Great Bowden Recital Trust
Financial Report 2020–2021
Music development, appreciation and participation for all
ABOUT GBRT
Great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) is a charitable trust, founded in 2004 and registered in 2006, promoting music in Market Harborough and the surrounding area. The Trust’s charitable purpose is ‘Music development, appreciation and participation for all’.
Music has been proven to have a visible, positive impact on the lives of young and old alike, building confidence, communication and discipline, increasing co-ordination and encouraging social relationships between individuals and groups of all ages. The Trust continually strives to encourage personal development by using music in all its forms, including running a range of community choirs and ensembles, organising concerts and events in the local area and beyond, European concert tours and an annual Junior X Factor talent competition for young musicians and singers. Surplus funds generated by these activities are used to fund a grant programme for young people in financial need to help to pay for singing and instrumental lessons.
GBRT’s Trustees
GBRT is managed by volunteer Trustees and Choir/Ensemble Secretaries. New Trustees are recruited by invitation from the Trustee board and are provided with copies of the most recent Accounts. They are also briefed on their legal obligations under charity laws, and on the content of the governing document of the Trust, together with the decision-making processes and recent financial performance.
The trustees during the 2020/21 financial year were:
Andrew Cartwright, Chairman Sue Benson, Managing Trustee Linda Pentland, Finance Trustee Kathryn Cartwright (appointed 01/07/2020) John Dilleigh (resigned 14/04/2021) Mark Newcombe Poppy Shortland (appointed 10/05/2021) Debbie Smith Lewis Webb
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
GBRT’s Areas of Activity
The Trust’s activities divide into three key areas:
1. Music Development
GBRT firmly believes that an individual’s financial circumstances should never be a barrier for progressing and developing their skill of singing or playing an instrument. The Trust actively encourages applications for grants towards instrumental or vocal lessons from local young people in financial need in the Market Harborough area.
Since the Trust was established in 2004, it has approved grants of nearly £4,500 for 7 instruments and of nearly £43,750 for 4,579 lessons.
In the 2020/21 academic year, the Trust awarded grants for 159 lessons worth £2,554.50.
2. Music Appreciation
From the outset, GBRT has consistently provided opportunities for audiences to appreciate the very highest quality of musical performance. The Trust organises an annual Community Concert which showcases some of the very best local young singers and instrumentalists, some of whom are performing in public for the first time. The Trust’s own choirs and ensembles also perform at a range of local and regional concerts raising money for both GBRT and for other charities and good causes.
3. Music Participation
The Trust positively encourages both young and not so young to become involved in music regardless of age, experience and background. Five GBRT choirs and ensembles have over 150 members who bring their enthusiasm and willingness to work as part of a team to every rehearsal.
The annual GBRT Junior X Factor competition is the largest and most established talent competition in the area. The heats and finals provide the opportunity for positive feedback from professional musicians and for the finalists to perform on stage to packed audiences. This fastgrowing competition regularly receives amazing feedback from participants and audience alike.
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
EVENTS 1[st] JUNE 2020 - 31[st] MAY 2021
On 16[th] March 2020 GBRT’s trustees suspended all rehearsals and events until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the exception of the Youth Choir Juniors who were too young to participate in online rehearsals, all choirs and ensembles continued meeting via video conferencing. This has been an important way for members to be able to keep in touch and support each other during the lock down periods.
Choir & Ensemble Rehearsals
| Adult Vocal Choir | 26 virtual rehearsals |
|---|---|
| Carnival Drums | 2 face-to-face rehearsals and 26 virtual rehearsals |
| Flute Choir | 23 virtual rehearsals |
| Orchestra | 1 face-to-face rehearsal and 21 virtual rehearsals |
| Youth Choir Juniors | 9 pre-recorded videos |
| Youth Vocal Choir | 3 face-to-face rehearsals and 17 virtual rehearsals |
Concerts and Gigs
Concerts organised by GBRT:
- Virtual Concert, November 2020 (GBRT Adult Vocal Choir, Carnival Drums, Flute Choir, Orchestra and Youth Vocal Choir plus Junior X Factor 2020 Finalists)
Other Concerts and Performances:
-
Harborough Virtual Carnival (GBRT Junior X Factor 2020 Finalists and a virtual Youth Choir Juniors session led by Graham Vick)
-
Leics Sing Together virtual concert (GBRT Adult Vocal Choir and Youth Vocal Choir)
-
Good Morning Britain news item on choirs (GBRT Adult Vocal Choir)
Competitions
Virtual Junior X Factor 2021 Competition comprising video entries and a virtual Finals Concert on YouTube.
