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← Oxford Harmonic Choir

2025-07-31-accounts

w}| CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 August 2024 To 31 July 2025

Charity name: Oxford Harmonic Choir

Charity registration number: 1023028

Objectives and Activities

Objectives and Activities Objectives and Activities Objectives and Activities
CEs
Summary ofthe purposes of Para 1.17
the charity as setout in its promote, improve, develop and maintain
governing document public education in, and appreciation of, the
art and science of choral music in all its
aspects by the presentation of public
concerts and bysuch otherways as the
Choir through its Committee shall
determine from time to time.
Summary ofthe main
activities in relation tothose		 em1.17and
©
purposes forthe public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.
Statement confirming Para 1.18 The trustees have had regard to the
whetherthe trustees have guidance issued bythe Charity
had regard to the guidance Commission on public benefit.
issued bythe Charity
Commission on public
benefit

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: ee ee Para 1.38 aust —s .2 Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 volunteers

oo a Achievements and Performance SEM os[eR] Three public concerts were held during the financial year. These gave the opportunity for the public to listen to and enjoy firstSummary of the main le class music making. The concerts achievements of the charity, performed included Mendelssohn's St Paul, identifying the difference the Rossini’s Stabat Mater and Coleridgecharity’s work has made to Taylor's Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast. the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.

Achievements and Performance

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against Para 1.41
objectives set
Performance offundraising
activities against objectives		 Para 1.41
set
Investment performance Para 1.41
againstobjectives

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Financial Review
Review of the charity's Para 1.21 During the 2024-25 season the OHC had a deficit of
| iti £6,647. Expenditure was £52,770 against a total
pram — ate enc income of £46,644. Donations of £1,335 are included
© pe in the income figure. The stated value of the
endowment fund share account decreased £5271 to
£32,163.
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 The reserves policy was reviewed by the Committee
policy for holding reserves to ensure no new risks had come to light. No new
statina why thev are held issues were raised and the reserves policy therefore
g wny mney continued unchanged, viz.
To ensure that, in the event of unprecedented falls in
revenue or increases in costs, the charity can both maintain
current commitments and plan for the short- and medium-
term future, the Trustees aim to maintain an emergency
reserve of no less than £20,000. This includes the capital in
the charity’s endowment fund which was set up explicitly for
emergency use.
If reserve holdings (excluding any designated funds) at the
end of every financial year exceed this sum, the surplus is
deemed to be a discretionary reserve for investment in
specific projects which cannot be funded within expected
annual income. A maximum of £10,000 will be retained in
discretionary reserves.
At the end of 2024-25 we are broadly in line with this
policy, having total reserves across the endowment
and general funds (taking a conservative view and
excluding debtors) of £61,521. This means we have
an emergency reserve of £30,000 and a balance of
£31,521. However, as this includes shares, the
market value of which can fluctuate especially in
these uncertain times, the total value of the balance
must be treated with caution. In view of the
uncertainty we face, particularly relating to rapidly
increasing cost pressures such as concert hall hire
and concert charges, it would be imprudent to
expend significant reserves. The “maximum” of
£10,000 in discretionary reserves is being exceed at
present and we consider it prudent to do so.
Amount of reserves held £61,521
Reasons for holding zero Not applicable
reserves
Details of fund materially in | Para 1.24 Not applicable
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 Not applicable
uncertainties about the
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 | Pa" 1-47
any fundraising)
objectives including an Para 1.46
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social investment policy adopted

Structure, Governance and Management

trusts:
Type ofgoverning document Para 1.25
(trust deed, royal charter) amended on 31 December 2020.
How is the charity Para 1.25 Unincorporated association
constituted?
Trustee selection methods Para 1.25
including details ofany the Choir attheAnnual General Meeting.
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post orname of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one ormore
trustees

