Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 September 2022 Period start date To 31 August 2023 Period end date
Charity name: City of Bristol Choir
Charity registration number: 1015961
Objectives and Activities
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
“To promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals and by such other means as the Choir, through its committee,shall determine from time to time.” |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
City of Bristol Choir 2022-2023 13 November 2022 – Remembrance Sunday Concert, St George’s Concert Hall, 6pm Blackford’s_Pietà_and Vaughan Williams;Dona nobis pacem. Soloists Felix Kemp and Rebecca Afonwy-Jones 17 December 2022 Christmas Spectacular, St George’s Bristol With Bristol Ensemble 20 December 2022 Festive Fiesta, St George’s, Bristol With Bristol Ensemble 24 March 2023, That Friday Feeling Concert, All Saints Church, 7:45pm My beloved spake Patrick Hadley Ubi caritas Maurice Duruflé O sing unto the Lord Cecilia McDowall Let all mortal flesh keep silence Edward Bairstow Beati quorum via Charles Villiers Stanford Five Spirituals from A Child of our Time Michael Tippett Organ: Épiphanie Gaston Litaize The Call Gail Randall |
| Faire is the heaven William H. Harris Ave Verum Colin Mawby Northern Lights Ola Gjeilo Magnificat from St Paul’s Service Herbert Howells 25 June 2023 Then Sing We All, St George’s Concert Hall, 6pm Jazz Cantata – Then Sing We All, Iain Farrington Stars, Night, Music and Light Judith Weir Two Songs and Sonnets George Shearing They can’t take that away from me George Gershwin Summertime George Gershwin Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day Owain Park Excerpts from Sacred Concert Duke Ellington |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Yes |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policy on grant making | There is no policy but decisions are taken on a case by case basis by the Trustees and the committee for the commission of new musical works and to award Bursary Scholarships for young singers. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Volunteer stewards, committee members, librarian and front of house team are thanked publicly and thanks are published in the concert programmes. |
| Other | N/A |
Achievements and Performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
13 November 2022 – Remembrance Sunday Concert, St George’s Concert Hall, 6pm The Remembrance Sunday Concert was a resounding success, receiving widespread positive reviews. The program featured impactful performances of Blackford's Pietà and Vaughan Williams' Dona nobis pacem, showcasing the talents of soloists Felix Kemp and Rebecca Afonwy-Jones. The concert not only paid tribute to Remembrance Sunday but also left a lasting impression on the audience with its emotive and powerful musical renditions. The combination of compelling compositions and outstanding soloists contributed to the overall success of the event, earning it high praise from the audience. The composer, Blackford was in attendance and we also collaborated with Bristol Youth Choir to further our objective of supporting emerging music talent. 17 December 2022 Christmas Spectacular, St George’s Bristol City of Bristol Choir accompanied the Bristol Ensemble and delivered the Christmas Spectacular at St George's Bristol that captivated the audience and proved, again, to be a resounding success. This festive event, flled with holiday cheer, featured the choir's renditions of classic Christmas carols and seasonal favourites. The collaboration with the Bristol Ensemble, as always, added a rich musical dimension to the performance, elevating the overall experience. 20 December 2022 Festive Fiesta, St George’s, Bristol As above, but this version of our collaborative concert with the Bristol Ensemble involves a bit more audience participation. There are more carols for the audience to join in with and just generally, there is a slightly more celebratory atmosphere for this concert. 24 March 2023, That Friday Feeling Concert, All Saints Church, 7:45pm As a slightly new idea /initiative for a concert, CBC put on “That Friday Feeling” in March 2023.The Choir performed a full programme with no interval which meant the running time was shorter, with no interval and was on a Friday night, avoiding clashes with other musical performances in Bristol. It proved to be a spectacular success, leaving the audience enraptured with an evening of diverse, feel-good musical performances. The programme featured a rich selection of choral pieces, spanning various composers and styles, showcasing the versatility and talent of theperformers. The musical offering |
