## **EXULTATE SINGERS**
**ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
Charity No: 1101751
**EXULTATE SINGERS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **INDEX**
|Contents
Trustees annual report
Independent examiner's report
Receipts & payments account
Statement of assets & liabilities|Page No|
|---|---|
||
1-6
7
8
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## **GENERAL INFORMATION**
## **CHARITY ADDRESS**
13 Oak Grove Easton In Gordano Bristol BS20 0LN
## **BANKERS**
CAF Bank Ltd PO Box 289 West Malling Kent ME19 4TA
## **ACCOUNTANTS**
Sam Forsey ACA 116 Bristol South End Bedminster Bristol BS3 5BL
## **EXULTATE SINGERS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
## **Objectives**
Exultate Singers’ objectives are as follows:
- _To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all aspects by the presentation of public concerts and other events._
- _To give musicians in Bristol and the surrounding counties an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills for the benefit of the community through performance._
- _To apply funds to other charitable organisations._
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance, including the guidance on public benefit and fee charging. Exultate Singers relies on donations and also income from fees and charges to cover its operating costs. In setting the level of fees, charges and concessions, the trustees give careful consideration to the accessibility of concerts for those on low incomes, such as students, children and Senior Citizens.
## **Trustees and Governance**
Exultate Singers is an association regulated by its constitution which was adopted on 5 November 2003.
The Trustees of Exultate Singers during the year were:
Susan Green Chairman Ian Carpenter Treasurer Christopher Gray Richard Johnson Philippa Ramsay Joanna Wyld
Accountant: Sam Forsey.
Trustees are elected at the charity’s annual general meeting for a period of one year, or until the next annual general meeting, when they may be re-elected.
## **Activities and achievements 1 August 2019 – 31 July 2020**
Saturday 26 October 2019 - **Lisbon Cathedral. Portugal**
As part of Exultate Singers' tour of Portgual, the choir performed a concert of music by Gabrieli, Tallis, Byrd, de Vivanco, Zielenski, Lopes Morago, Pearsall, Purcell, Howells, Carpenter, de Brito and Bruckner
## Sunday 27 October 2019 - **Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisbon, Portugal**
As part of Exultate Singers' tour of Portgual, the choir sang music by Lassus, Estevao de Brito, Lopes Morago, Ian Carpenter and Gustav Holst at Mass in the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
## Tuesday 29 October 2019 - **Faro Cathedral, Portugal**
As part of Exultate Singers' tour of Portgual, the choir performed a concert of music by Gabrilei, Tallis, Byrd, de Vivanco, Zielenski, Lopes Morago, Pearsall, Purcell, Howells, Carpenter, de Brito and Bruckner
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## Sunday 10 November 2019 - **Lux Aeterna**
In this early evening Remembrance Sunday concert at St George's Bristol, Exultate Singers performed a programme of music on the theme of light as a symbol of hope and optimism including music by Howells, Rachmaninov, Cecilia McDowall, Ian Carpenter and Nicholas O'Neill.
## Wednesday 11 and Saturday 14 December 2019 - **Carols by Candlelight**
Exultate Singers' annual concerts of beautiful carols and Christmas music in the medieval church of St James Priory in central Bristol.
## Friday 20 December 2019 - **Christmas Spectacular**
Exultate Singers' Christmas extravaganza with the Bristol Ensemble at St George's Bristol.
## Friday 24 January 2020 - **One Vision, One Voice**
Following their collaboration at the memorable High Sheriff’s Concert last summer, Exultate Singers and the Renewal Choir joined forces again to pay tribute to the power of music not only to transform lives, but also to bring communities together in the second performance of Toby Young’s _As One_ .
## Saturday 8 February 2020 - **Sense of the Divine: Saxultate!**
Exultate Singers was joined by the saxophonist Amy Dickson for a sensational evening of music including new commissions, arrangements based on timeless folk tunes and well-loved classics. Premiere performances included _Exultate Deo_ by Roderick Williams, _Out in the dark_ by Richard Barnard, _Cradle Song_ by John Ashton Thomas, _This light of reason_ by Nicholas O’Neill, _Greek Love Songs Vol. 2_ by Toby Young and a new arrangement by Eric Whitacre of his _A boy and a girl_ .
