LUCIS CHOIR
Trustees’ Report 2023-24
Presented at AGM, 22 10 2024
1. Chair’s Report
2. Treasurer’s Report
1. Chair’s Report
It must be some 11 years ago that members of Organum and Corsham Choral Choirs gathered to listen to an ultimatum delivered by their Musical Director. He outlined a vision of a new choir based in Bath and we could follow him or go our own way.
So, not without reservation, follow him we did and in 2014, Lucis was born and Francis set about carving a niche into the musical life of a city already well endowed with choirs. It took a few months for the name to be proposed and adopted and a little while longer to find the logo, but very soon, we were introduced to a repertoire very different to that of other local choirs.
In 10 years, Lucis has sung in a variety of venues in Bath as well as in Bradford on Avon, Malmsbury and Bristol, toured in Italy and Prague, joined other choirs to sing in the Carnegie Hall in New York and the Cadogan Hall in London and acquired contemporary composer Will Todd as a Patron.
We have established a secure financial footing, improved the quality of promotional material, increased our audience numbers and now have a website. Membership has fluctuated, chiefly because of the pandemic, but has now risen to pre-pandemic levels.
None of this has been possible without the enthusiastic leadership of Francis our Musical Director, but also without the time and energy supplied by Committee members. Secretaries, Treasurers, Chairmen, Librarians and other committee members have come and gone, but all have played their part in making a success of Lucis.
So to this, our 10[th] Anniversary year.
Lucis’ policy of inviting people to attend an Open Rehearsal at the start of each session has been successful in encouraging new members. Our membership now stands at 94
There have been a couple of changes on the Committee. Sheila has taken over as Membership Secretary. Glenys and her team, Anne and Isobel, have managed a challenging year sourcing contemporary music. Thank you all.
Unfortunately, all efforts to organize a tour have not succeeded, but thank you Tim Tayler for your ideas.
The social events ably arranged by Kay Labate and her team, Esme, Julia, David and Simon, have been well supported. The post-Christmas Party, the barn dance in February, the walk in June - when some went up the hill and others of us kept to lower ground, but all enjoyed the tea after the walk - all have a cohesive effect on Lucis.
And thank you to Jean Gunns for the hedgehogs, jugs, bowls and candle holders which she makes to supplement the choir’s finances.
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The Christmas Concert at St Luke’s in 2023 attracted a large audience, causing an unprecedented hunt for chairs and following this, many choir members went carol-singing in Bath, raising money for Mind.
At the start of 2024, Suzanne resigned from the choir and her position as Vice Chair. As she had taken on the role of coordinating publicity, this was very unfortunate. We have yet to find a Vice Chair. It will be essential to fill this role in the coming year.
The concert in St Mary Redcliffe in March posed a challenge. We were singing in an unfamiliar venue and drawing on an audience that did not recognize the name ‘Lucis’. My special thanks go to Vicky and Gareth for all their work in publicising the concert, which attracted an appreciative audience.
In preparation for that concert, the choir enjoyed a workshop with Charles MacDougal
The Party in the Park in May again attracted members of the choir, both as performers and audience.
July saw us back at Holy Trinity, Bradford on Avon, where, despite the competition of an ABBA event in the town, ticket sales were enhanced by the large number of audience members, who bought tickets on the door. Francis was in the USA for part of the rehearsal time for this concert, so we welcomed Matt Nicholls who stood in for him and then conducted part of the programme.
October’s concert in St Michael’s Without also attracted a healthy and appreciative audience. The choir appreciated singing with an orchestra.
And so to our Gala concert at Bath Abbey in December, which brings to an end the series of concerts for Lucis’ 10[th] anniversary.
Thanks must go to Felix, who does so much to arrange these concerts behind the scenes and to Tim, who is negotiating with Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution for our Gala concert.
Ann Butterfield continues to encourage Friends and Patrons, which helps both financially and to’ spread the word’ and Emma is busy posting articles on Social Media.
Claire Urmston, while not a member of the committee, continues to produce high quality flyers and programmes for Lucis. Thank you, Claire, for your time and expertise.
Colin, also not a committee member, maintains the John Fletcher site.
Susan, thank you for your efficient management of the committee and for keeping me focused.
And of course, thanks must go to our Musical Director and Accompanist, Francis and Will. It would not be so much fun without you both.
It’s seven years since Paul became Treasurer of Lucis. He has decided that the time has come to step back. Thank you, Paul, not only for the time and assiduous attention you have given to the role, but also for your wisdom and forward-thinking. The committee will miss you, but are delighted to know that you won’t be far away.
