REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07129908 (England and Wales)
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1138309
REPORTOF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
FOR
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
'AC7OQgCQ'
OW7r2023
COMPANIE5 HOUSE
#122
GibsonBooth
LTD
Chartered Accountants. Business Advisers & Statutory Auditor
12 Victoria Road
Barnslev
South Yorkshire
S70 2BB

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR ThE YEAR EMDEO 31 JANUARY 2023
Reference and Administrative tyetails
Report of the Trustees
Independent Examinees Report
Statement of Financial Actlvitles
Balance Sheet
10 to 11
Notes to the Financial Statements
12 to 16

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATNE DEfAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
TrusrEES
PRBee
D Bennett Trustee (resigned 15.9.22}
M5 F Johnstone
H A Stephenson
N C Stevens
Mrs J Beere Trustee (deceased 23.10.221
Ms M Bedford (appointed 1.4.221
REGISTERED OFFICE
17 Montalbo Road
Barnard Castle
Co. Durham
DL12 8BP
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 07129908 (England and Wales)
REGISTERED CHARtTY NUMBER
1138309
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Gibson Booth Limited
12 Virtoria Road
Barnsley
Sovth Yorkshi
S70 28B
Pa8e I

THE 8RASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
The trustees who are also dirertors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Art 2006. present
their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2023. The trustees
have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended
Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting
Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102} {effective l January 20191.
OBJEcnvES AND AcnvmES
Objertives and aims
The Brass in Concert Championship is a charitable. brass band music festival and youth brass development
organisation based in the North East of England at our resident auditorium of Sage Gateshead. As at the
end of January 2023 the Brass in Concert organisation has succe55fully delivered 45 annual festivals and
over the last 6 years has expanded its mission through a relationship with Newcastle and Northumberland
music hubs {Music Partnership Northl to deliver a growing number of elementary youth brass educational
projects. The festival is widely considered the most prestigious brass band entertainment festival in the
World and remains dedicated to SUPPOrting and promoting brass banding actmties through showcasing the
finest and World's highest ranked brass bands.
Page 2

THE BRASS IN coN￿Rr CHAMPIONSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
OBJEcfivES AND AcnvmES
Significant activities
The financial year 2022-23 saw further significant progress on the board's multi year phased and risk
managed plan to return the festival to its pre pandemic size and scope on 18th and 19th November 2022.
That multi year plan was also seen by the board as an opportunity to revisit each component of the festival,
to inspett and as necessary change and improve the commercial viability. geographical location {for the
Youth components only) and delivery model.
The 2021 festival gave us good finanaal data and both audience and competing band feedback that
informed our plans on h¢)W to structure the festival for 2022 and beyond to ensure its ongoing viability and
future developmenL
The two main conclusions from the 2021 festival review that informed our key decisions for 2022 were
that:
111 The move of the main Brass in Concert Championship from its historical norm of a Sunday event to a
Saturday délivered..
Our highest ever box office ticket sales - perceived as a vote from our ticket buying patrons that
Saturday was preferable to Sunday for the Brass in Concert Championship
Clear and unambiguous feedback from the majority of competing bands that they were more likely to
accept invitations to the Brass in Concert Championship due to ease of travel and greater social
convenience of a Saturday. Thu5 the risk of "tsrgev highly ranked bands not accepting invitations is
significantly reduced.
121 Holding Youth Bra55 in Concert and Brass in Concert Championship on the same day was not feasible
due to..
- The late finishinB time of the Championship which led to reduced audience numbers later in the day
- No room for expansion of Youth Brass in Concert
- The length of the working day for staff and volunteers
Based ¢)n the above conclusions, in the financial year 2022-23 we presented the Brass in Concert
Championship with 12 World class bands competing on Saturday 19th November 2022. Box office sales
were again excellent with approximately 14(M) paying patrons in attendance. Feedback from bands and
patrons continued to be extremely positive regarding the change to a Saturday.
A festival party was introduced as a new concept and concluding element of the festival. enabling players
and audience to mingle and socialise in the concourse areas. This proved a suc￿5$ful new initiative that
the board intend to trial further in 2023.
Other new initiatives included a seeded draw for the Championship and a complimentary drink for each
competing player. Both these initiatives were well received and the board intend to adopt the seeded draw
as standard and rewew the complimentary drink initiative once ticket sales figures are known for 2023 and
an accurate forecast for the financial year 2023124 is available.
Our education programme was relaunched during October 2022 with workshops at various locations in
Newcastle and Northumberland. The project was by far our biggest and most ambitious project to date.
Page 3

