2025-08-31-accounts

London Oriana Choir Limited (a company limited by guarantee)

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 August 2025

Company Number 2848714 Charity Number 1038120

London Oriana Choir Limited (a company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

Statement of Financial Activities.............................................................................................. 3 Balance Sheet as at 31/08/25..................................................................................................4 Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025................. 5 1. Accounting Policies........................................................................................................ 5 2. Sundry Debtors.............................................................................................................. 5 3. Sundry Creditors............................................................................................................ 5 Independent Examiners Report to the Directors of London Oriana Choir Ltd..........................6 Directors and Trustees Report..............................................................................................7 Introduction.........................................................................................................................8 Legal and administrative information..................................................................................8 Objectives...........................................................................................................................9 Review of the year’s activities............................................................................................ 9 Financial review................................................................................................................13 Future plans..................................................................................................................... 14

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London Oriana Choir Limited (a company limited by guarantee)

Statement of Financial Activities

	2025		2024
	£		£
Incoming Resources
Incoming Resources Voluntary Income
Voluntary Income Subscriptions	26,155		24,417
Donations	155		12,417
Covenant Income	5,972		8,156
Activities Generating Funds
Activities Generating Funds Concert Income	31,892		39,830
Performance Fees	900		4,487
Sales of Music and CDs	10,565		10,265
Tour Income	30,573		20,189
Total Incoming Resources	106,172		119,761
Resources Expended
Resources Expended Costs of generating voluntary income
Concert expenditure	36,397		53,745
Cost of music and CDs	9,902		10,325
Tour costs	29,810		20,322
Charitable activities
Rehearsal fees and hall hire	24,376		24,410
Audition and Scholars	646		1,546
Professional subscriptions	411		392
Professional subscriptions Five15Project	-		-
Governance costs
Administration	3,137		4,350
Total resources expended	104,678		115,090
Movement in total funds for the year	1,494		4,671
Reconciliation of funds
Funds brought forward	29,710		25,039
Funds brought forward Funds carriedforward	**31,204 **		29,710

The notes on pages 5 form part of these financial statements

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London Oriana Choir Limited (a company limited by guarantee)

Balance Sheet as at 31/08/25

Balance Sheet as at 31/08/25
	31/08/2025		31/08/2024
	£		£
Current Assets
Cash at bank	33,035	33,035	32,928
Sundry debtors	3,697		3,936
Total Assets	36,732		36,864
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Sundry creditors	5,528		7,154
Total Creditors	5,527		7,154
Net Current Assets	31,204		29,710
Unrestricted Reserves	31,204		29,710

The directors consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 (‘The Act’) and members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of its financial year, and of its income and expenditure for the year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 of the Act and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements so far as applicable to the company.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).

These financial statements were approved by the board on 18th March 2026 and signed on its behalf by

Chris Birkle

The notes on page 5 form part of these financial statements.

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London Oriana Choir Limited (a company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation of the financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective 2008). The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ published in March 2005, applicable accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006

Company Status

The company is a company limited by guarantee. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the company.

Revenue and Expenditure Recognition

Revenue and expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year it becomes receivable or payable.

Fund Accounting

Funds are unrestricted and comprise accumulated surpluses and deficits on general funds. They are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of the general charitable objectives.

2. Sundry Debtors

	2025			2024
	£			£
Covenanted income accrued	0			125
Other debtors and prepayments	3,697			3,811
Total debtors	3,697			3,936
3. Sundry Creditors
	2025			2024
	£			£
Members guarantees	239			239
Other creditors and accruals	5,289			6,915
Total creditors	5,528			7,154

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Independent Examiners Report to the Directors of London Oriana Choir Ltd Year ended 31 August 2025

I report on the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025, which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position and the related notes.

Respective responsibilities of directors and examiners

The directors (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The directors consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

• follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioner under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

• state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanation from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view. And the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

• (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in an material respects the requirements: ● to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, company with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met, or

• (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Jenny Howard FCCA

4, The Maltings, Orpington, Kent, BR6 0DH

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London Oriana Choir Ltd

Directors and Trustees Report Year ending 31 August 2025

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LONDON ORIANA CHOIR LIMITED

DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2025

Introduction

This report covers the financial year 1 September 2024 - 31 August 2025. London Oriana Choir Ltd was established in 1993 to conduct the affairs of the London Oriana Choir. The company is limited by guarantee and is a registered charity.