## Saturday 28 March 2020 - **Easter by Candlelight *cancelled***
Exultate Singers had planned to perform Domenico Scarlatti's virtuosic and dramatic _Stabat Mater_ , Victoria's _Tenebrae Responsories_ and large-scale multi-choir Holy Week motets in a candlelit Easter concert in the medieval church of St James Priory, but sadly the concert had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
## Thursday 4 June 2020 - **Bristol Arts Channel lunchtime concert**
Using archive footage, Exultate Singers performed as part of Bristol Arts Channel's free online lunchtime concert, curated by St George's Bristol. Streamed online on YouTube
April – July 2020 – All further live concert and performance plans were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
## **Plans for 2020 – 2021 Season**
Lockdown and general restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic caused Exultate’s plans for 2020-2021 to be extensively revised, often at very short notice.
## Sunday 20 September 2020 - **Autumn Serenade**
Exultate Singers' first post-lockdown performances took place in the gardens of St George's Bristol. Two onehour concerts were sung to audiences of 50 people, including music by Byrd, Palestrina, Bruckner, Finzi and Rheinberger.
## Sunday 8 November 2020 - **Songs of Hope**
An online concert on the themes of hope and light, including works by William Harris, Hubert Parry, Philip Moore, Edward Elgar and Rani Arbo.
## Tuesday 15 December 2020 - **The Lark Ascending Centenary**
Exultate Singers joined Bristol Ensemble and Bristol Beacon to recreate the concert that premiered one of the nation's favourite works at Shirehampton Public Hall, exactly 100 years ago.
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## Friday 18 December 2020 - **Christmas Carols with Exultate Singers**
Exultate Singers recorded an online concert of carols and readings, recorded at St George’s Bristol
## Monday 21 December 2020 - **Christmas concerts at St George's Bristol**
Exultate Singers performed two hour-long Christmas concerts at St George's Bristol which were also live streamed for an online audience to watch at home
## **CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES**
- _To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all aspects by the presentation of public concerts and other events._
- _To give musicians in Bristol and the surrounding counties an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills for the benefit of the community through performance._
- _To apply funds to other charitable organisations._
Exultate Singers seeks to attain its objectives as follows:
## _**To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all aspects by the presentation of public concerts and other events.**_
To this end, Exultate Singers provides informative and educational programme notes to every concert, and these are usually given away free of charge to audience members to ensure that they have a full account of the music that is being performed.
The information on our website also provides a good introduction to our concerts, providing an opportunity for prospective audience members to research the content before buying tickets.
In addition to this, especially in the more informal concerts, there is often a verbal introduction to the pieces performed to engage the audience by providing the historical and/or musical context of the piece. The information imparted comes from a variety of sources:
- l the Conductor’s own knowledge and experience of the music built up over a life-long career in choral music;
- l online research using resources such as Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians; Making Music; choirs.net; Boosey & Hawkes; the BBC website and other specific websites and resources specific to particular periods or events.
The repertoire covered is broad and balanced, including more challenging and lesser-known pieces along with more popular repertoire.
Exultate Singers concerts are frequently based upon a distinct theme, such as the anniversary of important historical events, to engage the interest of the audience and to link pieces together in an educational and informative way. There is also an attempt to contextualise the pieces in ways that are meaningful and relevant to audiences.
Across the 2019-2020 season Exultate Singers introduced several newly composed pieces of music in their concerts which introduced their audiences to a range of new and novel music. These pieces included the following:
- l _Exultate Deo_ by Roderick Williams (1st performance)
- l _Out in the dark_ by Richard Barnard (1st performance)
- l _Cradle Song_ by John Ashton Thomas (1st performance)
- l _This light of reason_ by Nicholas O’Neill (1st performance)
- l _Greek Love Songs Vol. 2_ by Toby Young (1st performance)
- l _Lux aeterna_ by Ian Carpenter (1st performance)
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## _**To give musicians in Bristol and the surrounding counties an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills for the benefit of the community through performance.**_
- l Exultate Singers’ continues to represent musicians from Bristol and the surrounding counties, with current members from City of Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Cornwall. Particular attention is paid to recruiting and training younger singers and they pay reduced choir subscription fees.
- l During 2019–2020 Exultate Singers worked with local orchestras the Bristol Ensemble and the Exultate Chamber Orchestra.
- l During 2019–2020 opportunities were given to several local composers including Richard Barnard, David Ogden and Ian Carpenter, who had several new works and arrangements premiered by Exultate Singers.
- l Members of Exultate singers have been given opportunities to develop as solo performers on numerous occasions.
- l Members of Exultate singers have been given opportunities to conduct small groups.
- l Musical development opportunities have also been given to our own long-standing and outstanding accompanist and organist Richard Johnson.
