0:00:02 > 0:00:03'Here is Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05'17 years old.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07'A cellist from Nottingham.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11'He's played a piece by Shostakovich in every single round of this
0:00:11 > 0:00:15'competition so far, so there was really only one choice for tonight.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18'The Cello Concerto No. 1.'
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Quite simply,
0:00:37 > 0:00:41he's the best young cellist around at the moment in the world.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Sheku has something just that little bit different.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52He just touches you.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55He just projects this incredible aura when he plays.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57He and his cello are one.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10There's a fierce side of that boy...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14..that we don't see away from the cello.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17He encompasses a massive range
0:01:17 > 0:01:20of emotions and feelings.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24He tells that story through the cello.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34It's very significant that he's the first black winner
0:01:34 > 0:01:36of Young Musician of the Year.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39He has to realise the power of one moment,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42the power of one action, the power of one individual.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44If you choose to step into that role,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47one person can be extremely powerful.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56APPLAUSE
0:02:03 > 0:02:07The winner of the BBC Young Musician 2016
0:02:07 > 0:02:09is Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11CHEERING
0:02:20 > 0:02:23The moment my name was called out was an amazing feeling.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25I've always wanted to win Young Musician,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I've always wanted to be the best at what I do.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32I knew, obviously, if I work really hard, then anything's possible.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Erm, and so, yeah...
0:02:34 > 0:02:36I worked hard.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Sheku is one of seven incredibly talented siblings
0:02:52 > 0:02:55who all share a love of classical music.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07My family are very big and very loud
0:03:07 > 0:03:09and take up all my waking hours.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14And they are a source of incredible joy.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17I think other people were probably fascinated by the fact
0:03:17 > 0:03:19they all play music.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22The fact that they all have the same interest
0:03:22 > 0:03:23is probably a surprise.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26They are very individual, all the children,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28but they are passionate about the same thing.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32The Kanneh-Masons' house is always alive with music.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35They have four pianos, four violins,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37three cellos and a viola.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40But, luckily, no close neighbours.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49This is the hallway where, erm, we use as our whole practice,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53if we're playing on our sextet or trios or quartets.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56And here's the play room.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58And then this is, like, the sofa.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02And then we've just got a piano, which is like, I think,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05this is the piano I like practising on because it's got a nice touch.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10They all practise anywhere they can, in bizarre spaces.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I practise in there. The green bathroom.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I think because I can play in front of the mirror.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19They practise in the kitchen, in the play room,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21in the lounge.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Here's the lounge.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Sheku usually likes to practise in here.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28And he always tightens the music stands low
0:04:28 > 0:04:30so you can never wind them up again to play the violin,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33so sometimes you have to play the violin sitting down.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37They'll practise anywhere. In the bedrooms, in the landing - anywhere.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40If you practise the violin in here, it echoes around
0:04:40 > 0:04:43so it makes the violin sound really nice and loud.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I stop them practising in the bathrooms as much as I can
0:04:46 > 0:04:48because with stringed instruments
0:04:48 > 0:04:50it all sounds wonderful and it's effortless.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55So I try and make them practise in places like the hallway,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57where you have to work a bit harder.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I was given piano lessons from the age of eight.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Erm, it was very basic.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15And I didn't have the musical opportunities that the children do,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17but I absolutely loved it.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22Other people are probably intrigued as to how it's all happened
0:05:22 > 0:05:25and I think there's lots of theories.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28I think people probably think we whip our children nightly.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31And I think they're probably intrigued to see,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33is it a joyful thing that they all play
0:05:33 > 0:05:36or is it a painful, hard-working thing?
0:05:41 > 0:05:46Isata, their eldest child, began to play the piano aged six.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I think we first realised the talent with Isata
0:05:53 > 0:05:54when she was very young.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57She excelled at school and excelled a bit too fast,
0:05:57 > 0:06:02so we really started her with music as something to fill up her mind
0:06:02 > 0:06:05and to stop her being bored.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11By age 11, she had achieved the highest marks in the country
0:06:11 > 0:06:14for Grade 7 and Grade 8 piano.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21There were just a few pieces that I used to listen to
0:06:21 > 0:06:24and I used to love them and I just really enjoyed performing.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26It just kind of went from there.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31By the time she was 18, she had been awarded the prestigious
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Elton John Scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38where she will soon be followed by her brother Braimah.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41When Braimah started the violin,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43we were really struck by how musical he was.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46And then it just went on from there.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Well, I start at the Royal Academy in September.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59So, today, I'll probably do... wherever my Bach is,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I'll probably do some... probably do some Bach, I think.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04And then...and then call it a day.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Sheku was the first child to decide to play the cello.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23The moment he picked up the cello, you could see that this was
0:07:23 > 0:07:25something that he was always going to do
0:07:25 > 0:07:27and his focus and his passion
0:07:27 > 0:07:30and his seriousness about it was incredible.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33He could put the cello down and be a normal boy,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36come back to the cello and he would transform.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53It is similar with the rest of the children,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57but I think Sheku goes into a completely different world
0:07:57 > 0:07:58when he plays music
0:07:58 > 0:08:02and it's as though he becomes a completely different person.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04That is quite magical and quite special.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11When he won BBC Young Musician,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I think the other children felt as if they've won.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Because I think when someone in your family achieves well,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21you know, essentially, they're not that different from you.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23When Sheku won, I cried a lot.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Erm, I cried through, like, his whole performance.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29And when he won, it was like being in a dream.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33You've seen it on TV so many times, people holding that trophy,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35but it's very different when it's your brother.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37It's an amazing feeling.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40This is, like, Sheku's trophies for winning BBC Musician.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42I've never won a trophy.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46I mean, I won one for acting, but I'm still just, you know,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48not doing anything much.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53But it's not only Sheku's family who are delighted by his win.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56A concert has been organised in his hometown of Nottingham
0:08:56 > 0:08:59to celebrate the cellist's recent success.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03I'm very excited for this concert because my school are bringing
0:09:03 > 0:09:06about 30 or 40 kids down, so that should be really exciting,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10purely because in these kind of concerts you don't tend to see
0:09:10 > 0:09:12a large number of young people. And so it's great to have
0:09:12 > 0:09:15so many people my age coming to the concert.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20When we saw Sheku had won live, it was just overwhelming.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22We felt really proud and very emotional.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27But, since then, he's returned, done his exams, carried on as normal.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30It's just really nice to see that although he's had
0:09:30 > 0:09:32this potentially life-changing event,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35he's stayed incredibly grounded.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Children need support from their parents or family,
0:09:39 > 0:09:40key family members,
0:09:40 > 0:09:44so we've always tried to make sure that one or other of us
0:09:44 > 0:09:47is there at a concert,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51because I always think that whenever you're performing,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53when you look out in the audience,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56it feels real if you see somebody there that you love.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00So we'll move heaven and earth to get somebody at a concert.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02APPLAUSE
0:10:03 > 0:10:08Performing on stage with Sheku today are some people very special to him.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16I'm playing with former winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Guy Johnston, my current teacher, Ben Davies,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22my first teacher, Sarah Huson, and my sister, Jeneba.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34So I first met Sheku in Nottingham. He must have been nine years old.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38His teacher Sarah invited me to come and give a class
0:10:38 > 0:10:41to some young, talented students and there was Sheku playing.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45I was just kind of blown away.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48I just thought, "Wow, what a naturally gifted musician."
