REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07129908 {England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1138309 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 FOR THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP Gibson Booth Limited 12 Victoria Road Barnsley South Yorkshire S70 2BB
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 Page Reference and Administrative Details Report of the Trustees Independent Examiner's Report 7 to 8 Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 10 to 11 Notes to the Financial Statements 12 to 16
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 TRUSTEES P R Beere Ms F Johnstone (resigned 18.4.241 H A Stephenson N C Stevens Ms M Bedford REGISTERED OFFICE 17 Montalbo Road Barnard Castle Co. Durham DL12 8BP REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 07129908 {England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1138309 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Gibson Booth Limited 12 Victoria Road Barnsley South Yorkshire 570 2BB Page I
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 202S The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 28 February 2025. 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 IFRS 102) (effective ljanuary 20191. OBJEcfivES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives 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 The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, formerly known as The Sage Gateshead. As at the end of the period the Brass in Concert organisation has successfully delivered 47 annual festivals and over recent 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 activities through showcasing the finest and World's highest ranked brass bands. Page 2
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 OBJEcfivES AND AcfiviTIES Significant activities The financial period 2024-2S was again a period where the board focused on the fast-changing landscape of brass band contests and events and how we as an organisation and charitable entity should respond to the evolving requirements and needs expected by our audiences, brass musicians, sponsors, and partners. Finding a balance between what has undoubtedly been the very successful festival delivery model of the past and maintaining the culture and heritage of the festival whilst also embracing the right exciting new opportunitie5 to safeguard this unique and vital part of the Brass Band calendar and ensuring it remains relevant and structured in both artistic, governance and financial terms for the long term has been central to our thinking and decision making throughout the period. Our careful consideration of the drivers that affect the decisions of our loyal but increasingly cost-conscious stakeholders who are still clearly sensitive to the rising cost of living, operational costs for the bands and commercial expenses for our sponsors has been essential. As stated in last year's report, the much higher hotel and travel costs to come to weekend festivals such as Brass in Concert has influenced audiences in being more choosey on which brass band events they will attend and our audience survey data is showing that patrons are evaluating which events are giving them the best experience for their money. From an audience perspective we have therefore made decisions in 2025 that focus on all aspects of their experience. From catering facilities to the schedule of the weekend and the artistic content, we continue to review each component from the audience's perspective. Similarly, the competing bands now have to consider the high costs of attending and performing compared to the other concerts and contests in their diaries whilst also recognising the enjoyment and satisfaction their playing members are getting from each performance. They are, in entertainment industry term5, "the stars of the show.. For the Brass in Concert board this has meant that we are continuously looking for ways to ensure that coming to the festival is not only memorable but aspirational for our performers both at the youth and elite level. Finally, our sponsors and funder5 3150 face many commercial pressures and options as to where they should place their brand, services, or support funding. To respond to this, we have ensured that sponsors are engaged on a true win-win basis ensuring we as a board are committed to regular dialogue with them on any and all activities that make Brass in Concert the right place for them to invest their resources. World of Bra55 {SATCoL) our principal partner, The Banks Group and Yamaha Music once again were front and central to our delivery and financial stability in 2025. The results of all the above and the resulting decisions the board has made ensured that 2025 was again a very successful year in the planned positioning of the event in terms of its future, it being seen as a flagship event in our sector and the steps we have taken to give it a firm foundation on which to build for the future. The evidence for this may not be seen at this point in the bottom-line financials, which show a broadly neutral year, but the board strongly believes the other measures that are vital to the health of the charity show resilience in a very difficult market. Our ticket sales remain incredibly strong,. our sponsors remain committed to long-term partnerships and the band5 that perform are showing increasingly that Brass in Concert is an event they want to perform at and be a part of. Page 3