## _**To apply funds to other charitable organisations.**_
Exultate Singers continues to support local churches and other institutions, both in their use as concert venues and also by performing concerts to help with their fund-raising efforts as detailed below. Exultate Singers supports other musical charities such as orchestras by providing choral groups as necessary for their musical repertoire.
|Date|Concert|Amount raised|BenefitingCharities|
|---|---|---|---|
|11 & 14 December 2019|Carols by Candlelight|£1396.22|St James Priory
Registered Charity No.
1104408|
|11 & 14 December 2019|Carols by Candlelight|£1396.22|Bristol Samaritans
Registered Charity No.
219432|
## **Support of Local Venues**
During the year ending 31 July 2020 Exultate Singers supported local churches and other institutions by hiring rehearsal space and/or holding concerts at the following venues:
- l Redland Park United Reformed Church, Bristol (Registered Charity No.1131460)
- l St George’s, Bristol (Registered Charity No. 295178)
- l St James’ Priory, Bristol (Registered Charity No. 1104408)
## **Support of other local musical charities/groups/individuals**
During the year ending 31 July 2020 Exultate Singers collaborated with the following musical groups:
- l Bristol Ensemble (Registered Charity No: 1075201)
- l Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra (Registered Charity No: 1173054)
- l Renewal Choir
- l Bristol Youth Choir
- l St George’s Bristol: (Registered Charity No: 295178)
- l Exultate Chamber Orchestra
Exultate Singers provides work for professional musicians by giving work to composers and soloists. For example:
- l Toby Young _composer_
- l Richard Barnard _composer_
- l Roderick Williams _composer_
- l Amy Dickson _saxophone_
Exultate Singers is grateful for the support offered by the Friends of the choir, both financial and in-kind.
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## **Reserves Policy**
Exultate Singers maintains general reserves of at least £4,000 to support the choir’s ongoing activities and provide a contingency fund in case of poor ticket sales or unexpected costs. This reserves policy was reviewed prior to the AGM held on 4 June 2014, and subsequently increased to the aforesaid amount. The Treasurer continues to keep this under review.
## **Transactions with the Trustees**
During the year, one Trustee has been reimbursed three times for expenses incurred in carrying out activities for the charity. These reimbursements were:
£200.00 for mince pies for interval refreshments in Carols by Candlight concerts, December 2019. £190.00 for fruit punch for interval refreshments in Carols by Candlight concerts, December 2019.
£75.00 for gifts for concert hosts during the tour of Portugal, November 2019.
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## **Review of Risk**
The trustees have reviewed the risks to Exultate Singers and are satisfied that, by exercising constant vigilance by means of close scrutiny of the accounts appertaining to each concert, take steps to minimise them.
I declare, in my capacity of charity trustee, that the trustees have approved the report above; and have authorised me to sign it on their behalf.
Susan Green Chairman
Date: 12 May 2021
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**EXULTATE SINGERS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **CHARITY NUMBER 1101751**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS**
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examniation is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act;
- follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act); and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act;
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **Richard Bacon FCA**
**Date: 26 May 2021**
8 Eastfield Bristol BS9 4BQ
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## **EXULTATE SINGERS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
|**RECEIPTS**
Donations, legacies & other similar receipts
Operating activities to further charity's objects
Investment income receipts
TOTAL RECEIPTS
**PAYMENTS**
Charitable activities
Support costs
TOTAL PAYMENTS
**NET OF RECEIPTS**
**CASH FUNDS**
Cash funds b/f
Cash funds c/f|**2020**
**£**
15,137
44,492
19
59,648
46,751
7,195
53,946
5,702
12,389
18,091|**2019**
**£**
16,426
61,452
15|
|---|---|---|
|||77,893|
|||69,440
6,826|
|||76,266|
||||
|||1,627|
|||10,762|
|||12,389|
All the receipts and payments relate to unrestricted funds as the charity has no restricted or designated funds.
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## **EXULTATE SINGERS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES**
|**ASSETS**
Cash funds
Other monetary assets
Assets retained for charity's own use
TOTAL ASSETS
**LIABILITIES**
Sundry creditors
Deposits held
TOTAL LIABILITIES
**NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)**|**2020**
**£**
18,091
-
3,718
21,809
1,903
230
2,133
19,676|**2019**
**£**
12,389
1,683
4,100|
|---|---|---|
|||18,172|
|||1,276
225|
|||1,501|
||||
|||16,671|
All the assets and liabilities relate to unrestricted funds as the charity has no restricted or designated funds.
**Ian Carpenter Treasurer**
**Date: 26 May 2021**
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