0:10:58 > 0:11:01When we were rehearsing, my hairs were standing up on end.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04It's just a quality to his playing and his aura and his being.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08He's all-inclusive. Even when he's not playing, he's listening
0:11:08 > 0:11:11to the others and sharing ideas and playing with colour,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14playing with sound and just full of imagination.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I started teaching Sheku at age six
0:11:21 > 0:11:23and I taught him up until the age of nine,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25at which point he took his Grade 8
0:11:25 > 0:11:29and received the highest marks in the UK for Grade 8 cello.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32So, erm, I rang him, I think, to tell him the news
0:11:32 > 0:11:35and he very shyly and modestly just said thank you.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37He's a very quiet boy.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43I'd love to know what the magic has been on his part.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47It's going to be really fascinating to see where he goes from here.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51LAUGHTER
0:12:04 > 0:12:06CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Weekdays for the Kanneh-Masons begin early.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24With Stuart working away Monday to Friday, it's up to Kadie
0:12:24 > 0:12:27to get all the children up and off to school.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's very sleepy, I've got lots of grumpy teenagers to get up.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- Sheku?- Yeah? - OK, just reminding you of the time.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Everyone takes breakfast very seriously.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39They're always hungry. They eat a lot.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44Erm, and then it's just getting them out of the door in time.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Sheku's the worst. He's always the one who hasn't got his shoes on,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52he hasn't got his clothes on, he's lost his comb.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55These two are always practising in the morning.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58They leave later, so they have more time in the morning.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04Fingering.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07We should leave, like, now.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10If Braimah's ready.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Now Braimah has passed his driving test,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21he gives Sheku and his precious cello a lift to school.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27I'm driving very safely this morning. Checking my mirrors.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Trinity was definitely the choice we made very early on
0:13:34 > 0:13:38for them to go to a school where everybody understands
0:13:38 > 0:13:40what music means or should mean.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42And it's in the school curriculum,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46it's understood as something that's valuable.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Sheku has just taken his music, maths and physics AS-levels.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54This ball is further away from the magnet.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57It's easier to be released than this ball. Yeah.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02'I got two As and a B in my maths, physics.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07'It was OK. I mean, considering that the maths exam was pretty soon after
0:14:07 > 0:14:09'my Young Musician final.'
0:14:09 > 0:14:12He doesn't want to leave school yet.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15He wants to finish his school work, he wants to finish his A levels,
0:14:15 > 0:14:19he wants to be at home for another year, so he's being very sensible.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21I think that's the right thing to do.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24If you're suddenly thrown into the limelight, you need time
0:14:24 > 0:14:26to get used to it and you need to know what you're doing.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Most of the people at Trinity know that the Kanneh-Masons
0:14:30 > 0:14:34are, like, the prodigies in music - like, these amazing people.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39My Nana lives in Wales and she knows all about the Kanneh-Masons.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43In school, the Kanneh-Masons are just like any other children
0:14:43 > 0:14:45in one respect.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49People know who they are, perhaps, because they've seen them play,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52but they just get on with things as any other child would do.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55They've got homework and they've got to get on in lessons,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58and in that respect, they're just the same.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01They really shine when there's opportunities for them
0:15:01 > 0:15:02to do their thing.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24I find I can focus very well here,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28despite being the place that I study physics and play football.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I think everyone here understands music, and when someone
0:15:37 > 0:15:40walks through when I'm practising, they're always very quiet.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43They don't interrupt or anything,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46and I think that's really great for me when I'm practising.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Now, just remember...
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Just be calm and enjoy it, OK?
0:15:52 > 0:15:54There's no need to be nervous.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58This morning, mum Kadie is taking ten-year-old Aminata to school
0:15:58 > 0:16:00to do her Grade 5 piano exam.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04Just think about the music and you'll be absolutely fine.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07A bit nervous, but I hope I'll do as well as last time.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I might not get the same this time. I hope to get higher.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Aminata wants to keep up with the rest of the family.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16I want to be as good as them,
0:16:16 > 0:16:18otherwise I'll feel like I haven't made it,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22so I can be as good as them and then I'll be happy.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Do you want to go in there for a bit? You're next.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36Yesterday, she was really nervous, making a hundred mistakes a minute.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38But this morning, she's much happier.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41I think she's glad it's going to be over really soon.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47'When your child wants something and is working incredibly hard for it,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50'you just want it to work for them.'