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
OBJEcfivES AND AcnvmES
All 328 students performed on the main stage at the iconic Sage Gateshead auditorium to a near capacity
audience of friend5. families and local dignitaries. The concert itself wa5 just the culmination in a corrplex
project pulling together brass elementary and intermediate students from across the north Èast from a
diverse range of backgrounds. The workshops that were held before the main event and were created and
delivered by the inspirational leadership from one of the UK'S finest brass educators and supported by local
school and music hub brass teachers.
This was added to by the unique experience of being able to perform in such a prestigious venue. The
feedback we have had from the students, their teachers and the parents is that this has Eone a very long
way to ensuring these students remain motivated to continue learning and pratticing their instruments and
we know that many of the students have already fed through to regular playing in local community and
school bands and other rnusical en5emble5 that ensure the future of bra55 banding and music more
gener311y in the whole geographical area is enriched and secured.
The project was funded through donations from our main sponsors and grants from trusts and
foundation5. The project cernented our strong partnership with both Music Partnership North IMPNI who
project managed and administered the project and Br35s Bands England who provided the musical
direction and acted as the artistic
a(fvisors.
Youth Brass in Concert was postponed in 2022 whilst we undertook a strategic review of this element of
the festival taking into account its historic audience numbers. ticket and other sources of income, number
of competing youth bands, costs to run and our vision for its future etc. Our expectation was to Cornplete
that review in 2023 and to ￿[aunth a redesigned and potentially rel(xated Youth Brass in cOn￿rt in 2024.
This review will be done in partnership with Brass Bands England.
Similarly the reintroduction of a Gala Concert was deferred until 2023 whilst we gather more data on live
event tske-up post pandemic. particularly data in our brass band sector and the geography of NE England.
In terms of the overall evaluation of the festival by the sector press. the artists (the bands) and a signrficant
amount of audience feedback the festival was once again heralded a success and the strategic changes to
the f(Ymat appear to have been positive and now fomi a foundation on which to further build in 2023.
Page 4

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
The Brass in Concert Championship continues to provide a platform for the finest brass band5 in the world
to entertain and display, free of artistic restriction, their excellence as performers of high-quality original
and arranged brass band music.
This is achieved through creative and inspiring programmes and presentstion reflecting the most current
and progressive form of the 8enre, designed to appeal to t￿th the general listener and enthusiasts of the
discipline alike.
Our Youth and Education artiVTties are progressively being designed to showcase all that is good in live
music and deliver and support opportunity for young people to have the right to sample and learn a bra55
or percussion instrument regardless of background.
reported in the Trustees report for the year ended 31 January 2022 a number of initiatives were
undertaken in 2020 and 2021 to develop and rnodernise our core delivery processes and procedures and
the board can now report these are now all documented and complete.
The formal partnering and service agreements that we began to put in place in 2021 are now maturing with
our strategic partners to ensure the ongoing success of the festival. These relate to Music Partnership
North IMPN} where the now signed agreement formalises the scope and operating arrangements of the
partnership on Educational projects.
Similarly with Brass Bands England IBBEI we have now formalised and successfully utilised the support
services partnership for the delivery of projert management. grant writin& marketing and artistic advisory
they provide to 8ra5s in Concert. These partnership agreements have been duly approved by the board and
authorised by the CEO and all financial implications have been included in the 2022123 accounts and
2023124 budgets by our Finance Dirertor.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The reserves that we have set aside provide financial stability and the means for the development of our
principal activity. We intend to maintain our reserves at a level which is at least equivalent to £25,000.
rising to £40,W) over the next 10 years. We intend to use the resernes to invest in and develop the Bras5 in
Concert Festival event over this time frame.
The Board annually review the amount of reseNes that are required to ensure that they are adequate to
fulfil our continuing obligations.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNA￿ AND MANAGEMEKr
Governing documenl
The charity is controlled by its governing document. a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company,
limited by guarantee. a5 defined by the Companies Act 2(X)6.
Page 5

