East Sussex Bach Choir
Trustees’ report 2021-2022
As with all choirs, the impact of Covid has been quite severe, both financially in terms of lost performances and in terms of our ability to meet and sing together. This year has seen us trying to recover much of this lost ground. We have been helped by maintaining close links during lockdowns, including zoom rehearsals and outdoor meetings, and the gradual introduction of distanced rehearsals and performances as permitted. We have been very grateful for the continuing loyalty of our members, and, unlike some similar choirs, the choir returned postlockdown at full strength. This meant that we were in a strong position to restart major public performances, albeit with some continuing restrictions on the size and distancing of audiences.
We were able to hold (restricted) sell-out concerts on four occasions during the year. The first, memorably, involved a powerful performance of Mozart’s Requiem which proved highly emotional for performers and audience. In June 2022, we welcomed a choir from Lewes’ twin town in Waldshut, Germany for a performance of Mozart C Minor Mass, an event delayed for 2 years by the pandemic. This was an important civic event, supported by the Town Council and Mayor, and marked the re-opening of exchanges between the towns. A reciprocal visit by ESBC to Waldshut is planned for December 2022.
Each of our concerts involved a full orchestra and soloists and while it was gratifying that we achieved maximum permitted audiences under the circumstances, it was inevitable that each concert ran at a significant loss. We were assisted with covering some of the losses by a small legacy from a long-time supporter of the choir, and a small grant from the Town Council. However, it is clear that, in order to maintain our schedule of high-level performances for our audiences in Sussex, as well as maintaining our commitments to support young singers and performers, we will need to actively engage in fund raising.
During the year, there has been a focus on trying to improve further the quality of singing across the choir, particularly after the long gap in singing together as a choir. Choir members are required to maintain regular attendance at all rehearsals to improve and maintain standards, and the commitment and enthusiasm shown by members has led to performances that achieved considerable praise from audiences as well as our professional soloists and orchestral players.
The Trustees and other members of the committee and Music Director have shown total commitment to maintaining very high standards and sustaining an excellent programme of events for our regular and new audiences. We have been pleased to welcome a new regular accompanist
on a long-term basis who brings a wealth of experience with period instrument ensembles to help our performance preparation.
The choir and Trustees are, as always, grateful for the exceptional contribution made by our Music Director in sustaining and developing our standard of performance and in creatively leading us through the pathways of Baroque music.
Mike Dawney, Chair, East Sussex Bach Choir, for the Trustees
EAST SUSSEX BACH CHOIR
Accounts 2021-2022
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
| Ticket income | £20805.06 | Insurance -MM | £322 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship £1800 | Music Hire | £398.58 | ||
| Subscriptions | £9112.34 | Orchestra Fees | £20658.2 | |
| Lewes TC Grant | £600 | Publicity | £1601.64 | |
| Legacy | £2500 | Accompanist | £2260 | |
| Advert income | £150 | Bank Charges | £42.48 | |
| Gift Aid | £1207.29 | Hospitality – Waldshut | £134.55 | |
| Interest from Reserve Account | Music Director | £6120 | ||
| £34.67 | Venue Hire | £2271.2 | ||
| Soloist Fees | £5000 | |||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | £38808.65 |
TOTAL INCOME £ 36209.36
TOTAL LOSS YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021 £2599.29
EAST SUSSEX BACH CHOIR BALANCE SHEET 1[st] September 2021 to 31[st] August 2022
Bank balance current account at 1[st] September 2021 £14843.95 Bank balance current account at 31[st] August 2022 £12,209.99
Income £36174.69 Expenditure £38808.65 Interest from Reserve Account £34.67 Loss on year £2,599.29
Bank balance reserve account at 1[st] September 2021 £10964.84 Bank balance reserve account at 31[st] August 2022 £10,999.51 Interest accrued £34.67
Choir funds (Bank total) on 31[st] August 2022 £23,209.50
East Sussex Bach Choir Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees For the year ended 31 August 2022
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiners statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
31 May 2023
Andrew M Wells FMAAT 99 Western Road Lewes East Sussex BN7 1RS
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