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Well done. Really, really well done.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- How was today?- Good.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Good, good, good.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11'As soon as they come home from school,
0:17:11 > 0:17:14'the children, in their heads, think, the first thing is food.'
0:17:16 > 0:17:19'Then it's music and they go straight to it.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21'I never have to ask them to do it.'
0:17:21 > 0:17:24That's just part of the structure of their lives.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31The older ones are probably doing a couple of hours,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and at the weekends, they'll be doing three hours.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36It's about managing time.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Three hours on a Sunday sounds like a lot of practice,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42but if you manage your day, a waking day might be 12 hours,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44so if you do three hours' practice,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47you've got nine hours where you can do whatever you want.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50On the weekends, sometimes I just want to read and relax.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55But most of the days I want to practise for an exam or a lesson
0:17:55 > 0:17:57to show that I can do the effort.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05My siblings motivate me in a way, and it's just how I was brought up.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10I've just always wanted to improve and always wanted to do well.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Isata makes the biggest sound.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18But Konya's also quite loud.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Jeneba's the softest player.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31When Jeneba's on there,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34it's a better day than if anyone else were on there.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41Me and Jeneba go on a rota.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44There are two other pianos and we go on a rota,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47so one piano's better, the other's worse, and then we switch around,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49so we all get time on a better piano.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01It's more the result of practice that I enjoy,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03as opposed to the actual practice,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07because I love the feeling of being able to perform to an audience.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10That motivates me to do my practice.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19We always come in to each other's practice rooms
0:19:19 > 0:19:21and give each other comments.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23With our sisters as well.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27I think also, because we're siblings, it's easier to say,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30"That wasn't very good. You should do that again,"
0:19:30 > 0:19:32as opposed to saying that to a friend.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36SHE PLAYS CELLO
0:19:37 > 0:19:42My little sister, Mariatu, I guess she probably looks up to me
0:19:42 > 0:19:45because, you know, she's just starting the cello and to see
0:19:45 > 0:19:49an older brother do quite well must be quite nice for her.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Shall we do one more? Oh, sorry.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- That looks...- It's that finger.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00If you look at my wrist,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03and see the bow is parallel and this wrist is also...
0:20:03 > 0:20:05These knuckles are also parallel. You're doing this.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08You just need to bring it forward.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- And then imagine there's something in there...- Yes.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Just a bit of air there, a little mast,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19remember this finger has to be curved, not tense, just loose.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21There you go, there you go.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22MARIATU PLAYS
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Thanks, Sheku.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34That's better already.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43The Kanneh-Masons put in hours of practice at home during the week,
0:20:43 > 0:20:47but it's on Saturdays when the lessons and intensive work really begins.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Morning, Sheku.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51Sheku?
0:20:51 > 0:20:55It's 4.30am, and Kadie wakes Sheku and two of his sisters
0:20:55 > 0:20:58to take them to the Royal Academy of Music in London.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Morning, Sheku.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08It's a 200-mile journey from Nottingham to London.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Kadie has been accompanying her children on this train ride
0:21:11 > 0:21:15every Saturday for the past ten years.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19We do sacrifice a lot for Saturdays and for going to the Academy,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22but the children would not be without it,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24so it doesn't feel like a sacrifice.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27I mean, you're usually asleep
0:21:27 > 0:21:29for the entire journey down just because it's
0:21:29 > 0:21:33so early in the morning. I'm not a morning person.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36So it's quite a commitment, but it's definitely always been worth it.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Music gives a huge amount of joy. They love it.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43I think it gives them a huge amount of self-confidence,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45it gives them some discipline.
0:21:48 > 0:21:54Sheku, you can't walk with your eyes shut. You can't sleep and walk.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59Founded in 1822, the Royal Academy of Music in London is one of
0:21:59 > 0:22:01the finest musical conservatoires in the world.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- Morning.- Morning!
0:22:04 > 0:22:08Every Saturday, 200 of the best young musicians from all over
0:22:08 > 0:22:10the country come to the junior academy
0:22:10 > 0:22:13to improve on their musical ability.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14MUSIC ECHOES
0:22:20 > 0:22:24It's very rare to see a family like this. They're here because
0:22:24 > 0:22:29of their excellent talents, their outstanding talent.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33The moment I heard Sheku the first time... And, you know,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36I can remember it very well - just sitting there, thinking,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40"Wow, this is something special."
0:22:40 > 0:22:42SHEKU PLAYS THE CELLO
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Ben Davies has been teaching Sheku since the age of 11.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54He stands out.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57I think it's his ability to communicate
0:22:57 > 0:22:59and make the music his own.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02As a teacher, I was always clear right from the beginning
0:23:02 > 0:23:05that there was something very special he had and it was my
0:23:05 > 0:23:08job to help him with that, not get in the way of it.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11And that's what I've tried to do, and it's been great fun.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14It's been a real adventure.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19Not a great talker, but when he gets on the cello, he speaks to you.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26I've been with my teacher for about six or seven years,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28so he's a great friend as well as a great teacher,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31and so that relationship's really important.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Oh.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36BEN LAUGHS
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I hopefully, kind of, with the cello, want to perform around
0:23:41 > 0:23:44the world and share the music that I love with audiences
0:23:44 > 0:23:48around the world, so hopefully I'll be able to do that.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Do the shift up to it, have a bit of a break and then play with
0:23:51 > 0:23:55the sound you'd ideally want on that top note.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Anyone who thinks that...
0:24:00 > 0:24:03how Sheku performed in the BBC Young Musician sort of just happens,
0:24:03 > 0:24:07well, we know that's not the case. It doesn't just happen.