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 OBJEcfivES AND AcfiviTIES Our educational projects and activities underwent a complete change of direction in 2025 as the decision not to continue with our Aspire programme took further effect. We had evaluated there was a greater need and legacy opportunity in reviving Youth Brass in Concert as the UK'S only entertainment contest for elite youth bands. It has also meant changing our focus by utilising our partnership with Brass Bands England to fund building resources that could be used on an ongoing basis in Schools as teaching aids in brass instrument tuition rather than Brass in Concert arranging performance activities at the festival itself. This change in strategy and the outcomes from the financial period being reported are still under review by the board. In specific terms all this translate5 to the festival being shaped with an ongoing pause in presenting a gala concert which is commercially high risk. We do, however, remain open to future creative formats for a gala concert that could be financially viable on a case-by-case basis. The Championship remains the highly successful centre piece for the weekend and the resurrection of Youth Brass in Concert on Sunday is proving to be a cornerstone of the weekend and vital for the longer-term future of brass banding in the UK. It is important to note that Youth Brass in Concert is only made possible through the close partnership we have with Glasshouse International Centre for Music who have helped to make thi5 commercially and financially viable. Box office sales were again excellent with approximately 1,500 in attendance for the Championship and 600 enthusiastic attendees for Youth Brass in Concert. The audience feedback process again delivered a good response rate that continues to give us improved data on which to continue to design and build the festival components, marketing approach and channels to ensure further success for the festival in the future. We continued to develop the new element of the festival introduced in 2022 of a festival party enabling players and audience to mingle and socialise and this increasingly gave a much more interactive setting for the formal results ceremony on the concourse areas where the musicians congregate. The seeded draw for the Championship continues to successfully stabilise audience numbers in the auditorium throughout the day. Finally, and significantly of note is the board's decision that for reasons of long-term risk reduction, financial underpinning, and long-term growth, that it is essential to look at a major review and overhaul of the governance of Brass in Concert Championship Ltd and the associated registered charity. This extends to the composition of the board and its close affiliation with Brass Bands England. The board has looked to engage suitable legal and financial advisors to SUPPOrt this review and has commenced discussions with Brass Bands England on the scope and rationale for it. It is planned that this review will be complete in a timescale to ensure that any resulting decisions and actions from it can be put forward as motion5 to the AGM for this accounting year. Page 4
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities The Bras5 in Concert Championship continues to provide 3 platform for the finest brass bands 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 presentations reflecting the most current and progressive form of the genre, designed to appeal to both the general listener and enthusiasts of the discipline alike. Our Youth and Education activities 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 brass or percussion instrument regardless of background albeit the focus has changed in the period from live performance to in class education support. We have continued to mature our connectivity with Brass Bands England (BBEI and successfully renewed and utili5ed the support SeiceS partnership for the delivery of project and event management, marketing, and artlStic advisory to Brass in Concert. This partnership agreement has been duly approved by the board and authorised by the CEO and all financial implications have been included in the 2024125 accounts and 2025/26 budgets by our Finance Director. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position It continues to be challenging to develop an event which can break even and start to generate surpluses to invest in the festival further. Since the pandemic we have continued to trial various options to find the most effective way forward, both artistically as well as financially. As stated in the final paragraph of the above 'Objectives & Activities" the board has taken steps in terms of a significant governance review to secure the festivals long term future. The board recognise that this is a critical step in being able to continue the development of the festival and to facilitate a multi-year approach looking at all the funding sources available to us. Grants received We would like to thank the following organisations for their support through the awarding of grants in the year: - The Barbour Foundation - The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust - The Durham Freemasons Charity - The Joicey Trust The Sir James Knott Trust The William Webster Charitable Trust Page 5
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 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. An appraisal of the Reserves plan will be beneficial alongside the overall Governance review which is in progress. We intend to use the reserves to invest in and develop the Brass in Concert Festival event over this time frame. The Board annually reviews the amount of reserves that are required to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil our continuing obligations. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Changes to the Board of Trustees There has been one change to the Board of Trustees in the year. Fiona Johnson resigned on 18 April 2024. Governance The board ha5 continued to hold both trustee and operational meetings online during this financial period, agreeing that it delivered excellent result5 in conducting bu5ine55 effectively and in terms of cost savings. On-site meetings at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead (formerly known as The Sage Gateshead) were limited to two occasions in the period. In Conclusion This period was again notable for the continuing successful delivery of the Brass in Concert Championship, and Youth Brass in Concert at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead. This was only made possible through the strengthening of the partnerships in place with our sponsors {WorSd of Brass, Banks Group, Yamaha Music) and our delivery partner (Brass Bands England). The board has worked diligently throughout this financial period to continue the progress made in 2024 and it looks forward to managing another very successful 48th Bras5 in Concert in 2025 whilst also initiating a sub committee to evaluate a broader festival for the event's 50th anniversary in 2027. Approved by order of the board of trustees on 31 July 2025 and signed on it5 behalf by.. N C Stevens- Trustee Page 6