THE BRASS IN coN￿RT CHAMPIONSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
STRucfuRE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMEKr
Changes to the Board of Trustees
In line with these objertives and artivities the trustees have made the following
change5 to the board of trustees in the period:
Marie Bedford IFCCAI formally joined the board as the Finance Director after supporting Brass in Concert
Championship Ltd in an advisorylproject basis since late 2020. Gibson Booth Ltd continued to act as our
account3nts due to the experience they have of supporting organisations Within the brass band sertor.
The board was deeply saddened at the passing of Jacqueline (Jackie) Beere in Ottober 2022, a long time
Direttor of the company. wife of our Chairman Paul Beere and the administrative driving force behind the
Brass in Concert Championship since its inception in 1977. Tributes were paid to Jackie and her service to
Brass in cOn￿rt at various pLNnts of the 2022 festwal but notsbly by Houghton Youth Band whose musical
tributes will be long remembered.
During Paul Bee￿.$ absence from the board in 2022 David Bennett (Honorary President) acted as Interim
Chairman. The board would like to sincerely thank David for taking on these additional responsibilities
during thi5 difficult time.
Governance
The board has continued to hold both trustee and operational meetings on-line during this financial year
agreeing that it was continuing to deliver excellent results in conducting business effettively and in terms
of cost savings. On site meetings at Sage Gateshead were limited to two occasions in the period.
In Conclusi¢)n
This year was again notable fix the continuing successful delNery of the Brass in Concert Championship and
its associated Educational Programme at Sage Gateshead. This was only made possible through the
strengthening of the partnerships in place with our sponsors (World of Brass. Banks Group. Yamaha Music)
our Educational Projett partner {Music Partnership North) and our delivery partner {Brass Bands England).
The board have worked diligently throughout this financial year to continue the progress made in 2021 to
overcome multiple challenges in temis of much needed modernisation and reform to the way we manage
and deliver the festival. We now have signrficantly better financial management reporting, formal service
delivery contracts with our strategic partners which provide professional skills and advisory services to the
board. This continues to provide a firm foundation on which to build further sources of funding, build
appropriate reserves and ensure we remain connected and relevant to a changing brass band settor.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30 June 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
N C Stevens- Trustee
Page 6

INDEPENOENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
Independent examiner's report to the trustees ol The Brass In Concert Championship I'the Companv,)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended
31 January 2023.
Responsibilitie5 and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company land also its direttors for the purposes of company lawl you are
responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act
2006 {'the 2006 Act.).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of
the 2006 Att and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of your
charity's accounts as carried out under Section 14S of the Charities Act 20111.the 2011 Art,). In carrying out
my examination I have followed the Dirertions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145151 Ibl of
the 2011 Aci.
Page 7

INDEPENDEMT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
Independent examinerf5 ststement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with
the examination giving me cause to believe=
accounting records were not kept in respert of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006
Act: or
the accounts do Dot accord with those records: or
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other
than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as
part of an independent examination: or
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance wtth the methc¥ls and principles of the
Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to
charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in
the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 10211.
I have no cor¢cern5 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.
Scott Mell
Gibson Booth Limited
12 Victoria Road
Barnslev
South Yorkshire
570 288
Date:......
Jb k)L3
Page 8

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcnvmES
(INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENOITURE ACCOUNn
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
31.1.23
Unrestrirted
fund
31.1.22
Total
funds
Notes
INCOME AND ENt)OWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
22.249
42,998
Other trading activities
73.959
64,542
Totsl
96,208
107.540
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitsble artivities
Provision of events
86,512
61.666
INCOME
9.696
45,874
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
23.403
122,4711
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
33,099
23,403
The notes fonn part of these financial statements
Page 9

THE BIIASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
BALANCE SHEET
31 JANUARY 2023
31.1.23
Unrestrirted
fund
31.1.22
Totsl
funds
Notes
CURRENT ASSErs
Debtors
Cash at bank
1.298
35,656
7.041
20.263
36.954
27,304
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
(3,8551
13.9011
NET CURRENT ASSErs
33.099
23,403
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILMES
23,403
NET ASSETS
33.099
23,403
FUND5
Unrestritted funds
33,099
23,403
TOTAL FUNDS
33.099
23.403
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Sertion 477 of the Companies Act 2006
for the year ended 31 January 2023.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year
ended 31 January 2023 in accordance with Sertion 476 of the Companbes Act 2(K)6.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
lal
ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting record5 that comply with Sections 386 and
387 of the Companie5 Act 2LK16 and
preparing financial statements which give 3 true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable
company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in
accordance with the requirements of Settion$ 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the
requirements of the Companies Act 2CX]6 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the
charitable company.
Ibl
The note5 form part of these financial statements
Page 10
continued...

