SPYM Chair’s Report
September 2024 – August 2025
The 2024–25 year has been one of growth, creativity and community engagement for the organisation. Throughout the year, our members, tutors, volunteers and supporters have continued to demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to making music accessible and enjoyable for young people.
Along with our regular Wednesday evenings, our external activities began in October 2024 with the orchestra performing at the Baroque Festival, providing members with an opportunity to take part in a high-quality public performance and engage with a wider audience. As usual, this was also a good fundraising opportunity for SPYM. The audience of the festival are always generous supporters of our work.
In November, our outreach programme “Shake, Rattle & Roll” visited Trenewydd Care Home, continuing our commitment to bringing music into community settings and creating meaningful intergenerational experiences. December saw a busy and festive period, with our Christmas Concert held at Brecon High School alongside participation in the Brecon Farmers’ Market, helping to raise the profile of the organisation within the local community.
In March 2025, members performed in the Easter Concert, showcasing the progress and dedication of our young musicians. May provided an exciting opportunity for SPYM members to attend a BBC National Orchestra of Wales event in Swansea, offering valuable inspiration and insight into professional music-making.
A significant development took place in June with the appointment of two new Musical Directors – Louise Hogan and Jeni Stokes – who will be job sharing the role. We look forward to the leadership, expertise and fresh ideas this will bring to the organisation in the years ahead. Also in June, the SPYM Choir performed at the HBTSR Welcome Day hosted by Brecon High School, contributing to a successful community event and further strengthening local partnerships.
July was a busy month for SPYM. Our Summer Concert in July marked the departure of Pedro, whose contribution to the organisation has been greatly appreciated. During the concert, the SPYM Trophy was jointly awarded to Edward Habgood and Ben Newton Fryers in recognition of their outstanding commitment and achievement. We were also delighted that Ben’s original composition was performed by tutors during the event. We also held our first Open Mic and Performance Day at The Muse in July, attended by sixteen SPYM members. The event provided a supportive and informal platform for young performers to develop confidence and performance skills.
Another highlight was our collaboration with the Brecon Choir Festival for the “Big Sing” at Theatr Brycheiniog, involving over 200 primary school children. This large-scale partnership event celebrated community music-making and was enhanced by a performance from our brass tutor’s - Ed Burfield’s - band.
During the summer, we expanded our educational outreach through Music Explorers sessions for children aged 4–7 and Buzz Club sessions introducing beginners to brass instruments. These initiatives provided valuable first experiences of music-making for younger children. Our “Shake, Rattle & Roll” programme also continued throughout the summer, including participation in Party in the Park and two sessions during the Jazz Festival weekend.
In August, three SPYM tutors performed in a lunchtime concert at the Cathedral, demonstrating the high calibre of musicianship within our teaching team. We also held a Wind Taster Day at Kensington Church for beginner players, encouraging new participation and widening access to instrumental music.
The trustees would like to thank all tutors, volunteers, parents, supporters and partner organisations for their continued encouragement and dedication throughout the year. Above all, we congratulate our young musicians for their hard work, enthusiasm and achievements. We look forward to building on this year’s successes in the coming year.
South Powys Youth Music Financial Report 2024-25
Introduction
A review of financial policies and procedures was made this year. This included a revised process for online record-keeping, for invoicing and for bill payments. New policies outlining routine financial management, the procedure in the event of large donations or legacies, and another covering charity reserves were approved by the trustees. As a result, it was determined that a reduction in reserves from £52k at the start of the financial year to a more appropriate £25-30k would be achieved via an intentional budget deficit over the next couple of years.
Income summary (total £36,492)
Once again, generous donations from friends and private benefactors provided the largest single source of income this year. In particular, the second of five promised contributions of £10k from a tremendously generous individual donor, has provided us with the confidence and stability to plan for the future.
Income from individual subscriptions and from hire of instruments collectively provides nearly half of all income for SPYM and we are grateful to parents for their continued support in these financially straitened times. The total (£16,789) was slightly less than the previous year, but this reduction is offset by a number of students (n=6) who were supported with reduced fees to ensure that music is accessible to all, regardless of the ability to pay.
A grant of £1700 from Powys CC enabled us to provide some singing workshops at local primary schools.
Bank interest of £1800 from charity reserves held in a notice account made a welcome contribution to income this year.
Expenses summary (total £57,612)
Total expenses were £6,600 higher than the previous year, however the figure includes costs relating to 2023-24, but invoiced and paid for this year - notably nearly £4k in delayed invoices from a SPYM tutor plus £4.5k for the provision of a bus to and from Hay for the Wednesday sessions at Brecon High School.
Invoices for the hire of BHS remained unforthcoming this year and the projected total cost will once more be rolled forward to the budget for the next financial year.
Restricted Funds
A balance of £14k remains in a fund restricted for outreach work. Suitable projects to use these funds to raise SPYM’s profile and to recruit new students for the regular Wednesday sessions will be a priority for the next year.
Summary
This year resulted in a deficit of £21,120 but the charity maintains a healthy reserve of £35,020 moving into 2025-26.
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