camden music trust
2023/24 ANNUAL REPORT and FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
Registered Charity No. 1126046
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 August 2024
Objectives and activities
Our purpose at Camden Music Trust is to facilitate participation in music activities by children and young people resident in or educated within the London Borough of Camden, and in particular to assist those who face hardship. We support young people’s music-making for the benefits this brings in itself and in their personal and wider educational development, such as resilience, team-building and self-discipline.
The Trust follows the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. We raise funds to support activities that schools are unable to provide, and which enrich the music experience of children and young people in Camden, including:
• Bursaries to support children (including those with disabilities) whose families cannot afford music lessons and activities outside school, so that they may enjoy the same benefits as less disadvantaged peers
• Events that inspire children and encourage them to aim high, such as the biennial Camden Schools’ Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, concerts in major London venues, and other specially devised programmes
• Running costs of two Saturday Music Centres, 35 youth ensembles (choirs, orchestras, jazz and other music groups) and holiday courses
• Musical instruments for loan or low-cost hire to young learners.
Activities funded by the charity are delivered by Camden Music Service under a grant agreement.
Achievements and performance
We had an exhilarating start to the period on 24 April 2023, with the Camden Schools’ Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall. This event is always joyous with almost every primary, secondary and special school in the borough taking part in a celebration of young people making music. The concert was a triumph with over 2,000 focussed and enthusiastic young performers, working with professional musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Kinetika Bloco and Khiyo, as well as their music teachers and Camden Music staff, performing music from a range of cultures, in one of London’s most renowned music venues.
The event prompted generous donations in the following months which have contributed to our grant of £120,000 to Camden Music Service to support bursaries, maintain a stock of quality instruments, run Saturday Centres and other ensemble activities, and deliver special projects. This grant was an increase of £40,000 on our previous year and covers 17 months, as we took the decision to change our financial year to align with the school year and better serve our funding applications and reporting cycle. This change was notified to the Charity Commission.
We finish this year looking forward to the Camden Schools’ Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall which will take place on 30 April 2025, and have already started to fundraise for this event and many more opportunities for young people in Camden to benefit from making music.
Our great thanks go to Katrina Duncan and Sarah John, our fundraisers, for their sterling work and commitment.
Financial review
Income for this 17-month period was £180,294 and expenditure totalled £127,688. We ended the year with free reserves of £92,552, and carry forward restricted funds of £39,000 supporting four-year bursaries, commissioning funds and a special project for the 2025 Camden Schools’ Music Festival.
For the purpose of managing uncertainty, in particular short-term volatility in the Charity’s income, it is the Trust’s policy to maintain free reserves that represent between 40% and 50% of the charity’s current annual
expenditure on charitable activities. During the period under review the income of the Trust was greater than expected, particularly towards the end of the period, and it was not possible to apply the additional funds by increasing expenditure on charitable activities before the end of the period. As a result, as at 31 August 2024 the Trust’s free reserves exceeded 50% of its expenditure on charitable activities for the previous 17 months. The trustees expect to increase expenditure on charitable activities for the year ending 31 August 2025 in order to reduce free reserves to the level set out in the Trust’s policy.
Activities supported by Camden Music Trust
Activities supported by Camden Music Trust are managed and delivered by Camden Music Service. During this period the Service was lead partner of the Camden Music Hub which provides high quality music opportunities for over 5,000 young people each year.
Support for groups
Opportunities for social music-making are crucial to the development of young musicians, and foster links between children who live in different parts of the borough, and in different circumstances.
Camden Music Trust funding contributes to a wide range of initiatives including school holiday music courses, after-school ensembles and two Saturday Music Centres, currently providing activities for almost 1,000 young people. Our funding enables reduced participation fees for disadvantaged families and the opportunity for students to perform in professional venues such as LSO St Luke’s. The major part of the Trust’s income has come from unrestricted donations. We are very grateful to all our donors, without whom we could not continue to support these activities, as well as those described below.
Camden Schools’ Music Festival, April 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall
Somers Town Groups
Thanks to Vintners’ Foundation support, Camden Music Trust was delighted to support two after-school music groups in the summer term of 2023 in Somers Town, one of the borough’s most deprived areas. The groups were targeted towards children from families who had not previously attended out-of-school activities and were designed with this in mind: there was no fee to participate, the sessions took place locally, learning was aural and the music accessible.