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
BALANCE SHEEf- continued
31 JANUARY 2023
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance wth the provisions applicable to charitable
companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30 June 2023
and were signed on its behalf by..
N C Stevens- Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 11

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANaAI sfATEMEKrs
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
ACCOUNTING POUCIES
Basis ot preparing the financial statem
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102,
have been prepared in accordance with the Charitie5 SORP IFRS 1021 'Accounting and Reporting by
Charities.. Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in
accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ire13nd IFRS
1021 (effective l January 2019)., Financial Reporting standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Companies ALt 2006. The financial statements
have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Signifiont judgements and estimates
No judgements have been made in the process of applying the below accounting policies that have
had the most significant effert on amounts recognised in the financial statements.
There are no key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimatlon uncertainty
at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying
amounts of a55ets and liabilitie5 Within the next financial year.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financi31 Activit￿5 once the tharity has entitlement to
the funds. it is probable that the income will be r￿p￿ed and the amount can be meaSu￿d ￿lIablY.
Expendlture
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there 15 a legal or constructive obligation
committing the charity to that expenditure. it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be
required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is
accounted for on an accruals basis and has been dassified under headings that aggregate all cost
related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have
been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resource5.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on tts charitable artivities.
Fund accounting
Unrestrirted funds can be used in accordance wtth the charitsble objectFves at the discretion of the
trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes Wfthin the objects of the charity.
Restrittions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are ra￿d for particular restrirted
purposes.
Further explanation of the natu￿ and purpose of each fund is induded in the r￿e5 to the financial
statements.
Page 12
continued...

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMErirs- continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
OTHER TRADING AcfiwnES
31.1.23
31.1.22
ricket and programme sales
Media and advertising
Sponsorship and streaming
Priie donations
School hub match funding
Coach parking
Performance lighting
Rehersal r￿M hire
45.854
1,975
22,780
1,500
500
100
1,200
40,352
2,085
19.405
1,500
100
1,100
73.959
64.542
TRUSfEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees. remuneration or other benefrts for the year ended 31 January 2023 nor for
the yearended 31January2022.
Trustees. expenses
The reimbursement of trustees expenses during the year was £1.56912022 - £4421.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALUNG DUE WttHIN ONE YEAR
31.1.23
31.1.22
Trade debtors
VAT
1,224
74
130
6,911
1298
7,041
Page 13
continued...

ThE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMEKfs- continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALUNG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.1.23
31.1.22
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
97
3.758
2,401
1,500
3,855
3.901
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement
in funds
At
31.1.23
At 1.2.22
Unrestricted funds
General tund
23A03
9.696
33,099
TOTAL FUNDS
23A03
9,696
33,099
Net movement in funds. included in the abtye are as follows:
Incoming
resource5
Resources
expended
Movement
in funds
Unrestrirted funds
General fund
96208
186.512)
9.696
TOTAL FUNDS
{86.512)
9.696
Comparatives for m¢wement in funds
Net
movement
in funds
At
31.1.22
At 1.2.21
Unrestrirted funds
General fund
{22.471)
45,874
23,403
TOTAL FUNDS
(22.471)
45.874
23,403
Page 14
continued...

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANaAL sfATEMEKfs- continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- ¢¢￿tinUed
Comparative net movement in funds. included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Movement
in funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
107.540
161.6661
45.874
TOTAL FUNDS
107,540
161.6661
45,874
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 month5 combined position is as follows:
Net
movement
in funds
At
31.1.23
At 1.2.21
Unrestrirted funds
General fund
122.471)
55,570
33,099
TOTAL FUNDS
(22.4711
55.570
33,099
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds. included in
the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Movement
in funds
Unre5trirted funds
General fund
203.748
(148,178)
55,570
TOTAL FUNDS
203.748
1148,1781
55.570
Page 15
continued...

THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENTS. tontinued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
RELATED PARTY DisaosuRES
During the year. the Twstees made donations to the charity totslling £Nil 12022- £37.8(XII.
During the year £l.l)W (2022 £1.(Xi)} was paid to Aruba 81ue Limited in re5pert of financial
management services. Ms M Bedford. Trustee, is abo a director of Aruba Blue Limited
Page 16