 to 2013. Chi-chi created the ABO/RPS ‘Salomon Prize’ which celebrates the “unsung heroes” working in the ranks of British Orchestras.
Awards and achievements
- Chi-chi was awarded an MBE for services to Music in the 2001 Queen’s Birthday honours.
- She was one of the 100 – Happy List in the Independent on Sunday 2011.
- In July 2016 she was appointed as an Honorary Fellow of Trinity Laban Conservatoire in recognition of her “pioneering contribution to music, in particular the inspiration she provides, the commitment she has shown, and the contribution she has made to addressing inequalities within classical music in the UK, most recently through the Chineke! Foundation.”
- Chi-chi was awarded the Black British Business Awards, Person of the Year 2016.
Source: Black British Business Awards 2017
Chi-chi is a dedicated advocate of the importance of music in everyone’s lives and is committed to teaching and sharing her love of music.
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