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 1[st] JUNE 2020 - 31[st] MAY 2021
| Area of Activity | Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choirs and Ensembles | £7,459.26 | £14,108.00 | £6,648.74 |
| Concert Tour | £9,465.30 | £9,465.30 | |
| Other Events and Trips | (£84.00) | (£84.00) | |
| GBRT Junior X Factor Competition | £847.76 | £798.50 | (£49.26) |
| Concerts and Gigs | £165.42 | £ 165.42 | |
| Other Income | £576.91 | £576.91 | |
| Donations to Other Charities | |||
| Grants to Young Singers and Instrumentalists | £2,282.20 | (£2,282.20) | |
| Miscellaneous Expenditure | £2,391.77 | (£2,391.77) | |
| TOTAL | £12,980.99 | £25,030.13 | £12,049.14 |
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD FROM 2019/20 | £27,811.45 | £27,811.45 | |
| TOTALS FOR 2020/21 | £12,980.99 | £52,841.58 | £39,860.591 |
1 Includes £27,729.47 deposits for concert tour to Italy due to take place in 2022
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
IMPACT OF COVID-19
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the way in which the Trust can deliver its objectives. The majority of the Trust’s work is normally delivered through face-to-face rehearsals, concerts and events, which were virtually all cancelled during 2020/21. However, the impact on the Trust’s financial viability has been less severe thanks to its funding model and relatively low level of fixed overheads.
Subscriptions
GBRT’s main source of income is subscriptions paid by members of its choirs and ensembles. These are paid in advance before the start of each term. Most choirs and ensembles have been able to continue rehearsing online which means that members are still able to receive benefit from the subs that they pay. MDs are engaged to run these rehearsals on a freelance basis, which allows flexibility, and there have been cost savings on accompanist and venue fees. Trustees regularly review the subs income received for each choir and ensemble to ensure that the costs of rehearsals can be met, and are able to adjust the number and/or length of rehearsals offered if necessary. There is currently sufficient surplus generated from subs to fund GBRT’s essential running costs and grant programme.
Concerts and Events
The Trust would normally generate additional income from donations made by audience members at concerts and performances. However, there has also been a reduction in expenditure on concert venues, MD and accompanist fees and promotion and the net loss of income is sustainable.
Essential Running Costs
As the Trust does not own or rent any offices or employ any staff, essential running costs (e.g. insurance and independent examiner fees) are relatively modest. The Trust is carrying forward sufficient surplus funds from the 2020/21 financial year to cover all essential costs for 2021/22.
Grant Programme
The Trust uses any surplus generated from its other activities to fund a grant programme for young singers and instrumentalists who need help to pay for their specialist music lessons. The grant programme is funded from the surplus generated in the previous financial year and amount of funding made available can be adjusted according to the available funds. Grants are awarded for one school year.
Going Concern
For the reasons set out above, GBRT’s Trustees are confident that the Trust will continue to be a going concern throughout the 2021/22 financial year.
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
GBRT CHOIRS & ENSEMBLES
GBRT began the year with six choirs and ensembles – Adult Vocal Choir and Flute Choir for over-18s, Carnival Drums and Orchestra for all ages, Youth Vocal Choir for 10-18 year olds and Youth Choir Juniors for ages 5-9. Youth Choir Juniors ceased to operate in March 2021 due to declining numbers and the impact of the pandemic on children’s activities.
Each group is self-funding as every member pays an affordable termly subscription fee to cover the costs associated with running the group as detailed below. Surplus funds are used to fund the charity’s general running costs and grant programme.
| Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance brought forward from Ensemble Accounts 2020/21 | £9,547.90 | ||
| Subscriptions(Winter 2020,Spring& Summer 2021) | £13,445.00 | ||
| Singers Face CoveringPurchase | £700.76 | £663.00 | |
| Accompanist Fees(Adult and Youth Vocal Choirs) | |||
| Music Purchase and Licences(All Ensembles) | £536.53 | ||
| Musical Director Fees | £4,983.97 | ||
| Garage Hire for Equipment Trailers x 2 | £1,320.00 | ||
| Rehearsal Venue Hire * | (£82.00)2 | ||
| TOTAL | £7,459.26 | £23,655.90 | £16,196.64 |
GBRT EVENTS AND TRIPS
GBRT Concert Tour 2022
The GBRT Adult Choir is due to travel to Northern Italy for a concert tour in April 2022 (postponed from April 2021 due to COVID-19).
| Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance brought forward from Tour Account 2020/21 | £18,264.17 | ||
| Italy2022 Concert Tour Individuals’ Deposits | £9,465.30 | ||
| Payments to Club Europe Concert Tours | |||
| TOTAL | £27,729.47 | £27,729.47 |
2 Refund of overpayment from previous financial year
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
Other Events
| Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Concert, May 2020 – Adult Vocal Choir and Orchestra |
|||
| Coach Tickets – lapsed cheques | (£24.00) | ||
| TOTAL | (£24.00) | (£24.00) | |
| Curve Theatre Trip, July 2020 – Youth Vocal Choir | |||
| Ticket Sales – refund of depositspaid | (£60.00) | ||
| TOTAL | (£60.00) | (£60.00) | |
| TOTAL EVENTS AND TRIPS | (£84.00) | (£84.00) |
GBRT Junior X Factor Competition
| Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior X Factor 2021 Sponsorship(Market Harborough and The Bowdens Charity) |
£750.00 | ||
| Prizes – Singingand Instrumental Lessons3 | £332.00 | ||
| Prizes – Music Store Vouchers | £350.00 | ||
| Trophies and Medals | £55.50 | ||
| Certificates | £23.76 | ||
| Venue Hire(Heats) | £0 | ||
| Marketingand Postage | £86.50 | ||
| Donations from Finals Concert | £48.50 | ||
| TOTAL | £847.76 | £798.50 | (£49.26) |
3 Prize winners have up to a year to claim the funding for lessons, which is paid directly to teachers as and when their fees are due. This figure includes lessons awarded to the 2020 prize winners which were claimed during the 2020/21 financial year. Although total shows a deficit, GBRT provides funding for prizes of singing and instrumental lessons as part of its charitable work to support and encourage young singers and instrumentalists.
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
GBRT FUNDRAISING AND DONATIONS
Concerts and Gigs
| Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Concert November 2020 | £165.42 | ||
| TOTAL | £165.42 | £165.42 |
Other Income
| Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations Towards GBRT’s Admin Costs | £285.00 | ||
| Xero Costs Donation L Pentland | £120.00 | ||
| Amazon Smile Donation | £28.87 | ||
| GBRT Collection Box Donations | £23.04 | ||
| GermanyTour DVDs | £120.00 | ||
| TOTAL | £576.91 | £576.91 |
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
Grants to Young Singers and Instrumentalists
GBRT uses surplus funds from membership subscriptions, concert donations and other fundraising to make grants to support young people who need help to afford singing or instrumental lessons.
In June 2020, GBRT’s Trustees decided to reduce the amount of funding allocated to the grant programme in 2020/21 due to uncertainty about the impact that COVID-19 restrictions might have on the Trust’s income. The pandemic also made it more difficult to reach potential new applicants, as information would normally be shared through schools and music teachers during the Summer term - schools were closed to most pupils and music lessons were also impacted by the pandemic. The Trustees therefore decided to continue to fund all existing grant recipients but not accept any new applications for the 2020/21 school year.
| Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Grants to Young Musicians4 | £2,282.20 | (£2.282.20) |
4 This is the amount of funding actually paid to singing and instrumental teachers during the 2020/21 financial year, rather than the amount of funding approved by Trustees
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
GBRT MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURE
The Trust believes in complete financial transparency so all other expenditure during this financial year is listed below.