Elizabeth Sian Rogers
Chair, LUCIS CHOIR
22 10 2024
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2. Treasurer’s Report for Year Ending 31[st] August 2024
| Current Assets | 2023-2024 | 2022-2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAF Cash Account | £7,451 | £3,008 | ||
| CAF Gold Account | £13,341 | £16,676 | ||
| _ | ______ | |||
| Total | £20,792 | £19,684 | ||
| Increase in funds | £1,108 | |||
| Total Income and Expenditure | ||||
| This Year | Last Year | |||
| Income | £43,704 | £31,523 | ||
| Expenditure | £42,595 | £40,181 | ||
| Events during the Year | ||||
| Income | Expenditure | Profit/Loss | ||
| Autumn Vivaldi Concert | £3,252 | £3,282 | - £30 |
|
| St Luke’s Christmas | £3,028 | £1,786 | +£1,242 |
|
| Faure Workshop | £1,888 | £1,391 | +£497 |
|
| St Mary Redcliffe Concert | £4,030 | £4,331 | - £301 |
|
| Holy Trinity Concert | £2,606 | £2,656 | -£50 |
|
| +£1,358 |
Comments
It is pleasing to record that, as a result of a significant increase in Lucis Choir membership, annual subscriptions have increased from £13,668 to £16,538 in the last year.
Under the care of Ann Butterfield our Friends and Patrons scheme is doing well and has received a total of £1,135, up from £850 in the previous year.
There was no income from the Gift Aid scheme last year. After a complete update of the Gift Aid declaration forms, claims backdating to August ’22 were made and a total of £5,899 was received from HMRC.
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We set a budget of £4,000 a year for the hire and purchase of scores. This year we have exceeded the budget and spent £5,454. (£3,861 in 2023) We all knew that the Chilcott scores would push us over the budget so members agreed to pay separately for them and £653 was recovered.
In 2021-22 we made a loss of £2,112 on our concerts and workshops. Last year that loss was reduced to £627 and this year we have made a gain of £1,358.
Planning for 2024-2025
Five years ago, in order to establish the choir on a firm financial footing, we set an ambition to slowly build up our reserves to £40,000. Unfortunately, the pandemic got in the way and thwarted our plans. We do have, however, some signs that we are battling our way through. Thanks to the effort made by members our concert ticket sales are holding up well and the committee works hard to be careful with our outgoings.
Our annual subscription compares favourably with other similar choirs in the Bath area. There was no change in the annual sub of £204 last year and we agreed in the past to try and keep any necessary increases small and regular rather than hitting the members with a sudden big increase. Our fixed expenses will rise by about £1,000 next year and I have proposed to the committee that we have a small increase in the annual sub to keep pace.
Over the years Lucis has assembled a good library of music scores. As well as singing the classic repertoire we often include the works of more modern composers, the scores for which are often not generally available to hire so we must buy them in. This has resulted in a couple of dozen boxes of music that we have now got in store in St Luke’s church. We are planning to make this music available to hire to other choirs and to make some money for choir funds. If anyone is interested in helping with this endeavour, please let me know.
Our Christmas concert, being part of our 10[th] anniversary celebration, will be in Bath Abbey on the 17[th] December. We are sharing the celebration with The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute (BRLSI) who are 200 years old this year. Francis and Tim have developed a great programme of music. Lucis will take the lead and other choirs and ensembles will be involved. Some past members and regular singers with Lucis have also been invited. The budget for this concert is £10,000 so it is vital that we have wide publicity, sponsorship and great ticket sales.
Finally, I took over the role of the treasurer of Lucis from Brian Green some 6-7 years ago and it is time for me to hand over to another. It has been wonderful working with so many lovely people all of whom work so hard to keep Lucis the friendly and enjoyable choir that it is. Thank you!
Dr Paul Slade
Treasurer, LUCIS CHOIR
22 10 2024
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Lucis Choir- XR65479 Balancg Shogt dotsiled Asat 3110812023 3110812024 Current assets 01.. CASH Q2: CAF &4NK CalC•sh Account 7,451.05 13,341.43 3.008.22 03.. CAF UNK Gokl Ac£ount 16,675.71 Total Currnit assets 20.7914 19.6B3.99 Uabllftl•8 6699: Agency coll8ctions Tolal Llablllllos Not 1I8BOt surplus (dbllclt) 20,792.48 19,683.99 Exc¢ l {deficit} to data Z01.' starting balAnces 1,108.49 {8,657.94} 28,341.93 19,683.99 20,792A8 19,683.99 R•pre80nt ty Fund• Unreslricled D8swJnated Restrhaed ErKlowment 20.793.09 (0.611 18,149.60 1,726.39 (192.(Kl) Tolal 20,792.4B 19,683.99 23 September 21r24 Page 1
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees LUGI S CkFOI On accounts for the year ended |kn2+ Charlty no (if any) 1092gZ I Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended Responsibllltles and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation 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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent he charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming 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. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 201 Name: PHcfjZ Relevant professional qualification(s) or body Cf.P.A. trcLO c IER AJrslESS-. )kJU fvIENI Oct 2018 £NLE OFIL.