0:24:07 > 0:24:14Hours and hours every week of hard, serious, focused practice.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18You can have your money back - that didn't work, did it?
0:24:18 > 0:24:22Sheku is very much on the road to being an international
0:24:22 > 0:24:25concert soloist, I have no doubt about that.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Well, he's getting a lot more attention,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33a lot more offers of concerts.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38What's exciting about it is you, overnight, get a very big profile.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42My life has definitely changed a lot since the competition
0:24:42 > 0:24:43in terms of the concerts.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46I'm just so much more busy and I think,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49although it's kind of...winning the competition was an amazing
0:24:49 > 0:24:54achievement, I also have to realise that it's now the start of
0:24:54 > 0:24:58so much more and now I have to work even harder.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Three, and...
0:24:59 > 0:25:02ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER:- Traditionally, there aren't that many
0:25:14 > 0:25:16solo cellists at any one time in the world,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19so the ones that succeed have to be very focused.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25The life of a soloist is tough.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28People think it's very glamorous, but it isn't.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32To stay at the highest level, you have to be one tough cookie.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Sheku's next goal is to get better at the cello.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42He has to keep improving,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45he has to keep working with Ben, he has to keep listening.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49You have to be very careful about what things you accept
0:25:49 > 0:25:53and what things you turn down and about timing.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56So, he will have to just remain very grounded, very focused.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00He's very young, I mean, he's still only 17.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03We just need to make sure that he doesn't get lonely during
0:26:03 > 0:26:06that period of transitioning from a boy to man.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09- Wait, you actually won BBC?! - Oh, my God!
0:26:09 > 0:26:13- That's so cool. - Well done, Sheku!
0:26:13 > 0:26:15THEY LAUGH
0:26:15 > 0:26:19- Thank you very much. - We're proud of you anyway.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- We're just his posse. - We're his fan club!
0:26:26 > 0:26:27THEY LAUGH
0:26:27 > 0:26:29If I do the packing tonight...
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Otherwise, it'll be a bit too hectic on Friday...
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Running Sheku's diary has become
0:26:34 > 0:26:37an increasingly big job for mum, Kadie.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41Got to go to Adams Row or something, so we've got to work that out.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45The sheer amount of things that he's being offered are just
0:26:45 > 0:26:48unmanageable by an ordinary person like me.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51We'll probably sit on the train and work that out, but the...
0:26:51 > 0:26:54The family have recently signed with agent Kathryn Enticott
0:26:54 > 0:26:57to help manage Sheku's schedule and his burgeoning career.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02I heard and saw the final, but having heard that performance,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I just... I thought, "I HAVE to work with this guy."
0:27:05 > 0:27:09The itinerary is on a different e-mail.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11I'm going to have to draw it inside because there's not much space.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14- I haven't even sorted it out. - I think I've got an e-mail.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17He spoke to me musically in a way not many artists do.
0:27:17 > 0:27:23And I just see the potential in the coming years for him to become
0:27:23 > 0:27:25a very, very important artist.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28OK. So...
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Hang on!
0:27:30 > 0:27:33- So, 10.30. We've got there for 10.30.- Easy.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36So it gives us nearly an hour to get there.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39That interview finishes at 12, so you've got 10.30 to 12,
0:27:39 > 0:27:40you've got an interview.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44We will be responsible for every aspect of Sheku's career.
0:27:44 > 0:27:51We need to be thinking about 2018, 2019, potential recording repertoire
0:27:51 > 0:27:54and releases going forward... It's a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Sheku doesn't actually know his life, he just leaves
0:27:57 > 0:27:59everything in the hand of mum and dad and his agent
0:27:59 > 0:28:01and just kind of... They're like,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03"You got a concert next week, Sheku." He's like, "Oh, OK."
0:28:03 > 0:28:07My job is to play cello, not organise my life.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10MUSIC: Buffalo Soldier by Bob Marley
0:28:18 > 0:28:21I've grown up listening to a lot of Bob Marley
0:28:21 > 0:28:23and that kind of thing, so...
0:28:23 > 0:28:26After classical music, of course, he's my favourite artist.
0:28:26 > 0:28:32I just love his music and his lyrics and the relaxed feel in his songs.
0:28:32 > 0:28:33It's just cool.
0:28:33 > 0:28:38But I also think it's important to celebrate the music of black
0:28:38 > 0:28:45musicians because it's amazing, kind of, what they've achieved and to
0:28:45 > 0:28:47appreciate that is really important.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50But, obviously, I am aware that...
0:28:50 > 0:28:54of the lack of diversity in classical music
0:28:54 > 0:28:57and how it's portrayed.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59# Stolen from Africa... #
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Currently, just 5% of classical music professionals
0:29:02 > 0:29:06working in the UK identify as black and minority ethnic.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12But there is one person who is taking steps to change this.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku has set up
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Europe's first professional orchestra
0:29:18 > 0:29:21made up entirely of black and ethnic minority musicians.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26I'm the founder of Chineke! Foundation,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29which is an orchestra set up
0:29:29 > 0:29:34specifically to address the status quo in classical music.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40The thing with the Chineke! Orchestra is that it's creating
0:29:40 > 0:29:44a platform for more people who don't otherwise get to play
0:29:44 > 0:29:46in some of these orchestras.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51The Kanneh-Mason siblings have performed onstage numerous times.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55But the forthcoming Chineke! concert is something they are all
0:29:55 > 0:29:57looking forward to being part of.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01I hope that me and my family can be an image where we can be seen
0:30:01 > 0:30:05as a group of people who have proved that it's possible for
0:30:05 > 0:30:08people of our race to play classical music just as well
0:30:08 > 0:30:10as any other person.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12It's that sound!
0:30:12 > 0:30:16'It's quite a weird feeling to think that what we're doing
0:30:16 > 0:30:21'is not very normal. Just growing up in that environment
0:30:21 > 0:30:23'has always been normal to us.'