| Expenditure | Income | Surplus/ (Deficit) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Examiner Fee | £336.00 | ||
| Equipment Purchase and Repair(Microphone for broadcasting rehearsals, clear roller banners x 4, mp3 player to loan to ensemble members for virtual recordings) |
£470.25 | ||
| Public Liability& Equipment Insurance5 | £132.00 | ||
| MakingMusic MembershipFee | £365.00 | ||
| DBS Checks | £6.00 | ||
| Xero Subscription (12 months) | £120.00 | ||
| GermanyTour DVDs | £143.13 | ||
| Website,Domain Name Renewal,SEO | £244.64 | ||
| Facebook advertising | £47.45 | ||
| Stationeryand Postage | £17.39 | ||
| Zoom subscription fees for virtual rehearsals | £113.25 | ||
| COVID-19 expenses – face shields,wipes, gloves | £77.76 | ||
| Dropbox for virtual recordings | £9.99 | ||
| Gifts | £31.41 | ||
| Post Office Box Rental(12 months) | £277.50 | ||
| TOTAL | £2,391.77 | **(£2,391.77) ** |
5 Reduced cost insurance is offered as part of the membership package for Making Music
Great Bowden Recital Trust, Registered Office: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA Constituted as a Charitable Trust by means of a Declaration of Trust on 29[th] June 2006, Charity Registration Number: 1118140
| 1stJune 2020 | 31stMay2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| FundsinGBRT Bank Accounts | £27,811.45 | £39,860.59 |
| Creditors | ||
| Invoices duetobepaidforthis period | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| INCOME | 1st June 2018 - 31st May 2019 |
1st June 2019 - 31st May 2020 |
1st June 2020 - 31st May 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD/DVD Sales | £210.00 | £0.00 | £120.00 |
| Clothing - Hoodies & T shirts, Face Coverings | £32.25 | £171.25 | £663.00 |
| Donations - General (including staff/admin donations and collection tins) | £1,586.39 | £597.96 | £308.04 |
| Donations - Performance | £3,179.37 | £1,130.59 | £213.92 |
| Event Income (workshops, trips etc) | £3,368.50 | £3,872.12 | -£84.00 |
| Other Revenue | £157.13 | £264.00 | £148.87 |
| Sponsorship | £550.00 | £1,150.00 | £750.00 |
| Subscriptions In | £17,815.00 | £17,050.50 | £13,445.00 |
| Tour Income | £20,917.50 | £28,407.50 | £9,465.30 |
| Total Income | £47,816.14 | £52,643.92 | £25,030.13 |
| EXPENDITURE | 1st June 2018 - 31st May 2019 |
1st June 2019 - 31st May 2020 |
1st June 2020 - 31st May 2021 |
| Accompanist Fees | £1,150.00 | £850.00 | £0.00 |
| Accounts and Audit | £394.00 | £450.00 | £456.00 |
| CD/DVD costs | £143.13 | ||
| Donations Given to Others | £862.60 | £1,500.00 | £0.00 |
| Equipment Purchased and Repaired | £1,645.15 | £983.16 | £470.25 |
| Event Costs (workshops, trips etc) | £5,295.81 | £2,201.27 | £0.00 |
| Garage Hire | £1,315.00 | £1,335.00 | £1,320.00 |
| General Expenses | £177.53 | £29.75 | £207.00 |
| Grants Given | £3,274.50 | £3,138.20 | £2,282.20 |
| Hoodies and Tshirts, Face Coverings | £140.65 | £536.52 | £700.76 |
| Insurances and PRS fees | £609.91 | £707.85 | £497.00 |
| Junior X Factor Trophies, Vouchers etc | £480.30 | £1,072.67 | £847.76 |
| Marketing (website, posters, flyers) | £475.70 | £444.75 | £292.09 |
| Music Purchase | £1,528.39 | £511.37 | £536.53 |
| Musical Director Costs (including CPD and DBS) | £12,333.03 | £8,746.40 | £4,983.97 |
| Printing, Post and Stationery | £726.48 | £556.86 | £294.89 |
| Staff Costs | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Tours | £27,980.90 | £10,560.00 | £0.00 |
| Venue Hire - Concerts | £453.98 | £541.35 | £0.00 |
| Venues - Rehearsal | £2,763.50 | £2,714.06 | -£82.00 |
| Volunteer and Trustee Costs (meeting room hire, training, gifts) | £117.00 | £117.10 | £31.41 |
| Total Expenses | £61,724.43 | £36,996.31 | £12,980.99 |
| TOTAL SURPLUS | -£13,908.29 | £15,647.61 | £12,049.14 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GREAT BOWDEN REaTAL TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021 I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2021. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requiremenls of the Charities Act 20111'ihe Act'l- I report in respect of my examination of the charItS accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in corbnection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect= accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matter5 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. Alexander West FCA Z&- A. £P&I Somerbys Chartered Accountants 30 Nelson Street Leicester LEI 7BA