2023-06-30-accounts

Eastbourne Choral Society Patrons: Sir Simon Rattle. Howard Goodall

CBE

25 Macmillan Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex. BN21 1SU

www.eastbournechoralsociety.org.uk Tel: [phone]

Chair’s Report Sept 2022 – Sept 2023

Its that time of year again for me to reflect on the previous ECS season. We were pleased to welcome some new members to the choir and sorry to lose a few who had decided that it ws time to “hang up their singing hats“ or leave for pastures new. Whatever their reason for not being with us anymore, I wish them well.

Last autumn we gave a concert for Advent. We were delighted to welcome some students from the University of Chichester Conservatoire who joined us in singing extracts from Bach Christmas Oratorio, Handel Messiah and the dramatic Britten St Nicolas, the latter being greatly enahnced by our wonderful tenor soloist, Paul Austin Kelly. After this concert it was the usual round of our very enjoyable and worthwhile carol events: – The lunch time carol service in at Souls‘ Church, Carol singing in the Beacon Centre in aid of the local branch of the Samaritans, leading the singing at the Angels of Eastbourne Service, entertaining at Palm Court care home Christmas party, singing round the tree at The Hawthorns Retirement Village, and, a new venue for us, singing at The Star Inn in Alfriston on Christmas Eve for the Polizzi family and their guests. The latter was a wondeful occasion, we were well looked after and very much appreciated by everyone there. As well as giving pleasure to many people, our carol singing raises much needed funds for charity and for the choir.

After the Chritmas break we began rehearsing for our March Mozart concert (with a little Haydn for good measure) for which we sang the ever popular Mozart Requiem, Haydn Insanae et Vanae Curae and Mozart Ladaudate Dominum. The concert included a wonderful performance of the much loved Mozart Clarinet Concerto by Alison Hughes. A wonderful evening of music! During this term we also enjoyed a social evening - of fish and chips followed by an interesting and entertaining talk about Mozart given by Dr Suzie Wilkins.

The summer term had rather a different repertoire – Mozart and Laridsen Nocturns and Brahms Waltzes being the main pieces. After some initial trepidation, I think we all enjoyed singing these at the summer concert. Audience numbers were dissappointing for this event though. It is the

Charity Registration No. 1063701

Eastbourne Choral Society Patrons: Sir Simon Rattle. Howard Goodall

CBE

usual problem we, particularly John, have with choosing repertoire – what will be popular with an audience and what will keep the choir interested!

We finished the season with a very enjoyable social evening to mark ECS‘s thirtieth anniversary. Much delicious food was shared, with a fair amount of wine and lively conversation. As of this September ECS has enjoyed singing for thirty years. It was in September 1993 that Elizabeth Muir Lewis formed our choir, rehearsing, amongst other things, Vivaldi Gloria, which they performed later that autumn for their inaugural concert. We also celebtrated the fact that John has been our MD for twenty years! Over the thirty years, thanks to the leadership of these two inspiring people ECS has grown from strength to strength. Supported by some excellent accompanists, none more so than Nick, we are indeed very fortunate to work with such patient and inspirational, professional musicians.

A choir the size of ECS with a great reputation in the town to uphold, requires a good deal of organisation. I am so grateful to Claire, our secretary, for all the work she udertakes for choir, to Paul our treasurer for quietly managing all the finances so expertly, and to committee members Tina and Pauline for their help over this last year. Huge thanks to Alison, who, as our press officer writes so expertly to advertise our concerts, helps at the welcome desk and has now taken over the running of rehearsal break refreshments. Grateful thanks to Eleanor, our librarian, who, as well as giving out the scores and keeping track of them, spends a good deal of time accessing the music for us. Many thanks also to Tracy and Hugh Anderson for the help they give to Eleanor, and to Hugh Graham and Clare Chetwood who have taken on putting up our advertising boards.

Here’s to another happy and successful year for ECS! Thank you for your singing, your friendship and your loyalty to our choir.

Liz Barker Chair Eastbourne Choral Society

Charity Registration No. 1063701

Eastbourne Choral Society

Accounts year 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023

		Receipts and Payments	2022-2023
	Payments	2022	2023	Receipts	2022	2023
		£	£		£	£
Rehearsal expenses	Music Director	4770	4620	Members' subscriptions	9205	12650
	Accompanists	2520	2310	Gift Aid	418	1642
	Rent of Hall	1775	1945	Bank interest	38	52
	PianoTuning		150	Tea monies	523	717
Administration	Stationery (incl postage)		29	Refreshments	128	482
	Website	151	158	Ticket sales	4229	6393
	Insurance	252	304	Donations	1070	1374
	Other	15	15	Music hire (members)	711	1561
Concert expenses	Artistes & Orchestra	9599	11155	Workshop fees	200	0
	Commission on ticket sales	68	111	Socials	0	0
	Flowers/gifts	106	107	Fundraising	0	752
	Venue hire	740	1140	Other income	0	0
	Press adverts	0	0
	Staging	960	1340
	Printing - posters/flyers/tickets	914	1594
	Concert refreshments	141	207
	Music hire	880	1563
Other	Socials, etc	0	0
	Miscellaneous	25	500
	Refreshments	51	0
	Total Expenses	22967	27248	Total Income	16522	25625
Asset Purchases	Choir folders	187		Folder sales	90	91
	Bow ties, scarves
	Other		165
	Total Payments	23154	27413	Total Receipts	16612	25716
	Surplus			Shortfall	6542	1697

Accounts 2022-2023 Assets at Year End 2022 2023 Cash Funds £ £ P A Collis Barclays Bank 2,922 4,172 04/09/2023 Virgin Money deposit 26,949 24,001 Total 29,871 28,174

J)AN'II) I)AITl., BIlPKIif4 P 18 Ravens Croft Eastbourne BN20 7HX Phone [phone] barkerf)[e-mail] 16th September, 2023 Paul Collis (Hon Treasurer) Eastbourne Choral Society 3 Benenden Close Seaford BN25 3PG Eastbourne Choral Society Review of Accounts 2022-2023 In accordance with instructions I have reviewed the accounts of the Eastbourne Choral Society for the period 2022/2023. These unaudited accounts have been reviewed from the inforn]ation and records given to me together with explanations and clarifications provided. I am comfortable that they reflect the financial positions of the charity and can be su itted to those bodies and institutions as may be required. David P Barker