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction Pare 1.51
and training of trustees
The charity's organisational
structure and any wider Para 1.51
network with which the
charity works
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Relationship with any related | Para 1.51
parties
—
Reference and Administrative details
Oxford Harmonic Choir
ESSE MTS AIS See a Rete al a
Registered charity number 1023028
Charity’s principal address 22 Swinbourne Road
Littlemore
OXFORD
OX4 4PQ
GE ea gta RES ASE ae RNS aimee ern
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

go ee eee Sees Se S00 he RSE 2 ES a eee l,l et SS TC Se i RRR Sh RS SRR J ‘<@25 Sis: law ia aes J B22) ee {eee J. SS aa OO ee | SEN RS. <a: «ee {Seo SR «Se ~ ee | RS SS RS Ee ee Ce SR ee | ee SR | SRR ER | STE ao, i . oe Li GES OO eR. - < ee 7 ROE OR ee 2 fjOR.a Sa ee gi ME AR). ee Se ae eS Corporate trustees — names of the directors at the date the report was approved RABRACEAe EeCE aSs SEO e naae MEE A RS Ee SSS PS Sa SR SSR RR Se es aS ERSBite: SeCEEOA ELASSeSeBEER ES: i EEeeea Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity TeSPNCERISEA RGR 1S SR BEORES, SAAS Be teeResee SORRE SoSRRee S PS EAE eS PSS Ee Se a S:SE lee aR, DROS SSS SRA Ss SER SE Sa a:

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets

held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

[Elizabeth][Townsend] Full name(s) |[Amanda]

Pan arene Seen

Chair, etc)

Date 24 Marck 202G

OXFORD HARMONIC CHOIR

Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025

Registered Charity No. 1023028

1

OXFORD HARMONIC CHOIR

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

INCOME
General:
Members' subscriptions (note 2)
Income tax recovered under Gift Aid
Donations
Fund raising events
Surplus on sale/hire of scores
Bank deposit interest
Dividends
Concerts (note 3):
Ticket sales
Programme sales
Programme advertisement sales
Sponsorship
Grant from the Josephine Baker Trust
TOTAL INCOME
-
SUMMARY
FUNDS brought forward at 31 July 2024
(Note 8)
Less
:
Income for the year, as above
Expenditure for the year
Funds transfer
Gain/loss on revaluation of quoted investments
EXCESS OF INCOME OVER
EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR
FUNDS carried forward at 31 July 2025
(page 4)		 Year ended
31/7/2024
General
Restricted Endowment
Fund
Fund
Fund
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
£
21,832
-
-
21,832
23,369
4,183
-
-
4,183
4,528
1,335
-
-
1,335
5,137
67
-
814
881
1,309
(163)
-
-
(163)
31
1,069
-
-
1,069
545
901
-
-
901
879
Year ended
31 July 2025
29,224
814
30,038
35,798
-
-
15,656
-
-
15,656
15,252
741
-
-
741
837
210
-
-
210
210
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
16,606
16,606
17,299
45,830
814
46,644
53,097
Year ended
General
Restricted
Endowment
Total
31 July 2024
32,157
36,011
68,168
64,723
Funds
-
64,723
45,830
-
814
46,644
53,097
(52,770)
-
-
(52,770)
(51,974)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(521)
(521)
2,323
(6,940)
-
293
(6,647)
3,445
25,217
-
36,304
£61,521
£68,168

2

OXFORD HARMONIC CHOIR

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

EXPENDITURE
Concert expenditure (note 3):
conductor's and soloists fees
orchestra fees
Performing Rights Society fees
hire of hall and staging, etc.
Venue bar costs
hire of organ or keyboard
concert lighting
orchestral scores
printing and advertising
agent's commission on ticket sales
sundries
Other expenditure:
Rehearsal expenses
conductor's fees
accompanist's fees
choral training
hire of rehearsal hall
Administration expenses:
Making Music insurance
Advertising & other expenses
Independent examiner's fee
Sundries
TOTAL EXPENDITURE		 Year ended
31/7/2024
General
Restricted
Fund
Fund
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
7,169
-
7,169
8,036
18,468
-
18,468
16,604
303
-
303
-
7,712
-
7,712
7,000
-
-
540
1,020
-
1,020
602
-
-
2,291
1,676
-
1,676
824
2,551
-
2,551
2,708
1,098
-
1,098
993
149
-
149
177
Year ended
31 July 2025
40,146
-
40,146
39,775
4,557
-
4,557
4,495
2,720
-
2,720
2,479
30
-
30
280
4,345
-
4,345
3,922
11,652
-
11,652
11,175
-
-
622
-
622
654
41
-
41
113
-
-
-
-
309
-
309
259
972
-
972
1,025
-
52,770
-
52,770
51,974