The London Oriana Choir was founded in November 1973 by Leon Lovett. In July 2013 the Choir appointed its third Musical Director, Dominic Ellis-Peckham, following seventeen successful years under the leadership of David Drummond.

The Choir is recognised as one of Britain's leading mixed amateur choirs, known for its high standards, diverse repertoire, and the vibrant energy of its performances. The Choir promotes concerts at major central London venues such as St James’s Piccadilly, makes regular tours in the UK and abroad, and is often invited to perform at other promoters' events.

Legal and administrative information

London Oriana Choir Limited Registered in England & Wales No. 2848714 Registered Charity No. 1038120

Registered Office: 52 Kingswood Road, London SW19 3NE

Main address:

Postal: Colin Poole, Company Secretary, 52 Kingswood Road, London SW19 3NE Email: [e-mail]

Bankers: CAF Bank

Independent Examiner: Jenny Howard FCCA 4 The Maltings, Orpington, Kent, BR6 0DH

Website: www.londonoriana.com

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All members of the Board of Directors are Trustees for the purposes of charity law. Those serving on the Board during 2024/2025 were:

• Colin Poole (Company Secretary and Rehearsals)

• Lizann Peppard (Marketing, Press and Concert Venues)

• Lucy Nixon (Concerts Manager)

• Chris Birkle (Treasurer)

• Rebecca Kent (Auditions and Membership Secretary)

The Directors and Trustees at the date of approval of this report were Colin Poole, Lizann Peppard, Lucy Nixon, Chris Birkle and Rebecca Kent.

The Choir engages the services of a Musical Director (Dominic Ellis-Peckham), Associate Conductor (Nicholas Chalmers) and an accompanist (David Smith) for its regular rehearsals.

The Choir’s Patron is composer Cecilia McDowall.

Objectives

The objects of the company, as set out in the Articles of Association, are to promote, maintain, improve and advance education of the public in the fields of choral music, church music, opera and other classical works and musical and vocal compositions of all kinds.

Review of the year’s activities

In planning the Choir’s activities the Directors and Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The Choir seeks to benefit members of the public through advancing musical education. It delivers such benefits through:

• the opportunity for membership of the choir, with selection based solely on musical ability, discounted subscriptions available for jobseekers and students and, when budgets permit, a scholarship programme offering a small number of free memberships to young singers;

• promotion of, and participation in, concerts open to the public in accessible venues in London and elsewhere – offering a range of ticket prices including concessions;

• collaborations and workshops with other vocal groups including youth choirs;

• CDs and on-line distribution of the Choir’s audio and video recordings of a wide range of music including its five 15 and Christmas concerts; and

• the availability of professional individual singing tuition during rehearsal time.

In its 51st season, under Dominic Ellis-Peckham’s direction, the Choir rehearsed most weeks from September to early July and promoted nine of its own concerts. Choir membership

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increased slightly to 128 members. The Choir paused its scholarship programme for singers aged 18-25 for this season in order to review how to make the programme more effective at attracting and retaining the best young singers.

Choir members were able to have individual singing tuition with a new professional teacher, Tabitha Reynolds.

The highlights of the season included:

• a rare performance of Cecilia McDowall’s ‘Night Flight’ with award-winning cellist Gabriella Swallow at our season-opening ‘Take Flight’ concert with music devoted to the skies,

• two sold-out Candlelight Carols concerts at the choir’s festive home of St James’s Piccadilly,

• a Come&Sing in January learning and performing Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas at St John’s Waterloo with the Rosewood Quartet,

• a performance of Bach’s seminal Mass in B Minor at a venue new to the choir, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre London, with leading soloists,

• A first concert devoted to folk music in July, at Cecil Sharp House, London’s top folk music venue, and

• Release in June by the indie rock back Esoterica of their single Into the Ether which we recorded backing tracks for with them back in 2023.

We were also delighted to be invited to perform again at Waterstones’ flagship Piccadilly store’s Christmas Event.

