Report of the trustees for the year ending 31[st] December 2024
The trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial statement and independent examiner’s views.
Chairman’s Report for 2024
Introduction
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to tonight’s AGM. It is terrific to see such a strong turnout, particularly from those attending their first Fron AGM. I cannot recall the last time we had so many at an AGM—your attendance reflects the passion and dedication that make the Fron Male Voice Choir so unique. Thank you all for being here.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to everyone who has stepped forward to take on roles this year. This willingness to contribute demonstrates that the Fron is not just a choir— it’s your choir. Together, we work to ensure its continued success.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for their unwavering support throughout the year. As chairman, I’m deeply grateful for their hard work behind the scenes, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Their efforts have been crucial in navigating the challenges we’ve faced and in supporting the many successes we’ve achieved together.
Acknowledgements
No matter how hard we worked, we couldn’t have achieved this year’s successes without our exceptional music team. They’ve been relentlessly committed, even maintaining summer rehearsals to support new choristers during their probationary period. The only real break we took was between Christmas and New Year. A word of caution to our newer members: Leigh pushes us hard when preparing for competitions. Expect a few intensive Saturday rehearsals—three or four hours each. Leigh may confirm or deny that tonight, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!
I’d also like to acknowledge the unsung heroes of our rehearsals: the registrars. Since Jacko’s sad passing, Adrian Goodchild and Keith Groose have stepped up to register the second tenors and 1st Bass. Paul Foster has recently taken on the register for the top tenors, and I continue to do the register for the second basses. Producing
attendance reports has been challenging, especially during the staggered flow of new members last autumn, but the team has managed admirably. From January, we’ll resume regular monthly sectional attendance reports.
Stage Crew and Equipment
Another group deserving of recognition is the stage crew. In December 2023, we purchased a three-stepped stage tiering system, which Flint had barely used. By Christmas, we had already surpassed their usage, and it’s been invaluable throughout 2024. The stage crew’s commitment—arriving early, staying late, and managing the equipment—ensures our performances run smoothly. Thanks to Wyn, who stores the trailer, and to Wyn or Simon, who transport it to concerts. With the addition of a fourth row to accommodate our growing numbers, their efforts are even more vital.
Technology and Innovation
In 2024, we trialed the ChoirMate app, which has revolutionised our communication and learning processes. Thanks to Simon and the web team for transferring our practice tracks from the web page to the app, making them more accessible. While ChoirMate provides the platform, its success depends on the dedication of choristers to creating practice materials. It’s a fantastic example of teamwork enhancing our musical experience.
Achievements
It’s been an extraordinary 12 months. Our membership has grown, our following has expanded, and our presence on music platforms has soared. On Spotify, we now have over 50,000 monthly listeners. Our newsletter reaches 527 subscribers, with more joining each month. Social media engagement continues to grow, reflecting our increasing popularity.
We’ve also welcomed more visitors to our open rehearsals, including 11 groups of Canadian tourists and two American visitors, Art and Gloria, who attended nearly every rehearsal for three months. Their enthusiasm earned them vice president status, and they’ll be joining us in Malta. We’ve also had more visitors from our local waterway. With Joel's aid, Ralph has encouraged canal side walkers and those holidaying on narrow boats to come and experience our rehearsals.
Concert Highlights
In 2024, we performed 16 concerts, 10 of which were joint events with other choirs. Highlights include the JCB concert, which raised over £19,000, and our recent concert for the Movement Centre, raising £7,415. These successes underline the impact of our performances, both musically and in the support we generate for worthy causes.
One of my highlights was the Ironworks concert, where we raised over £3,000. The audience's energy was unforgettable, and the experience of walking through the crowd at the end and receiving handshakes and pats on the back was extraordinary. And then there was Ray’s press-ganging attempt at recruiting: “Oi, you look like a singer. How would you like to sing with us?” I’m delighted to say it worked - Mike Green is living proof, sitting here tonight!