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seamlessly transitioned through a range of emotions, from the uplifting "Faire is the heaven" by William H. Harris to the serene "Ave Verum" by Colin Mawby. It was a great experiment and having sold out the audience, CBC have resolved to try a similar concert to this formula in March 2024. 25 June 2023 Then Sing We All, St George’s Concert Hall, 6pm "Then Sing We All" was an exceptional musical event that unfolded excellently. The evening featured a diverse array of compositions that seamlessly blended Jazz-type genres, captivating the audience with a unique evening experience. The concert included the first performance of Iain Farrington's Jazz Cantata, "Then Sing We All," set the tone for the concert, showcasing a fusion of jazz elements with traditional choral arrangements. This was accompanied by a number of other works including Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert. The fusion of sacred and jazz elements in Ellington's work provided a fitting reflection of the concert’s aim; to combine the more traditional choral elements of City of Bristol choir with a small jazz trio. It was a hugely effective concert and even better for being hosted in the beautiful space of St George’s concert Hall.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
City of Bristol Choir enjoyed a remarkably successful year from September 2022 to August 2023, marked by a diverse and challenging repertoire that showcased the choir's capability and high musical standards. This period proved to be yet another successful year for the choir, executing some of their key objectives and goals. The primary objectives for the year included commissioning new works, performing in various venues across the city, and fostering extensive collaborations with other performers. These goals were not only met but surpassed, refecting the choir's commitment to promoting, improving, developing, and maintaining public education in (and appreciation of) the art and gift of music. An additional triumph was witnessed in good ticket sales throughout the year, a testament to the choir's popularity and the effectiveness of its expert, thoughtful programming. This success not onlyfulflled the objective |
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| of protecting the existing audience but also contributed to the growth of the choir's viewership. The 2022-2023 season was indeed a banner year for City of Bristol Choir, marked by artistic excellence and a commitment to maintaining high musical & performance standards. |
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| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
N/A |
| Investment performance against objectives |
N/A |
| Other | N/A |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Choir’s finances have held up well despite emerging from the difficulties of the pandemic, a large investment in staging in 2020/21, increased costs and two concerts last year in St George’s, one of which made a significant loss. An increase in subscription income and an increase in performance fees helped to balance the loss. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | City of Bristol Choir tries to maintain a reserve of at least £5000 to support the Choir’s on-going activities and to provide a contingency fund in case of poor ticket sales or unexpected costs. The accompanying Accounts quantify three designated funds (the CBC Bursary Fund, the Commissions Fund and the CBC Tour Fund) and explain their purposes. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Minimum of £5000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
charity continuing as a going concern
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Subscriptions from members Concert income Grants and awards for specific projects or concerts |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The principal risks to the Choir are first; ensuring that audiences continue to attend concerts given the growing competition for musical performances in and around Bristol and secondly, that membership remains at an optimum level to deliver the aims and objectives of the choir and to generate subscription income. The Trustees continue to review this and the choir’s position remains satisfactory. |
| Other | N/A | |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Written constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 |
City of Bristol Choir is an unincorporated association regulated by its constitution, adopted at a specially convened Extraordinary General Meeting of the Choir on 26thNovember 1992 and amended at specially convened EGMs of the Choir on 9thSeptember 2001, 29thJune 2003 and at the AGM on 19thJune 2014. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 |
In accordance with the amended Constitution adopted at the AGM on 19thJune 2014, the Trustees are drawn from the members of the Choir and elected by a simple majority of members at the Charity’s Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting. They hold office until the next Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | New Trustees are mentored and they meet with outgoing or current Trustees depending what, if any role, they will play on the committee. All Trustees are advised of the expectations and duties of Trustees and their attention is specifically drawn to www. Gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-invol ved |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | N/A |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | N/A |
| Other | N/A | |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | City of Bristol Choir |
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| Other name the charity uses |
N/A |
| Registered charity number |
1015961 |
| Charity’s principal address |