Two groups – drumming and steel pans – led by highly skilled, inspirational practitioners, attracted pupils from local primary schools, 78% of whom received Free School Meals. Children did not need to have played a musical instrument before, and drums (samba drums and djembe) and steel pans were new to them all. The pace of learning was fast and the children developed a large number of inter-related skills in a very short time. Sessions culminated in a performance for family and friends celebrating the children’s achievements.
Participants:
‘I loved learning drums. I got good. I loved working with children from other schools. It was good having older people there too - it made it so we got good quicker.’
‘I learned how to hold the sticks properly. I felt very proud of myself.’ ‘What I enjoyed most is the sound we all made together.’ ‘We learned so much so quickly. It was quite hard, but I felt really proud of myself.’
Parents:
‘I did not know what to think but by the end of it I was in awe of what these young minds can achieve in such a short period of time. A was having fun talking about the interaction with others, all the work being put together and looking forward to showing all the hard work on the concert which was amazing.’ ‘My child has loved being part of the group. The concert was wonderful. And we all got involved!’ ‘What they’ve done in such a short space of time is wonderful. My son hasn’t been involved in music before, but he has loved doing this. We’re very keen to do more things.’
Music leader:
‘The expression on the pupils’ faces once they entered the music room was one of total joy. The way they worked as a group, despite being of mixed ages and ability, was heart-warming. The project achieved far more than just improving the drumming abilities of the pupils. There was a great sense of togetherness between pupils and parents by the end of the project.’
Special Educational Needs / Disabilities Group
In 2022/23, we were successful in achieving grants from Chapman Charitable Trust, the Radcliffe Trust and Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust to pilot a group for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. After challenges in securing a venue which was suitably located and accessible, this group began in summer 2023 and ran as a pilot for two terms without any charge to participants; it proved popular and we raised further funds from St James’ Place Charity for it to continue, and it is now one of Camden’s year round after-school music groups
Participants included young people with a wide range of needs including autism and separation issues, nonverbal communication, sight impairment, speech and developmental delay.
Families’ feedback included:
‘I loved how the tutors took their lead from the children and really brought them into the sessions. It was a lovely session to do together with my son and to meet some other families.’
‘The tutors were excellent - meeting the children on their level. I loved when the sessions were more of a free flow jamming session - all about exploring.’
‘Through the sessions that we attended I saw my son's confidence and ability to engage with the activities increase. It was brilliant seeing him be part of creating something and having the chance to explore in his own time and way.’
One tutor observed the positive impact on participants, as they were able to access different instruments and ways of playing (turn-taking, soloing, and copying, for example). He added: ‘the group also seems to have promoted and enhanced a special moment that they could share with their parents/carers’ .
Another tutor commented that parents seemed to have benefitted from a space in which they could experience a creative activity with their child in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
The group is now called Voyagers , to communicate the idea of musical exploration and discovery, and that the young musicians are travelling together, collaboratively, on this journey.
Camden Primary Choirs Festival
With our support, 31 schools brought 900 children to perform to audiences of more than 1,500 over three nights at Somers Town Community Sports Centre. This Festival is about the joy of singing, but it also serves as in-service training for music co-ordinators, choir leaders and class teachers, and is a key element in ensuring that singing in the borough is of a high standard. The excitement of children arriving at the Sports Centre to find raked seating, coloured lighting, and a professional band, plus Bangla expert Sohini Alam from Khiyo to lead them in a complex and exciting Bangla song was very evident, though one knowing 10-year-old assured his friends that ‘ the Albert Hall is bigger than this’ .
Camden Youth Recorder Group (CYRG)
We thank Tom Schuller for his generous donation to support the Camden Youth Recorder Group.
Launched in September 2021, this group offers a pathway for recorder players, ensuring continuation beyond whole class ensemble teaching and SuperToots (a beginner mixed woodwind group).
CYRG is led by two of the borough’s specialist recorder teachers. Seeing and hearing professional musicians play a varied repertoire at a high level is inspirational for young musicians, helping them appreciate the potential of their instrument.
