10 July 2023 AGM Chairman’s Report
Here we are at the end of another concert season – our first with Simon as MD. You have already heard his thoughts about our concerts and I echo them here. He has thanked us and I would like to thank him for his commitment and enthusiasm at our rehearsals. I have had many positive comments about them. He has brought a different energy and humour to us but behind that is a quiet persistence until he gets what he wants. I only wish that he were here tonight to accept our appreciative applause.
Talking of humour brings me naturally to Chris Dowie – what would we do without him? The support he gives to Simon is invaluable and when we are struggling with entries he can pick up on this and try to help us out with the odd note or two. He is here tonight and so please show your appreciation.
I must also give a belated thanks to our two lovely ladies who organised and brought tea and coffee items for many years every Monday evening. They asked to stand down when we returned after the covid lockdown - income from this provided a steady revenue to our funds. Alison White and Jan Gardner – thank you very much indeed.
Someone else who has had to withdraw from the choir is Jo Britton. She had the role of Orchestra Convenor assisting the MD with the orchestral music by ordering it, distributing it and collecting it in at the end of the concert. We miss her but ask Brenda to give her this orchid as a token of our thanks.
Sadly, our Friends Secretary is also stepping down at this AGM. Although this is her current role she has in fact done many jobs for us. She was Concert Steward for some time and she also controlled the sale of tickets for all our concerts before the Priory took this over. I am sure you remember turning up to choir on the Monday evening the tickets were due to go on sale only to find a long queue stretching down the corridor. This was a huge task and she took it all in her stride. She will be cross with me for making a fuss of her but she deserves it. Hilary Scott – a small token of our thanks.
Our thanks are also due to our super sponsors. Stephen Feltham of Chorali Fiscus who gives us an annual grant and Geoffrey Owen and John Craddock who sponsor us for each concert. We also had a sponsor for the Lux Aeterna in April – thank you Mike.
There are so many people that are due thanks – please forgive me if I don’t name you all. Chris Main puts our programme together and I am so grateful to him for his time and expertise.
Your Committee – Liz, Hazel, Jan, Hilary, Jane, Linda, Val, Mike, Anne and Iris have worked tirelessly this season – you are very lucky to have such a dedicated team. If you can offer any assistance to us it would be gratefully received. Thank you to all of you who already do so – Isabel who is in charge of our facebook page and Marion who is helping with publicity.
Next season 23-24 will see us performing Mozart Requiem and Puccini Messa di Gloria in January; and Haydn’s Creation in April. We are working on ideas for the summer and will keep you informed. Simon tells me he already has soloists lined up for January and April.
I would ask you all to please do some learning and practising at home between rehearsals. It helps so much if people know their parts more quickly. It also helps to listen to a recording as much as possible – especially one as tricky as the Poulenc Gloria.
Lastly thanks to you all for your commitment and enthusiasm for this choir. Thank you for turning up each Monday. Thank you to our new members for joining us.
We will meet again at our first rehearsal of the new Season on 18[th] September 2023.
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED D 31 MAY 2023
| Expenditure | 2022-23 2021-22 14,806 15,905 5,017 4,431 4,010 3,500 3,110 700 26,943 24,536 725 725 340 834 703 100 605 256 60 763 250 220 71 38 1,920 1980 29,588 26,856 29,588 26,856 3,732 15,019 18,751 18,751 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Charitable expenses | ||
| Concert expenses MD fees Accompanist fees Rehearsal hall Charitable trading |
||
| Purchase music/fldrs Other expenses |
||
| 19,951 -1,200 18,751 |
Balances 31/05/23 | |
| Lloyds Current a/c Lloyds Hi-Interest |
Accounts prepared on an Income and Expenditure basis in accordance with Charity Commission SORP (Revised 2005) Appendix 5.1.2.
Elisabeth Senior, Treasurer
Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report .2eport to the trusteesl memi)ers of Grange Choral Society Charity no Irf anyl 31st May 2023 1045490 Set out on pages 1 (one) ResDective The chaiifv's trustees are resDonsible for the oreL)aration of tne accoLin7*.- responsibilities of The charitsl's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an indeoendent examination is needed. It is my responsibiltty to- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Chartty Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Chartties Act. and to stale whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examinefs statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the chattty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conMIng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be reauired in an audit: and ¢onsequentty no opinion is gtven as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection viith my examination, no matter has come to my attention examinerfs statsment 1. whith gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any matertal respect, the requirements" to keep accounting records in accordance wtth section 130 of the Chartbes Act" and to prepare accounts vthich accord with the accounting records and comply wtth the accounting requirements of the Char¥ties Act 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. Signed: Date: IL Name: David Cannings Relevant professional | ACIB qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: | 6 Preston Way. HMJhdiffe, BH23 4QT IER March 2012