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Brass In Concert Championship ('the Company'l I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 28 February 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company lawl you are responsible for the preparation of the account5 in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 20061'the 2006 Act'l. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145{51 (bl of the 2011 Art. Page 7
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP Independent examiner'5 statement 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 respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or the accounts do not 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 with the methods 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 102)). 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. SJknJ M Scott Mell Gibson Booth Limited 12 Victoria Road Barnsley South Yorkshire S70 2B8 Page 8
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 Period 1.2.23 to 29.2.24 Total funds Year Ended 28.2.25 Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted fund Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 9,598 7,000 16,598 11,390 Other trading activities Investment income 96.568 131 96,568 131 85,308 Total 106,297 113,297 96,700 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Provision of events 110,071 2,712 112,783 101,864 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 13,774) 4,288 514 (5,1641 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 27,935 27,935 33,099 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 24,161 4,288 28,449 27,935 The note5 form part of these financial statements Page 9
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP BALANCE SHEET 28 FEBRUARY 2025 28.2.25 Total funds 29.2.24 Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted fund Notes CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank 601 27,755 601 32,043 4,288 30,197 28,356 4,288 32,644 30,197 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year (4,195) (4,19S) (2,2621 CURRENT ASSETS 24,161 4,288 28,449 27,935 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 24,161 4,288 28,449 27,935 NET ASSETS 24,161 4,288 28,449 27,935 FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 24,161 4,288 27,935 TOTAL FUNDS 28,449 27,935 The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 28 February 2025. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for {a} ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and preparing financial statements which give a 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 Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. (b} The notes form part of these financial statements Page 10 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP BALANCE SHEET- continued 28 FEBRUARY 2025 These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 31 July 2025 and were signed on its behalf by: N C Stevens- Trust The notes form part of these financial statements Page 11
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PERIOD The reporting period is 12 months to 28 February 2025. The comparative figures relate to a 13 month period from l February 2023 to 29 February 2024. Therefore the comparatives figure are not wholly comparable to the new period. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparing the financial statements The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 '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 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 Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Significant judgements and estimates No judgements have been made in the process of applying the below accounting policies that have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements. There are no key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. Income All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is 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 classified 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 resources. Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objective5 at the discretion of the trustees. Page 12 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES- continued Fund accounting Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Period 1.2.23 to 29.2.24 Year Ended 28.2.25 Ticket and programme sales Media and advertising Sponsorship and streaming Hotellcatering sales Prize donations School hub match funding Coach parking Performance lighting 59,366 1,400 25,796 7,243 1,500 55,183 2,075 25,280 1,500 300 70 900 163 1,100 96,568 85,308 INVESTMENT INCOME Period 1.2.23 to 29.2.24 Year Ended 28.2.25 Deposit account interest 131 Page 13 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees, remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 28 February 2025 nor for the period ended 29 February 2024. Trustees, expenses The reimbursement of trustees expenses during the period was £3,18512024- £1,107). DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 28.2.25 29.2.24 Other debtors 601 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 28.2.25 29.2.24 Trade creditors VAT Accruals and deferred income 476 174 3,545 512 1,750 4,195 2,262 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement in funds At 28.2.25 At 1.3.24 Unrestricted funds General fund 27,935 (3,774) 24,161 Restricted funds Durham Feemasons 4,288 4,288 TOTAL FUNDS 27,935 514 28,449 Page 14 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund 106,297 (110.071) (3.774) Restricted funds Durham Feemasons (2,712) 4,288 TOTAL FUNDS 113,297 (112,783) 514 Comparatives for movement in funds Net movement in funds At 29.2.24 At 1.2.23 Unrestricted funds General fund 33,099 15,164} 27,935 TOTAL FUNDS 33,099 15,164) 27,935 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund 96,700 1101,864) 15,164) TOTAL FUNDS 96,700 (101,8641 15,1641 Page 15 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued Restricted funds Grants were received from Durham Freemasons Charity in order to help youngsters Within the province of Durham to achieve their potential through education and training. At 28 February 2025 £4,288 was unspent. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES During the year £1,000 {2024 £1,000) was paid to Aruba Blue Limited in respect of financial management services. Ms M Bedford, Trustee, is also a director of Aruba Blue Limited Page 16