This past year the group has had 15 regular members aged between 9 and 17, playing a | range of recorders, from descant to great bass.
Commission
With support from the Marchus Trust, Camden Youth Orchestra commissioned a new work. Orchestra members were involved in the selection process and chose to work with graduate student James Madrilejo.
First Flight included ideas from the young musicians and was premiered at LSO St Luke’s on 14 April 2024.
Composer James Madrilejo with Camden Youth Orchestra at LSO St Luke’s
Support for individuals
Pathfinder bursaries support young people with a passion and talent for music from families who cannot cover the costs. The bursaries provide four years of individual tuition, support and resources when free instrumental tuition is not available in schools. These young people are then able to start GCSE Music, when free instrumental lessons are again available at school.
The Pathfinder bursary provides these keen young musicians with:
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instrumental lessons and instrument hire
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structured opportunities to play in music groups which have a vital social role
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mentoring by experienced, qualified staff
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access to support structures after the bursary ends, to age 18.
In 2023/24, thanks to grants from Hedley Foundation, Reta Lila Howard Foundation and donor Jessica Hawley, we were supporting 20 Pathfinders as well as shorter-term support for other young musicians.
Trust funding also assisted Camden Music Service to offer reduced rate instrumental teaching and instrument hire which followed a surge of interest from families responding to publicity about this being available to those in receipt of benefits such as Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit.
Instruments
Camden Music Trust support ensures there are instruments available for hire at a reduced rate for children and young people receiving Free School Meals and at no charge for those with a bursary for their instrumental lessons. In 2023/4, Camden Music had instruments on hire to 364 individuals.
A grant from the Foyle Foundation enabled the Service to engage a part-time technician to organise its stock of over 2,000 instruments and put a backlog of damaged instruments into full working order, to rationalise the storage and presentation of the instruments so as to facilitate good management, and to conduct an inventory of the instruments. When instruments are hired out, they are now supplied with a maintenance kit and instructions for cleaning and keeping them in good working order.
With Reta Lila Howard Foundation funding, we supported the purchase of instruments for use by five Pathfinders (bursary holders) whom the Foundation is supporting. These students have reached a point in their progression where they will benefit from playing a higher quality instrument.
Deborah Rees, Head of Camden Music Service said: ‘It was so moving to see the delight of these Pathfinders on receiving the new instruments. It meant so much to them that someone had thought they were worth this very special loan and they were clearly excited about playing… . I asked them to tell us what having this instrument means to them and here are their responses’:
‘Even though I had the other old French horn, having a new one has made me appreciate it even more and has given me more enthusiasm to learn and practise. Thank you so much again.’ Lucy
‘Thank you so much for the new flute. It makes a lovely sound and is so much easier to play on – I love it.’ Grace
‘Thank you so much for the new violin, the sound is amazing and so much better than my old violin. When I play I can feel the music unlike my old violin. My new violin is much easier to play as it feels very smooth. It makes me more excited to play.’ Riley
‘Holybel is loving it. She said that the feel of the [new] flute is definitely different and the sound is much better than before.’ Holybel’s mum
‘Thank you so much for buying the new saxophone for me to use. I really love it and I know that it will really help me with my practice and performance and will make me want to continue playing and learning saxophone. … It will really help me with mastering those jazz solos in Advanced Jazz Band and cracking those hard melodies in Philharmonic. … I know that it's really going to benefit me in the future. … this new Yanagisawa sax will really help me get a better grade in my music GCSE.’ Danny
Charity structure, governance and management
Camden Music Trust registered as a charity on 28 September 2008 and is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust. Governance is exercised by the Charity’s trustees. Our trustees bring a wide range of appropriate skills to manage the Charity; they are appointed by invitation when required to replace resigning trustees or fill gaps in skills and experience. Trustees meet five times per year augmented by working groups focusing on specific projects.
Camden Music Trust’s management, policy- and decision-making processes adhere to the Charity Commission’s guidance. In particular, we have a suite of policies that are regularly reviewed and updated: Complaints
Conflicts of interest Financial management and accounting Information security Know your donor Privacy Reserves and investment Safeguarding Trustee expenses Whistleblowing.