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Being a black family breaking into the classical world,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32we do feel in a way that it's been a struggle to get this far.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34There's definitely a cultural struggle
0:30:34 > 0:30:36and a struggle about expectation.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40When they go and perform, people don't expect them to be good.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44There is definitely that, but in some ways, that's a driver.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47The children, when they play, feel that if they play badly,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50then people think that black people play badly.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53They've always felt they've had to be ten times better than everybody else.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00All of us have been kind of aware of being one of the few people
0:31:00 > 0:31:04in classical music and being black, and it's been something
0:31:04 > 0:31:08that we've always wanted to kind of change and make, you know,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12being young, black and playing classical music a bit more normal.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17APPLAUSE
0:31:21 > 0:31:26One of the promises I made about Chineke! is that everyone was equal,
0:31:26 > 0:31:30that there was not going to be a soloist coming on
0:31:30 > 0:31:32being the bee's knees.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36That we, or all the musicians on stage, were important
0:31:36 > 0:31:41and playing a role in the mission, the job, that Chineke! has to do.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46When Sheku won BBC Young Musician and became the first black winner
0:31:46 > 0:31:49of the competition, Chi-chi changed her rules.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53There's a list of people who can solo with the Chineke! Orchestra.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55But Sheku has made history.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59At the end of the summer, Sheku will make his Royal Festival Hall
0:31:59 > 0:32:03debut playing Haydn's Cello Concerto in C.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Sheku, are you ready for your Haydn?
0:32:06 > 0:32:11I will be ready for my Haydn, yes. I'm very much on track.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13THEY LAUGH
0:32:13 > 0:32:15THEY PRACTISE CELLO
0:32:18 > 0:32:22With school now finished for summer, the Kanneh-Masons are taking
0:32:22 > 0:32:25a well-earned holiday to Snowdonia in Wales,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29and everybody has their own idea of what to pack.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34We've got tennis rackets, we've got balls... Have we got balls?
0:32:34 > 0:32:36- No, not yet.- Buckets and spades...
0:32:36 > 0:32:38We haven't got balls? OK, we'll get balls.
0:32:39 > 0:32:45Of course, clothes, pyjamas, raincoats, hoodies...
0:32:45 > 0:32:49I don't even know what all this stuff is.
0:32:49 > 0:32:50Bubble bath, we got bubble bath.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55Awww...
0:32:57 > 0:33:01- You know, you wish you hadn't emptied something out...- One sec.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05I'm looking for the swimming caps.
0:33:05 > 0:33:06SHE LAUGHS
0:33:06 > 0:33:12Oh... Oh! Hang on. Yes!
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Mariatu, I've found them.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17And the goggles, because the goggles look really pretty.
0:33:17 > 0:33:18You won't need goggles on a beach.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20No, but trust me, it'd look so cool.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23You might not even get to a beach, it might just rain every day.
0:33:23 > 0:33:30Oh, outside looks really nice. Or does it actually look like this?
0:33:30 > 0:33:34The holidays to Wales are very important because it's...
0:33:34 > 0:33:38We step outside of everything, the work, the pressure...
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Perhaps we could...
0:33:45 > 0:33:50Perhaps, the cellos, we can just put on people's laps, just...
0:33:50 > 0:33:53No, one cello, we've got to have permanently in.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58The other one could be... Because it's temporary.
0:33:58 > 0:33:59- It could just go in there?- OK.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Actually, Braimah, can you stop that? It's horrible, please!
0:34:06 > 0:34:10It's vile! Vile!
0:34:10 > 0:34:12THEY LAUGH
0:34:12 > 0:34:16This is, like, too much.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22But even on holiday, the Kanneh-Masons' instruments come too.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26You're squashing my toys!
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Why don't you play the flute or something?
0:34:29 > 0:34:31But finding space for them all is a struggle.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Now, a violin on my lap!
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- Dad!- Has it gone?
0:34:48 > 0:34:51For the Kanneh-Masons, the summer holidays are one of the few
0:34:51 > 0:34:54opportunities they get to all spend together.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59The fact that Stuart's with us for the whole time is
0:34:59 > 0:35:02a big thing as well, cos he's usually away at work.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06So just being together as a family with nothing interrupting that,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08that's fantastic.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13THEY SHOUT OVER ONE ANOTHER
0:35:13 > 0:35:17It's after dark, and the family get the chance to embrace
0:35:17 > 0:35:18their competitive spirit.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Chugging! Chugging! I said chugging!
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- What was the word, Kadie? - Guzzling.- Nobody said guzzling.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28CELLO MUSIC PLAYS
0:35:31 > 0:35:35But even on holiday, the siblings find time for their music.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Braimah, just so you know, Sheku's back soon.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Sheku needs to practise his solo for the upcoming Chineke! concert
0:35:49 > 0:35:52and wants input from his elder brother, Braimah.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00THEY LAUGH
0:36:00 > 0:36:05Play the Haydn. Go from "doo-do-doo-do-doo-do-doo".
0:36:05 > 0:36:07SHEKU PLAYS
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Yes, just make sure that the first note of that sounds...
0:36:16 > 0:36:19That bow change could be slightly smoother.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Yeah...
0:36:34 > 0:36:36I'd say, Chineke! is definitely, you know,
0:36:36 > 0:36:38the most important thing that we've ever been a part of.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43And we believe passionately in the message that it brings.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46And I think, because of that, you know,
0:36:46 > 0:36:51Sheku's going to prepare for this concerto like nothing else.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54To play in the concerto and being the first to perform
0:36:54 > 0:36:56in a concerto with the orchestra is like...
0:36:56 > 0:37:00I'm kind of representing quite a lot in this one performance.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02But, you know,
0:37:02 > 0:37:07it's always inspiring being the majority as opposed to the minority.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09You've got quite a lot of responsibility on your shoulders
0:37:09 > 0:37:12because you're kind of standing for...
