Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians are woefully under-represented in professional UK orchestras. 1.7% of the membership of our 14 leading professional orchestras are from minority backgrounds compared to the overall population of 15% and as much as 50% or more in major cities. Young musicians from diverse backgrounds have few role models to inspire them to take up a musical instrument, still less to consider pursuing a career as a professional musician.

The Chineke! Junior Orchestra provides a conduit for the next generation of diverse musicians. Since 2015 over 250 young people have performed with the Junior Orchestra and many have gone on to secure places at the junior and senior conservatoires and to perform in the professional Chineke! Orchestra. Our Learning programme led by Chineke! professionals reaches young people of all ethnicities across the country introducing them to the joys of creative music-making.