Trustees 2023/2024
| Trustees 2023/2024 | |
|---|---|
| Sarah Allen | Musician, music educator, folk music booking agent |
| Ian Baker, Secretary | Retired District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) and Recorder, formerly a |
| solicitor, amateur saxophonist | |
| Esther Caplin, Chair | Artist/art historian, community organiser, urbanist |
| Martin Fraenkel | Non-Executive Director, retired senior corporate executive, trustee of The |
| Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and amateur violinist | |
| Marisa Goldesgeyme | Retired Head of Junior School Music (Independent Sector); trained as a |
| professional cellist before teaching | |
| David Lindsell | Charity trustee, company director, former partner in EY, amateur trumpeter |
| Bavaani Nanthabalan | Retired headteacher with extensive teaching experience in Camden schools; |
| also trained in South Indian classical dance and music | |
| Stuart Poyner, Treasurer | Charity trustee, former audit partner in KPMG and experienced concert |
| attendee | |
| Dominic Tinley | Media and technology consultant, and trustee of Reach Volunteering |
| Patrons | |
| Martyn Brabbins | Former Music Director, English National Opera; Chief Conductor of the |
| Malmö Symphony with effect from 2025/26 | |
| Mark Crown | Trumpeter, producer, DJ and songwriter |
| Matthew Daines | Executive Director, University of California Trust (UK) |
| Nubya Garcia | Jazz saxophonist |
| Dame Christine Gilbert | Chair, Camden Learning |
| Cllr Jenny Headlam-Wells | Former Mayor of Camden |
| John Lill CBE | Classical pianist |
| Mark Pemberton | Arts consultant, former CEO, Association of British Orchestras |
| Louise Shackleton | Violinist, London Symphony Orchestra |
| Jon Snow | Journalist and broadcaster |
| Emily Stubbs | Director of Special Projects, Britten Pears Arts |
| Suggs | Lead singer, Madness |
| Nikki Yeoh | Jazz pianist |
The Trust sends its very best wishes for the future to Deborah Rees, Head of Camden Music Service since 2019, who retired this year, after 25 years with the Service, and working alongside the Trust. We warmly welcome Gareth Gay as the new Head of Service. We also send best wishes to Sheena Masson following her 31 years with Camden Music Service, developing and enriching the role of Primary Music Co-ordinator (to December 2023); and welcome new Primary Music Co-ordinator, Joshua Kaye (from April 2024).
Our thanks go to Rachel Barnes (Deputy Head of Service), Deirdre Box, Joel Kwantreng, Marilyn Martin, Joanne Smith, Jenny Morgan and the peripatetic teachers and school staff throughout Camden who do so much to support children’s music-making. Thanks also to interns, Ruth Da Gloria Sivi and Daniel Greene; to Camden schools, teachers, children and parents; Friends of Camden Music and their friends and families.
Camden Music Trust Registered Charity No: 1126046 Crowndale Centre 218 Eversholt Street LONDON NW1 1BD camdenmusictrust.org
This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the Trustees on 25 November 2024, and is signed on their behalf by
Esther Caplin – Chair of Trustees
Funders, Sponsors and Donors
In the period ended 31 August 2024, Camden Music Trust received funds from the following trusts, companies and major individual donors:
The Aldama Foundation Julius Baer Covereys The Foyle Foundation Jusaca Charitable Trust The Loder Family Charitable Trust The Marchus Trust Phoenix Works Reta Lila Howard Foundation St James’ Place Charity TIOC Foundation The Vintners’ Foundation
Matthew Daines Martin Fraenkel Jessica Hawley Gavin Potter Tom Schuller Daniel Silverstone Emma Stockton Peter West and many more individual donors.
Camden Music Trust wishes to thank all individual donors who have financially supported us; their generosity has ensured that Camden young people from disadvantaged backgrounds may benefit from their engagement in music alongside their peers.