This year also marked 38 years of performing at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastleunder-Lyme, a tradition that began under Peter Cheesman’s direction. We’re thrilled to continue this partnership with a booking for December 2025. To mark the 40th anniversary, we must plan something special in 2026.
Looking Ahead
As we look to 2025, there’s much to anticipate, from the National Eisteddfod to our tour of Malta. Given the incredible year we’ve just had, I’m excited to see what surprises lie ahead.
Closing
Thank you all for your contributions, dedication, and friendship. Together, we’ve made 2024 a year to remember, and I do not doubt that 2025 will be just as remarkable. Let’s continue building on this success and making the Fron Male Voice Choir a source of pride for us all.
David T Jones
Chair, Fron Male Voice Choir.
Financial Reports
These are attached along with the auditor’s report.
Members
The choir had a membership of 75 at the end of 2024
Music Team
The choir has a professional music team of three – Musical Director, Accompanist and Assistant MD/Accompanist who are each paid retainers and fees accordingly.
Premises
The choir does not own premises but rents rehearsal space at a local school where we hold open rehearsals every Monday and Thursday throughout the year with a short break at Christmas.
Aims and Values
The Fron Male Voice Choir has a constitution since its inception in 1947 and is proud of its Welsh heritage.
The choir strives to bring choral music to everyone and to encourage other music groups and individuals to follow a musical path as well as supporting charitable causes and local organisations.
All monies earned from concerts and other paid events go into running the choir and funding choir projects such as recordings or travel.
All officers are voluntary, and no individual other than the professional music team is paid directly for their work.
FRONCYSYLLTE MALE VOICE CHOIR
Charity # 1069388
Income and Expenditure Statement
| Year ended 31.December 2024 | Year ended 31.December 2024 |
|---|---|
| Income from: | |
| Membership Subscriptions - 2024 Gift Aid - tax reclaim re subs & donations Choristers' contribution towards uniforms, etc Various Donations Concert revenue (inc reimbursement for travel, etc ) Sales of CD's/DVDs/Records Sales of other merchandise Bank interest Contras (recovery of amounts paid on choristers behalf) C Total Income - |
4,475.00 £ 1,245.53 £ 265.00 £ 8,018.63 £ 21,393.06 £ 3,108.16 £ 1,345.15 £ 1,562.67 £ 2,100.00 £ |
| 43,513.20 £ |
|
| Expenditure on: | |
| Concert expenses - 2023 Travel costs to concerts, etc Musical Director - honorarium and fees Deputy Musical Director - honorarium & fees Accompanist - honorarium, expenses & fees Music purchases Choristers costs, uniforms etc Administration expenses (inc Website; Insurance; etc ) Rehearsal & Committee room hire costs Sundry expenses Purchase of CDs; and other merchandise Donations/Gifts to various charities & organisations Purchase of equipment Contras - payments to be recovered from choristers) C Total Expenditure - |
4,285.18 £ 3,150.00 £ 8,150.00 £ 2,920.00 £ 7,150.00 £ 1,266.04 £ 317.10 £ 992.19 £ 420.00 £ 447.29 £ 2,286.24 £ 455.00 £ 1,681.90 £ 2,100.00 £ |
| 35,620.94 £ |
|
| Net Income/(Expenditure) for the period | 7,892.26 £ |
Prepared by: A D Smith - Treasurer
Examined by: A Goodchild - Independent Examiner
ITY rep Section A Report to the trusteesl members of Ff¥dcssw Lifc M t¥LE V'oi CÉ CHOIR On accounts forthe year ended 3 I TrECGirfbER Zo Charity no (rf any) lob9 3 £8 Set out on pa I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Yhe Trusf) for Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are re)tx)nsible for tne preparation basis f report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act ). I 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, I have followed the applicable Directions gtven by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (¢tythe ttyatVEclosal bekJNfyl*) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not acco] with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no cOnmS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper Linderstanding of the accounts to be reached. ° Please delets the words in the brackets if they do not apply. ned: Date: 2oZ Name: Relevant protsssional qualification{s) or body (rf any): Address: LIL