## **Trustees’ report year ending 31 December 2024** **Annual review** 2024 was Bath Minerva’s 30[th] year as a choir and we can’t think of a year where we have better exemplified our stated purpose as a choir. It included two extra-ordinary concerts of classical choral repertoire last spring and at Christmas, our first-overseas choir trip to Stockholm, the exploration of a key modern choral composer, Eric Whitaker, in our summer workshop and, arguably the icing on our 30[th] birthday cake, singing the glorious Messiah as part of combined choirs to a packed Albert Hall as part of the BBC Choral Prom on 7 September which received rave reviews from the national media and music press. The year started with **Bach’s** _**St John Passion**_ in the Abbey, which was a high point in our anniversary year, but also our 30-year concert programme. Esteemed tenor James Gilchrist, our soloist for the concert was so impressed with our performance, he agreed to be our Patron- the start of an exciting relationship. Our 30[th] year also saw our first overseas singing tour to Stockholm where we enjoyed Scandinavian hospitality and the delights of Stockholm and had the privilege to share both English and Scandinavian repertoire with our audience in the historic and stunning beautiful Katarina Kyrka, It was a resounding success and the Committee is already exploring further Minerva tour ideas, initially for the UK. Our summer Whitacre workshop was our best attended to date with a notable number of guest singers reflecting not only the popularity of Whitacre’s music but also the tremendous depth and passion of his writing technique. The opportunity to sing in a BBC Prom is a dream for any performer and we have Gavin to thank for this extraordinary opportunity. Who would have thought that Minerva, a ‘Proms debut ensemble’ would have such an opportunity? Not only the live performance to the 5,000+ audience, but also a live broadcast to millions and the opportunity to hear it on BBC Sounds for weeks afterwards and again on Christmas Eve. The only thing better than one stellar Messiah performance, is two stellar Messiah performances, albeit in very different settings. Our Christmas concert was sold out our and we could have filled Holy Trinity twice over. The concert was a resounding success with many audience members saying they had never heard us sing better and we were graced by extraordinary soloists once again, Bath Phil at their best and supported by expert harpsicord and organ continuo. What an end to a year of choral learning and celebration! There would be no Bath Minerva Choir without the contributions from many people in so many ways and often largely unseen. Putting on concerts and securing top rate soloists doesn’t come cheap, so fundraising is key. Apart from our annual subs and ticket income, our main sources of income are the Friends scheme, CDWM, the weekly raffle, the 100 Club, and this year a stellar auction which raised record amounts. Looking forward… our Faure and Vaughan Williams concert will stretch us in new ways and Richard Blackford’s ‘Not in Our Time’ will be an entirely different learning experience. BATH MINERVA CHOIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Charity Number 1098142 BATH MINERVA CHOIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CONTENTS PAGE Trustees and professional advisers Trustees, annuaL report tndependent examiner's report Statement of financial activities Balamce sheet Notes to the financial statements BATH MINERVA CHOIR TRUSTEES AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS TnLStee8 F Ansell W Starling S Strang C Smith R Hawkes L Ware J Hannah J Seeger J Thoma5 C McGrail H Stanton Treasurer Resi￿ed 24 February 2024 Secretary appointed 24 February 2024 Resigned 24 February 2024 Appointed 24 February 2024 Chair Registered Address 4 The Cleeve Corsham Wiltshire SN13 9JG Independent Examiner Ot Financial Accounts S Bruce-Jones Bankers CAF Bank Lid 25 Kings Hill Avenue King5 Hill West Mallin8 Kent ME19 4JQ TSB Midsomer Norton Branch 2 Silver Street Midsomer Norton Bath BA2 2HB BATH MINERVA CHOIR INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT To the Trustees and Members of Bath Minerva Choir. Charity Number 1098142 I hereby report on the accounts of Bath Minerva Choir for the year ended 31 December 2024, whith aTe sel out on pases 4 to 8. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts of the charity. The tnLStees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act), and an independent examination is appropriate. It is my responsibility to:_ examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act to follow the procedures IBid down in the General DiTections given by the commission under section 145151(bl of the 2011 Act state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination wa5 carried out taking in accordance with Ceneral Directions given by the Charities Commission. An examinatioii includes a review of the accounting records kept by the tharity and a compari50n of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seekins of explanations from you as trustees concernins such matters. The procedures undertaken do not Provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any maleTial respect the requirements.. To keep accounting records in accordan￿ with regulations made under section 130 of the 2011 Act,. To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting r￿ordS and comply with the accountins requitements of the 2011 Act have not been met or To whicll in my opinion attention Should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. S Bruce Jones Date.. BATH MINERVA CHOIR STATEMEwf OF FINANCIAL AcrtvrrIES for the Year Ended 31 De¢eJnber 2024 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources frorn charitable aetisrytes Contributioiis from nieniLEi's (including ta% rtfundsl and donations Iniome from concéi'is & tours Interest reieiiTable Oilier incom 20,100 76,278 1,964 569 16,642 14,148 1,412 371 ActiTrities for seneratÉns funds Xeieipls from fund-rdi5ing and sponqorship 7,269 7,545 Total incotying resources 106,180 40.118 RE50URCE5 EXPENDED Cost of 8enerating voluntary income Costs in luriheranLe of cliaritable oLijEils Managejnent & admlllÈStration 2a 2b 107.454 1,672 43,967 1,814 Total re80urces expended 109,226 45.781 Net incominglloutsoingl resources and net Jnovement in funds Fund5 brou8ht forward 73.393 Funds carried forward 64,684 67.730 All activities of the Charity are classed as iolltinuins All curreiit jear slliome and expenditt]re is unreslriited. The noies on pages 6- 8 form part of these financi