Independent examiner's report
To the trustees of
Camden Music Trust
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Camden Music Trust (‘the Trust’) for the 17 month period ended 31 August 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of the report
As the charity trustees of Camden Music Trust 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 examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination that give me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Caroline Sharp FCA, DChA
Date: 25 November 2024
55 Canberra Road LONDON SE7 8PF
CAMDEN MUSIC TRUST
(Registered Charity No: 1126046)
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT For the 17 Month Period Ended 31 August 2024 Note Donations and legacies received 1 Interest received Total receipts Payments for charitable activities 2 Independent Examination Advertising and Marketing Other payments Total payments Excess of receipts over payments Total cash funds brought forward Total cash funds carried forward |
Total Total 17 months 12 months ended ended Unrestricted Restricted 31-Aug-24 31-Mar-23 £ £ £ £ 130,738 48,140 178,878 105,482 1,416 - 1,416 - 132,154 48,140 180,294 105,482 78,020 41,980 120,000 90,000 650 - 650 650 4,758 - 4,758 - 2,280 - 2,280 991 85,708 41,980 127,688 91,641 46,446 6,160 52,606 13,841 46,106 32,840 78,946 65,105 92,552 39,000 131,552 78,946 |
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CAMDEN MUSIC TRUST
(Registered Charity No: 1126046)
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| At 31 August 2024 Note Assets: Cash at bank 3 Debtors: HMRC: Gift Aid Tax Claim Liabilities Independent Examination |
Total Total 31-Aug 31-Mar Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 92,552 39,000 131,552 78,946 - - - 912 92,552 39,000 131,552 79,858 31-Aug 31-Mar 2024 2023 £ £ 700 650 |
|---|---|
Approved by the Trustees on 25 November 2024 and signed on their behalf
Stuart Poyner
Treasurer
Esther Caplin Chair
CAMDEN MUSIC TRUST
(Registered Charity No: 1126046)
Notes to the accounts for the 17 month period ended 31 August 2024
Basis of preparation
| The accounts consist of a receipts and payments account and a statement as permitted by section 133 of the Charities Act 2011. Note 1 Donations and legacies Trusts and Corporations Individuals Campaigns and Events HMRC - Gift Aid Note 2 Payments for charitable activities Bursaries Instruments 100 Hours of Music Saturday Centres, Ensembles and School Holiday Programmes Special Educational Needs project Commissions Camden Schools' Music Festival, Royal Albert Hall Bridge Ensembles and Singing Strategy |
of assets and liabilities, Total Total 17 months 12 months ended ended Unrestricted Restricted 31-Aug-24 31-Mar-23 £ £ £ £ 69,460 45,040 114,500 74,908 54,180 3,100 57,280 22,965 - - - 2,049 7,098 - 7,098 5,560 130,738 48,140 178,878 105,482 Total Total 17 months 12 months ended ended Unrestricted Restricted 31-Aug-24 31-Mar-23 £ £ £ £ 1,226 11,340 12,566 16,000 2,500 16,000 18,500 8,000 - - - 1,000 72,794 4,640 77,434 37,000 - 9,000 9,000 - - 1,000 1,000 - - - - 18,000 1,500 - 1,500 10,000 78,020 41,980 120,000 90,000 |
|---|---|
| Note 3 Restricted funds Bursaries Reta Lila Howard Foundation Hedley Foundation Individuals Special Needs Music Group Trusts and Corporations Instruments Reta Lila Howard Foundation Foyle Foundation Commissions Marchus Trust After-School Group Individuals The Vinters' Company Special project for performance at Royal Albert Hall 2025 Reta Lila Howard Foundation Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds General funds TOTAL Cash funds Movement in funds St. James's Place Charitable Foundation |
Opening Closing Balance Movement Movement Balance 01-Apr-23 In Out 31-Aug-24 £ £ £ 22,500 7,500 (7,500) 22,500 2,540 - (2,540) - 1,300 - (1,300) - - 2,500 (2,500) - 6,500 - (6,500) - - 7,500 (7,500) - - 8,500 (8,500) - - 2,500 (1,000) 1,500 - 3,100 (3,100) - - 1,540 (1,540) - - - - 15,000 - 15,000 32,840 48,140 (41,980) 39,000 46,106 132,154 (85,708) 92,552 78,946 180,294 (127,688) 131,552 |
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