City of Bristol Choir 9 Sandstone Rise, Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 1BB |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Cunningham | Chair | City of Bristol Choir |
| Ian Blenkinsop | Treasurer | “ |
| Tim Jackson | Secretary | “ |
| Rose Lancaster | MembershipSec. | “ |
| Peter Lunt | Concert Manager | “ |
| Alice Howse | Ticket Sec. | “ |
| Helen Burke | PublicityOfficer | “ |
| Julia Loveless | Vice Chair | from 25th May2023 “ |
| Nigel Harradine | Trustee | from 25th May2023 “ |
| JennyHemming | Trustee | from 25th May2023 “ |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
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| N/A | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
N/A |
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| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
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| N/A | |||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A Other optional information N/A
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)_ _
Full name(s)_ JULIA LOVELESS__
Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair etc)_CHAIR (as of 1st February 2024)_
Date__2nd April 2024_____
CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME Notes Subscriptions Gift Aid Donations and grants Concert Income 2 Performance Fees Sponsorship and fundraising Sale of goods 3 Interest received EXPENDITURE Rehearsal Costs Concert expenditure 2 Performance Costs Cost of goods sold 3 Grants and commissions Subscriptions paid Insurance Amortisation and depreciation Professional Costs Tour Expenses Stock Write Off NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) FUNDS AT 1 SEPTEMBER FUNDS AT 31 AUGUST |
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 2023 £ £ £ £ £ Other CBC Bursary CBC Tour Commissions Total Funds Fund Fund Fund 20,053 20,053 5,224 0 5,224 251 0 251 16,075 16,075 6,466 6,466 404 2,000 2,404 2,400 2,400 50 50 |
2022 £ 16,516 2,670 2,900 17,209 4,439 0 166 6 |
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| 50,923 2,000 0 52,923 15,190 15,190 26,340 26,340 1,927 1,927 2,210 2,210 250 0 250 53 53 201 201 914 914 2,705 2,705 1,654 1,654 860.64 50,401 250 1,654 0 51,444 522 (250) 346 0 618 24,990 627 (248) 4,176 29,545 |
43,906 | |
| 13,802 22,478 1,108 0 4,500 40 137 785 492 |
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| 0 43,342 |
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| 564 28,981 |
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| 25,512 377 98 4,176 30,163 |
29,545 |
CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
BALANCE SHEET
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
| Notes FIXED ASSETS 4 CURRENT ASSETS Music Library 1,5 Stock Gift Aid receivable Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand COIF Deposit Account CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors and Accruals NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS RESERVES General Funds CBC Tour Fund 6 CBC Bursary Fund 6 CBC Commissions Fund 6 |
2023 £ £ £ £ £ Other CBC Bursary CBC Tour Commissions Total Funds Fund Fund Fund 10,521 10,521 1,917 1,917 0 0 5,074 5,074 527 527 10,180 377 98 4,176 14,831 1,000 1,000 |
2022 £ 10,709 1,385 861 5,309 3,236 8,497 1,000 |
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| 18,698 377 98 4,176 23,349 3,707 3,707 3,707 3,707 14,991 377 98 4,176 19,642 25,512 377 98 4,176 30,163 25,512 25,512 98 98 377 377 4,176 4,176 25,512 377 98 4,176 30,163 |
20,288 | |
| 1,452 | ||
| 1,452 | ||
| 18,836 | ||
| 29,545 | ||
| 24,990 (248) 627 4,176 |
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| 29,545 |
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf
J Loveless S Pascall Chairman Treasurer
CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. Accounting policies
Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic costs in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015), and with the Charities Act 1993. The basis of accounting has not changed during the year
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties which might affect the ability of the Choir to continue
Public benefit
The Choir is a public benefit entity
Recognition of income
Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SofA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources; the Trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability
Income with related expenditure
Where income has related expenditure, such as concert income, the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SofA
Grants and donations
Grants and donations are only included in the SofA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. From time to time the choir has acted as agent in collecting money from choir members for charitable purposes and gifts. These amounts are not included in the accounts at year end. The total amount excluded was £413.51.
Tax reclaims on donations, subscriptions and gifts
Income from tax reclaims is included in the SofA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
Contractual income and performance related grants
This is only included in the SofA once the related services have been delivered.
Investment Income
This is included in the accounts when receivable.