0:37:12 > 0:37:17or what it means to be a young black musician.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21You're kind of representing that, so make it exemplary.
0:37:21 > 0:37:22THEY LAUGH
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Exactly.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Yeah, it's a lot of pressure, but I think at the same time,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31- it's a pretty exciting opportunity, so...- It's an honour, really.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34- It's an honour, yeah. It is an honour.- It is an honour.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Today, Kadie and Sheku have travelled to London to meet with his
0:37:40 > 0:37:45agent, Kathryn, to discuss the demands of his new-found popularity.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48The next steps are very difficult to work out,
0:37:48 > 0:37:51because I'm not a musician, I don't have experience about where
0:37:51 > 0:37:55to go next, and so Kathryn's very good at giving advice
0:37:55 > 0:37:58and saying to us, "These are the things we need think about."
0:37:58 > 0:38:03We all feel, on the back of the Young Musician win,
0:38:03 > 0:38:05there's a buzz about Sheku, there's a real interest.
0:38:05 > 0:38:10So it is important that probably late next year he make a recording
0:38:10 > 0:38:16so he remains in the public eye as he continues to develop.
0:38:16 > 0:38:22Even before the final, Sheku had been approached by one major
0:38:22 > 0:38:27record company, and subsequently, I was approached by three other
0:38:27 > 0:38:30labels and they're all very interested in working with him.
0:38:31 > 0:38:36So, what do you think, on reflection, about the Decca meeting?
0:38:36 > 0:38:40I was quite reassured by the fact that they seem really
0:38:40 > 0:38:43prepared to take a long-term view and not to rush you and to
0:38:43 > 0:38:47understand how important it is that you find time to study.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51- Yeah.- It felt like a very personal fit, I felt.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54It was about you, not just an artist in general.
0:38:54 > 0:39:00They clearly see potential for Sheku to reach out to
0:39:00 > 0:39:02a different sort of audience
0:39:02 > 0:39:05to the normal classical-buying consumer.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10It's critical that he stays grounded, and I feel it's my
0:39:10 > 0:39:13responsibility to ensure that it doesn't go to his head
0:39:13 > 0:39:17and things don't happen too quickly in the wrong way.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21You could be exceptionally talented and your career can plummet
0:39:21 > 0:39:24after a year or two if it's not carefully managed
0:39:24 > 0:39:26and handled in the right way.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29I think Sheku's suddenly going to find that
0:39:29 > 0:39:32he has to cope with lots of things he's never experienced before.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36Sheku's got to shut out all the noise, all the hype,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39he's just got to dedicate himself to the music and he's got to be
0:39:39 > 0:39:44his own man, and he must not do things that
0:39:44 > 0:39:46he doesn't feel is right for him to do.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50One thing Sheku is committed to is trying to get bring classical
0:39:50 > 0:39:52music to a younger audience.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56We're coming for an interview for iCoolKid.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01We've had a lot of requests for interviews, and we've had
0:40:01 > 0:40:05approaches from youth internet channels
0:40:05 > 0:40:09because they think he's exactly the kind of person and artist who
0:40:09 > 0:40:13can engage with their audience. It's very exciting.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Boys and girls, please welcome...
0:40:15 > 0:40:17DRUMROLL
0:40:17 > 0:40:19..Sheku!
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Do you hang out with people like Mick Jagger?
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Yes, of course. I'll say hi to them.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30And the great thing about Sheku is that young people
0:40:30 > 0:40:34do think that he's hip and cool, and so they will listen to him
0:40:34 > 0:40:38in a way that they might not with some of his older colleagues.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40I'm definitely getting better at interviews
0:40:40 > 0:40:43and speaking in front of cameras.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Hopefully, I'm doing very well at the moment.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50I wouldn't say I'm a pro yet, but I'm getting there.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Somebody who understands the pressures of being a successful musician
0:40:55 > 0:40:58and living life in the spotlight is international violinist
0:40:58 > 0:41:01and fellow BBC Young Musician winner Nicola Benedetti.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05'OK, I'm coming down to get you.'
0:41:06 > 0:41:11Sorry. My door is just so annoying sometimes. It's so good to see you.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13How are you doing? Congratulations.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38Having watched from the sidelines since his win, I can see a lot
0:41:38 > 0:41:43of parallels between what I went through and what he's going through.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45One of the difficulties he will find,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47because he will not be short of engagements,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50is balancing development with live performance,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53with a professional life, a professional career.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55That can be a difficult thing.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01What would you say are the worries
0:42:01 > 0:42:03about being exposed by a competition like that?
0:42:03 > 0:42:07The feeling of all eyes on you.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10That's not going to dissipate.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12That only intensifies.
0:42:12 > 0:42:18The main thing that I can say is for you to try to understand
0:42:18 > 0:42:24as seriously as possible who you are inside, what you want to say,
0:42:24 > 0:42:26what you want to do with the platform you've been given.
0:42:26 > 0:42:31So start to deal with your life philosophy at this stage.
0:42:31 > 0:42:36First of all, it will strengthen your playing and your musicianship,
0:42:36 > 0:42:40but it will act as something of a barrier
0:42:40 > 0:42:44and like a protective barrier around you
0:42:44 > 0:42:47against people that may seem like they're doing things
0:42:47 > 0:42:50that are for you, but they're not really for you.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52If you could look into the next two years
0:42:52 > 0:42:56and say your biggest apprehension is X, what would it be?
0:42:56 > 0:42:58Does anything stress you out?
0:43:00 > 0:43:02Not really. Not really.
0:43:02 > 0:43:07I mean, I guess school exams probably more than performances, to be honest.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11I love it! Oh, God, yeah.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15I mean, fair enough. They stressed me out a lot.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17You need to get stressed about something.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20You need to have a level of anxiety
0:43:20 > 0:43:25and angst about something, because...