The Choir has for many years held retiring collections at its concerts for charities nominated by its members. This season the Choir chose to collect for SingUp Foundation at all its London concerts, raising £2,671 in total.

Full details of the 2024/25 Season are as follows:

18 October St Paul’s Covent Garden, London

TAKE FLIGHT

Cellist: Gabriella Swallow

Concert featuring Cecilia McDowall’s ‘Night Flight’ and music by Joseph Twist, Melissa Dunphy, Ben Parry, Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott and others.

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2 November University Church, Oxford TAKE FLIGHT Cellist: Gabriel Amherst

Concert featuring Cecilia McDowall’s ‘Night Flight’ and music by Joseph Twist, Melissa Dunphy, Ben Parry, Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott and others. 3 November Natural History Museum, Oxford Pop-up performance.

5 December Waterstones, Piccadilly, London

Carol singing at Waterstones’ Christmas Event.

By invitation of Waterstones Piccadilly

20 December St James’ Church, Piccadilly, London 21 December (+ livestream)

CANDLELIGHT CAROLS

A Christmas carol concert featuring music by Imogen Holst, Errollyn Wallen, Cecilia McDowall, Ann Burgess, Eric Whitacre, Ian Humphris and others.

Organist - Ben Comeau

18 January 2025 St John’s Church, Waterloo, London

COME AND SING PURCELL’S DIDO AND AENEAS

With Fran Hills (piano) and the Rosewood Quartet

• 22 March Holy Sepulchre Church, London

BACH MASS IN B MINOR

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Siân Dicker - Soprano Mimi Doulton - Soprano Martha McLorinan - Alto Samuel Kibble - Tenor Michael Ronan - Bass

Meridian Sinfonia

10 May Our Most Holy Redeemer, Exmouth Market, London

BRAHMS AND BRUCKNER MOTETS

A selection of motets including Brahms’ Drei Gesänge and Fest- under Gedänksprűche, and Bruckner’s Virga Jesse and Os Justi.

24 May Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, Padova, Italy 25 May Chiesa di San Salvador, Venezia, Italy

BRAHMS AND BRUCKNER MOTETS

Concerts drawing on the repertoire of the choir’s 10 May concert

4 July Cecil Sharp House, London

FOUR CORNERS

Will Lang Niopha Keegan Maz O’Connor

Olivia Jageurs - harp

A concert of folk music from all four countries of the British Isles with special guests from the world of folk, including works by Michael McGlynn, Ken Johnston, Ben Parry, Cecilia McDowall, Niopha Keegan and Anna Disley-Simpson.

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9 July Voces 8 Centre, London

Recording session of Christmas carols, directed by Nicholas Chalmers.

Financial review

Independently examined accounts for the year are attached. These comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the requirements of the Charities Commission SORP. In summary, in the year ended 31.8.25 the company made a surplus of £1,494 (2023/24 surplus of £4,671), and had a balance at the end of the year of £31,204. This overall result comprises a deficit of £4,505 (2023/24 deficit of £13,915) on Choir-promoted concert activities and a surplus of £5,999 (2023/24 surplus of £18,586 (included substantial donations to our 50th anniversary projects)) on other activities.

The Directors and Trustees’ policy on reserves is to maintain a level of funds sufficient to finance future planned activities with a prudent allowance for unexpected expenses and income shortfalls. The Choir’s activities are normally planned for one academic year in advance.

The Directors and Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular income shortfalls from promoted concerts, and systems have been established to manage those risks.

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Future plans

The Choir’s exciting plans for its 52nd season in 2025/26 include an invitation by the Fidelio Orchestra to perform Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with them at Milton Court in December, a performance in March 2026 of Joby Talbot’s celebrated piece ‘Path of Miracles’ with soloists from the original commissioning group Tenebrae, and a concert in May to celebrate our patron Cecilia McDowall’s 75th birthday - joining forces with other choirs with which she is associated.

In addition the Choir will promote four other concerts in London including two Christmas concerts at St James’ Church Piccadilly, and tour to Brighton and Vienna. The choir’s final concert of the season will include the world premiere of a work commissioned by the Board from choir member Tara Mack.

Approved by the Trustees and Board on 18th March 2026 and signed on their behalf

Chris Birkle Director

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