Liability recognition
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets comprise folding chairs used in concert performances, which are depreciated over 10 years on a straight-line basis, recording equipment, which is depreciated over five years on a straight line basis, and concert staging, which is depreciated to net residual value over twenty years on a straight line basis.
Music Library
Items held by the choir for its own use, or for rental by other choirs, are the subject of an annual stocktake. To recognise the reducing value of copies over time, their value is amortised over a period of 5 years, on a reducing balance basis
Stock
Stock write off comprises compact disc recordings.
CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
2. Concert income and expenditure
| Income Ticket Sales Grants Received Total Income Expenditure Musicians and soloists Venue costs Music Hire Programme Costs Refreshment Costs Publicity and postage Commission on ticket sales Other costs Surplus/(deficit) 3. Sale of goods Income Expenditure Surplus/Deficit |
That Music of Friday Then Sing Remembrance Feeling We All Celebration £ £ £ £ 6,203 3,560 5,312 0 1,000 0 0 0 |
2023 Total £ 15,075 1,000 |
2022 Total £ 17,209 6,900 |
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| 7,203 3,560 5,312 0 9,877 150 1,000 0 2,514 300 2,292 0 1,328 754 932 0 295 95 60 0 0 236 0 0 1,482 987 1,024 0 625 91 569 0 495 218 1,016 0 16,616 2,831 6,893 0 (9,413) 729 (1,581) 0 Music CD Sales Sales £ £ 2,400 0 2,210 0 190 0 |
16,075 11,027 5,106 3,014 450 236 3,493 1,285 1,729 26,340 (10,265) 2023 Total £ 2,400 2,210 190 |
24,109 | |
| 10,981 5,500 964 605 172 3,830 1,542 3,039 |
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| 26,633 | |||
| (2,524) | |||
| 2022 Total £ 166 |
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| 166 |
CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
| 4. Fixed Assets Brought forward Additions during the year Depreciation charge Carried forward 5. Music Library Net book value b/fwd Additions during the year Amortization Net book value c/fwd |
2023 Cost Depreciation Net Book Value £ £ £ 11,466 (757) 10,709 246 246 (434) (434) |
2023 Cost Depreciation Net Book Value £ £ £ 11,466 (757) 10,709 246 246 (434) (434) |
2022 £ 117 11,031 (439) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11,712 (1,191) |
10,521 2023 £ 1,386 1,012 (480) 1,918 |
10,709 | |
| 2022 £ 1,586 146 (346) |
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| 1,386 |
6. Designated funds
The CBC Bursary Fund is a designated fund established to provide funds to advance the musical education of young singers, who are required to join the choir during the period for which they are in receipt of bursary funding.
The CBC Tour Fund is a designated fund established to meet the incidental costs associated with overseas and domestic concert tours which the choir may undertake periodically.
7. Trustee's remuneration and expenses
No trustees were in receipt of remuneration during the year. Expenses were reimbursed in respect of travelling and subsistence incurred in attending meetings on choir business
8. Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions during the year.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner'5 Report Report to thè trnsteesl members of City of Bristol Choir On accounts for tho year ended 31 August 2023 Charfty no (If any) 1015961 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {llhe Trust") for the year ended 31 August 2023. Responslbllltles and As the charity tnJst8es. you ar8 r8sponsible for the preparation of th8 basls of report accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 {"the Acf.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out und8r section 145 of the 2011 A¢1 and In carrying out my examlnatlon, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commlsslon under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have 1Mpleted my examination. I confimi that no material matters have examlner's statement come to my attenlion in connectlon with the examination which gives me cause to bèlieve that in, any malerlal Spect,. the a¢¢ounting rècords We not kept in accordan¢a with se¢llon 130 of the Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accountlng r8cords; or the accounts did not eomply with the applicable requirements concemlng the form and content of accounts set out in the Charilles (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirem8nt that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independenl examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connecllon with the examination to which attention should be drawn in Ihis report in order lo enable a proper understsnding of Ihe accounts to be reached. Slgnod: Date: 18 June 2024 Name: Richard Francis Bacon Relevant professional quallflcatlon(s) or body (If any): FCA Address: 8 Easffield BRISTOL BS9 4BQ IER October 2018