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Maybe you'll get your heart broken. That will do the trick.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35Because the music demands that of you.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37So you just have to...
0:43:37 > 0:43:40That's the challenge I'm setting you.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44With his big solo performance fast approaching,
0:43:44 > 0:43:48the Kanneh-Masons still have one important task to focus on.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52OK, so we need to try and find a good cello because you need
0:43:52 > 0:43:55something that's just going to project through the whole room.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58If you're going to play at the Royal Festival Hall,
0:43:58 > 0:44:01you need a big concert cello.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04We just have to carry on searching because obviously we can't buy one.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07The costs just build.
0:44:07 > 0:44:12The lessons, the instruments, the maintaining of the instruments.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16For example, rehairing cello or a violin bow costs about £60.
0:44:16 > 0:44:21If a string breaks, it costs £85 a string for the cello.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24It's had a massive impact on maintaining the house
0:44:24 > 0:44:28and I always feel embarrassed inviting people round
0:44:28 > 0:44:31because I think they're going to notice the wallpaper peeling,
0:44:31 > 0:44:32things that we can't fix.
0:44:32 > 0:44:36So if some plumbing's not working, we will deal with that leak
0:44:36 > 0:44:38for much longer than we should with a bucket!
0:44:39 > 0:44:43It's seven days before the Chineke! Orchestra's concert.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48Sheku has been given the news that he is to be reunited
0:44:48 > 0:44:51with the cello he played at the BBC Young Musician final.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56Yeah, I've definitely missed it.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58Have you named it?
0:44:58 > 0:45:02- I haven't named it, no. - Will you name it?
0:45:02 > 0:45:05- It's not mine, so I feel... - Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
0:45:05 > 0:45:06It's not mine to name.
0:45:08 > 0:45:12- And I get too attached, and then... - Yeah, yeah. Heartbreak.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15- Once it's got a name, then it's... - Yeah, too much.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18Festival Hall is a huge hall to fill.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21It's my first time playing in that hall,
0:45:21 > 0:45:25so it will be great to have an instrument that's going to help me.
0:45:25 > 0:45:29As in Harry Potter, you know, the wand chooses the wizard.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32Because, you know, some people love an instrument and then others,
0:45:32 > 0:45:35it would sound completely terrible, so it's...
0:45:35 > 0:45:37I mean, not to that extreme -
0:45:37 > 0:45:40when an instrument's good, it's generally good for everyone,
0:45:40 > 0:45:43but there's subtle things that each individual player
0:45:43 > 0:45:45looks for in an instrument.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49The cello is being looked after by Florian Leonhard,
0:45:49 > 0:45:53a renowned string instrument dealership in Hampstead, London.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56The instrument that we're going to be loaning Sheku
0:45:56 > 0:46:00is a very special cello made by the Brothers Amati.
0:46:00 > 0:46:05These cellos dated from between 1610 and 1625,
0:46:05 > 0:46:08so one of the first cellos ever made.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12And that's what makes it special - rarity.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14We will obviously want to work with someone like Sheku.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16He is such a good cellist.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19We have this cello that we can work with someone with,
0:46:19 > 0:46:20who's it going to be?
0:46:20 > 0:46:22It's going to be this guy.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24All right. Here we are.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31- Looks the same?- Yeah, yeah, definitely missed it.
0:46:31 > 0:46:35For me, as a sort of geek of these things,
0:46:35 > 0:46:39I do think that it is incredible that such an old instrument still...
0:46:39 > 0:46:41- It looks incredible. - Yeah, it still survives.
0:46:41 > 0:46:42- It does look amazing.- Yeah.
0:46:42 > 0:46:47It has been through, you know, quite a number of players' hands
0:46:47 > 0:46:48who've used it quite a lot,
0:46:48 > 0:46:52and I just think it's an incredible thing to think that
0:46:52 > 0:46:55we were not able to improve upon this.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58Like, it's not like a car where we're just constantly improving.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02We still go, "Oh, I need that thing that was made 400 years ago.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05"That's going to be the one." It's very cool.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07- Shall we take it down and try it? - Yeah.
0:47:12 > 0:47:13OK, let's go.
0:47:44 > 0:47:46It looks like the cello is just an extension of your body
0:47:46 > 0:47:48when you play that cello.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50It's kind of like just carving out whatever you want.
0:47:50 > 0:47:55It's great to have an instrument like this to play on, yeah.
0:47:56 > 0:47:57Just out of interest,
0:47:57 > 0:48:00how much would an instrument like this be worth?
0:48:01 > 0:48:06It's currently insured for several hundred thousand pounds.
0:48:06 > 0:48:08Quite scary to kind of walk with that on my back.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23- See you.- Take care. - Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26Definitely very sorted for the concert in terms of
0:48:26 > 0:48:28got the right instrument, learnt the piece,
0:48:28 > 0:48:32and now it's just for the rehearsals, so it should be good.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34It's the day of the first rehearsal for Chineke.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38The 72 members of the orchestra have six days to prepare
0:48:38 > 0:48:42for the concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45This is the first time they have all met, let alone played together.
0:48:47 > 0:48:48Hi, how are you?
0:48:51 > 0:48:54This is my first time in the Chineke! Orchestra.
0:48:54 > 0:48:59It's strange to see so many black faces in an orchestra.
0:48:59 > 0:49:00It's quite touching.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03You know, I'm actually myself surprised to see
0:49:03 > 0:49:07so many black people playing so well classical music.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10Everybody can do it. Blacks can do it.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12The Indians are doing it, the Chinese are doing it,
0:49:12 > 0:49:14everybody should do it. Africa should do it.
0:49:14 > 0:49:16Yeah, that's the point.