3

OXFORD HARMONIC CHOIR

BALANCE SHEET as at 31 July 2025

Quoted Investments, at market value:
COIF Charities Investment Fund shares
Endowment Fund
Debtors and prepayments (note 6)
Balances at:
Barclays Bank Community account:
General Fund
COIF Charities Deposit Fund accounts:
General Fund
Endowment Fund
United Trust Bank Ltd
Cash in hand
Deduct:
Creditors and Liabilities (note 7)
Accounts payable
NET ASSETS
Representing:
FUNDS (page 2)
Unrestricted:
General
Endowment (note 4)		 31 July 2025
£
32,163
8,830
5,277
1,148
3,326
12,248
62,993
-
(1,471)
-
£61,521
25,217
25,217
36,304
£61,521		 31/7/2024
£
32,684
7,659
7,590
7,789
1,238
11,643
68,602
7
(441)
-
£68,168
33,147
33,147
35,021
£68,168

Approved by the Oxford Harmonic Choir at its Annual General Meeting on and signed on its behalf by

Chair

Secretary

4

OXFORD HARMONIC CHOIR

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and on an ongoing concern basis, with items recognised at cost or transaction value other than quoted investments which are shown at market value. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

1) Accounting Convention

The financial statements are prepared on the accruals basis.

2) Fund Accounting

The charity has set up an endowment fund to accept donations and legacies for longer-term investment. The income of the fund can be used for general purposes but the capital can only be drawn down by specific decision of the Committee.

Otherwise the charity maintains a single fund which represents unrestricted income and capital which is expendable at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity.

2 MEMBERS' SUBSCRIPTIONS

Although still lower than pre-pandemic, Member numbers have recovered to some extent.

3 LOSSES ON CONCERTS

The choir undertook a full season of three concerts in the financial period. Income during the period was slightly higher than that of the prior year, ignoring the award from the Elgar Society in the previous year. Audience numbers were still disappointing, however,due to a general reduction in concert-going post-pandemic. Total losses on the concerts were £1064 higher than the prior year.

Mendelssohn Rossini Coleridge-T
St Paul _Stabat Mater _ Hiawatha's WF
etc. etc.
£ £ £ Total
Receipts: sales of tickets 4,740 5,638 5,278 15,656
sales of programmes 236 249 256 741
programme advertisements 70 70 70 210
sponsorship - - - -
5,046 5,957 5,603 16,606
Expenses: conductor's and soloists fees 2,668 3,043 1,458 7,169
orchestra fees 6,234 5,954 6,280 18,468
hire of hall and staging costs 2,768 2,472 2,472 7,712
venue bar costs - - - -
hire of keyboard 620 400 - 1,020
hire of lighting - - - -
Peforming Rights Society fees - - 303 303
orchestral scores 478 455 744 1,676
printing and advertising 1,091 845 615 2,551
agent's commission on ticket sales 363 364 370 1,098
sundries 47 51 51 149
14,269 13,583 12,293 40,146
Total losses on the concerts 9,223 7,627 6,690 23,540

5

4 ENDOWMENT FUND

To compensate for the loss of grants from Oxford City Council and Arts Council England, the trustees decided in 2006 to set up an Endowment Fund to attract donations and legacies for longer-term investment. The income of the fund is paid into the General Fund to support the Society's activities, but the capital can only be used in emergency by resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the Committee, notice of such resolution being given at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

5 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S FEE

The current Examiner has generously not charged a fee for his work.

6 DEBTORS

These comprise:
£
Deposits paid for concert hall hire in future years 8,402
Dividend due for current year but paid after year end 225
Orchestral scores for Bruch, paid in advance 203
Total 8,830

7 CREDITORS

These comprise monies received in advance from members for copies of the music for the November 2025 concert (£1168) and a PRS payment due for the June 2025 concert (£303.48)

8 PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT

The value of the Endowment Fund as at 31 July 2024 was understated by £990, with the value of the General Fund being overstated by that same amount, due to raffle income having been allocated incorrectly to the General Fund. The opening balances of the two funds have been re-stated accordingly.

| a _ CHARITY COMMISSION | FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

independent examiner's report on the accounts

Report to the trustees/ OXFORD HARMONIC CHOIR members of

On accounts for the year | 314% July 2025 ended

Responsibilities and basis of report

| report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}(b) of the Act.

{ have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination te which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

sinet:[ REZ«d)SCARS tate [we] [pees Name: | Blair J G Eldridge Relevant professional | Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA) qualification(s) or body (if any):

Address: | 23 Hids Copse Road

Oxfordshire OX2 9JJ

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