0:49:24 > 0:49:30Wow, that's the most dramatic silence I've ever heard in my life.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33I can't thank you enough for all being here.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35I'm Chi-chi Nwanoku, by the way,
0:49:35 > 0:49:38just for those of you that I haven't really met properly.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45For me, this is my other family, and we've added to our...
0:49:45 > 0:49:49Not only to our numbers, but we've added to our reach of countries.
0:49:49 > 0:49:53We've got Kenya with us today, we've got Aboriginal with us,
0:49:53 > 0:49:58we've got Egypt, we've got Mexico, we've got Portugal, we've got...
0:49:58 > 0:49:59- Germany.- Germany!
0:50:01 > 0:50:04It's really, really crucial that the way that
0:50:04 > 0:50:09the Chineke! Orchestra behaves has to be exemplary.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11Of course, there's always going to be
0:50:11 > 0:50:16a little bit of extra notice because of who we are and what we represent,
0:50:16 > 0:50:18but there will be people who want to see us fall
0:50:18 > 0:50:22through the cracks or not play very well or not behave very well,
0:50:22 > 0:50:25so we just have to be on our guard.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28Chineke! 2016, it's about to happen. Thank you.
0:50:30 > 0:50:35What my family and young black musicians are starting to do now
0:50:35 > 0:50:40is obviously very different to the general image of classical music,
0:50:40 > 0:50:42but I think if we kind of do it to such a high level,
0:50:42 > 0:50:46then it becomes something to look up to and to be inspired by.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49ORCHESTRA TUNE UP
0:51:04 > 0:51:07It's the day of the Chineke! concert.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10The Kanneh-Masons have arrived in anticipation
0:51:10 > 0:51:12of a huge night for their family.
0:51:15 > 0:51:20The orchestra have one final rehearsal before their biggest performance to date.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22Yeah, I'm excited, actually.
0:51:22 > 0:51:26Yeah, it's a big place. I just... Yeah. It's a big hall.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29I can't believe Sheku is here and then, of course,
0:51:29 > 0:51:31you know, Braimah and Isata.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33So, it's great. You know, it's fantastic.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36I hope I don't get into floods of tears later on, but we'll see.
0:51:36 > 0:51:38You never know, do you?
0:51:39 > 0:51:41I'm really excited for the concert.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45It feels really empowering to be amongst all these musicians, really.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48It's a huge day and I'm feeling nervous and excited.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52- Nervous first, then excited. You're the other way around.- Yeah.
0:51:52 > 0:51:58My cousin, you know, who has flown over especially from Antigua,
0:51:58 > 0:52:02he's managed to get here by hook or by crook just to see...
0:52:02 > 0:52:07- Via Barbados, I think.- Via Barbados from Antigua just for this concert.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11- So it's wonderful. - You notice I put on my Antigua tie.
0:52:12 > 0:52:16I'm representing all the Antiguan family who could not be here.
0:52:16 > 0:52:21And I just had to come. Really looking forward to the performance.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26With the classical music press out in force and a discerning audience
0:52:26 > 0:52:30taking their seats, the nerves are affecting everyone.
0:52:30 > 0:52:36I'm feeling in a sort of bubble, actually, slightly wrung out.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39The tears happened all before I left the house this morning.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42You know, I woke up and thought, "Gosh, today is the day."
0:52:42 > 0:52:44It's definitely going to be an emotional moment.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46It's like walking out with your family.
0:52:46 > 0:52:48And because we've been working kind of
0:52:48 > 0:52:52so closely together for the whole week and then now is the kind of
0:52:52 > 0:52:56time to perform and to show it to the audience, it's quite a...
0:52:56 > 0:52:58Yeah. It's going to be good.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00There are a few things that can go wrong.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03We've all come from different walks of life.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05No two same people of us have worked together,
0:53:05 > 0:53:08so we've all come from different styles, different ideas,
0:53:08 > 0:53:11different attitudes, different training, and now...
0:53:11 > 0:53:14But, you know, we're bringing people in from across the globe.
0:53:14 > 0:53:18The work of Chineke! is not just for the benefit of black
0:53:18 > 0:53:21and minority ethnic people,
0:53:21 > 0:53:26the entire world will benefit from a more diverse inclusion
0:53:26 > 0:53:28in classical music.
0:53:28 > 0:53:33I think there will be a lot of expectation for my performance.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36But, yes, it's playing...
0:53:36 > 0:53:39Yeah, and just playing high to the Festival Hall.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41- Playing a high standard.- Yeah.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43THEY PRACTISE
0:53:49 > 0:53:50Me particularly,
0:53:50 > 0:53:54I think I feel pressure because I'm sitting next to, you know,
0:53:54 > 0:53:57people that have graduated from world-class conservatoires
0:53:57 > 0:54:01and I haven't even had my conservatoire education.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03I'm just a schoolboy, really.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05If anyone can do it, it's you.
0:54:05 > 0:54:09And you've brought so much to the whole project.
0:54:09 > 0:54:13And just, you know, tonight's your night, really, and Chineke.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16- So, enjoy.- Thank you.- Enjoy.
0:54:16 > 0:54:17- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20Right, on we go with a purposeful stride.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22Toi, toi, everyone.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28APPLAUSE
0:54:56 > 0:54:58CHEERING
0:57:06 > 0:57:10CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:57:31 > 0:57:34I think there's nowhere Sheku can't go
0:57:34 > 0:57:36if he puts his mind and his talent to it.
0:57:36 > 0:57:39I think he has a fantastic opportunity
0:57:39 > 0:57:41to be one of the great cellists.
0:57:43 > 0:57:45There's absolutely no reason
0:57:45 > 0:57:51why he will not be the next big international name.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56His potential is endless.
0:57:56 > 0:58:00It's really at this point just about what he chooses to do,
0:58:00 > 0:58:06where his heart lies and where he wants to channel his energies.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13CHEERING