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2023-03-31-accounts

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 1 April 2022 10 31 March 2023 Charity name: The Bloomsbury Music Group Charity registraiion number: 1139541 Objectives and Activities SORP relÈrencÈ Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 The objects of Ihe Bloomsbury Music Group IBMGI are lo advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and apprecialion of, the art and science of music in all its aspects including through the resenlalion of ublic concerts and recilals. The benefils lo the public from Ihe Group fall into five calegories. 1. For participants, we involve wind players at all levels of compelence and experience in a ¢reative, enjoyable and fulf illing educational activity, providing them wlth opportunllles to develop ihelr instrumenlal technique and thelr understanding of Ihe musical repertolre for wind groups large and small. Summary of the main activilies in relalion lo those purposes for Ihe publi benefit, in particular, the activilies, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 and 1.19 The membership of both ensembles has remained consistent throughoul the year. The Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble IBWEI had 40-45 members and the Bloomsbury Band had around 20 members. A number of former Bloomsbury Band members also returned and played as part of the tenlh anniversary concert in May 2022. In London, where people come and go, we always expect a steady turnover of members which means that we provide opportunities for a substanlial number of people to develop Iheir playing skills on wind inslruments during each year. Polential members email us throughout Ihe year and they are usually put on a waiting list. The Group does nol audition for either ensemble. We generally recruit in the order

that people contact us. Potential new
members are invited to a trial rehearsal
which allows them to decide whether or not
they are suited to the music we play, the
style of the rehearsals and the character of
the membership.
Both ensembles rehearse on regular
evenings in Bloomsbury – the Bloomsbury
Band rehearse on Mondays and the
Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble rehearse
on Tuesdays. Over the year, the two groups
each held 40-45 rehearsals. During the April
2022 to March 2023 period, the Bloomsbury
Band changed their rehearsal venue from
Lumen to St Mary’s Church.
2. For ourselves, and for other wind
ensembles, we increase the repertoire of
music available by commissioning new
arrangements and original compositions.
The majority of music performed by the
Bloomsbury Music Group consists of
arrangements specially commissioned from
a large team of musicians. Our musical
directors contribute arrangements and so do
members of the Bloomsbury Band. Further
information is available on themusic section
of our website.
Between April 2022 and March 2023, the
Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble performed
two new compositions and two pieces
specially arranged for the ensemble:
•
The Infernal Train – composed for
the ensemble by former musical
director, Shea Lolin.
•
Murder on the Orient Express –
composed by Richard Rodney
Bennett and arranged for the
ensemble by Christopher Hussey.
•
The Chairman Dances – a chamber
piece for members of the ensemble,
composed by Shea Lolin for the
ensemble’s former chair, Andrew
Hunt.
•
Romance, from Vaughan Williams
Symphony No. 5 – transcribed for the
ensemble.

During the same time period, the Bloomsbury Band celebrated their 10[th] anniversary concert in May 2022, (which was delayed by 2 years because of Covid.)

The winter concert, held in December 2022, included three works commissioned from Jeremy Bridle by the Alexandra Palace Band

London and now arranged for the Band by the composer. Another highlight was Wassail! - an arrangement of traditional tunes by Roger Cawkwell who had also arranged the two pieces by Frank Bridge played earlier in the programme. The Spring concert, held in March 2023 with the theme of New Beginnings was held at our new venue, St. Mary's Church. This concert included a number of traditional pieces by European composers music of German origin to honour our new venue (St. Mary's Lutheran Church). 3. For audiences, we present exciting, innovative and high quality performances which should always be a pleasurable cultural experience, but will sometimes challenge them and educate them by extending their musical knowledge. From April 2022 to March 2023, the Bloomsbury Music Group presented six concerts. This included three concerts by the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble and three by the Bloomsbury Band. The Group planned a joint Christmas carols event at St Pancras Station in December 2022, however this unfortunately was cancelled due to railway strikes. See ‘Achievements and Performance’ below for more information on our performances. 4. We regularly organize concerts to raise money to support other charities. Our two ensembles also participate in community events that advance the wellbeing of local people. The Christmas carols event usually raises money for charity, but as mentioned above this was unfortunately cancelled. As a result, the Bloomsbury Music Group were unable to raise money for any charities during April 2022 to March 2023. However the Group will make up for this during the April 2023 to March 2024 period. 5 In addition to the public educational benefits mentioned above, the Trustees are committed to ensuring that the Society’s activities are affordable, and so concessionary rates are available for both membership subscriptions and audience tickets. Any member with financial difficulties can privately discuss a special reduced subscription arrangement with the Treasurer.

The principle of offering concessionary rates
was applied to membership subscriptions
and concert tickets. Special arrangements
were made, in confidence, to help a very
small number of individual members.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 In carrying out the duties, the Trustees of the
Bloomsbury Music Group have had regard to
the guidance on public benefit issued by the
Charity Commission.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 The charity does not give grants.
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment		 Para 1.38 Social investments are not included among
the activities of the charity.
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 The charity is run by volunteers drawn from
its membership.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.		 Para 1.20 The Bloomsbury Music Group organised and
performed six concerts between April 2022
and March 2023. At these concerts, the
members and musical directors of the two
ensembles shared their enthusiasm for a
range of musical styles with a public facing
audience.
Concerts are promoted and tickets are
available on BMG’swebsiteandFacebook
page.These two platforms also helps people
decide whether to join the Group and keeps
members and the public well informed about
the activities of the two ensembles.
A summary of the events organised by the
Bloomsbury Music Group are summarised
below:
Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble
concert (14 May 2022)
This was Michael McGowan’s first concert
as BWE’s new musical director. The
programme featured a range of
compositions inspired by or related to trains.
The programme included:
•
Premiere of a new work composed
by Shea Lolin (BWE’s former musical
director) – The Infernal Train
•
Pacific 231 by Arthur Honegger
•
Three Southern Sketches by James
Rae
•
An arrangement for the ensemble of
Richard Rodney Bennett’s Murder on
the Orient Express
Bloomsbury Band concert (21 May 2022)
BB’s tenth anniversary concert featured new
works as well as favourites from the
ensemble’s first decade. Roger Cawkwell
who has been a very good friend of the
Band. He arranged two of the items played
in the first half of the concert: Overture from
Mozart's_Magic Flute_and Gournod's
Marionette's Funeral March. The Band also
premiered his new composition_Mirror Maze._
Another work that received its premiere at
this concert was_Écoutez_by Jenni Pinnock
which was played during the first half of the
concert.
Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble

bandstand concert (24 July 2022) BWE returned to Victoria Park under the direction of Greg Waters, who covered while BWE’s musical director was away. The ensemble performed a variety of popular tunes, including:

Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble concert (26 November 2022)

The ensemble performed works that focused on the idea of transformations. The programme introduced the audience to music written primarily after the 19[th] century, including:

Bloomsbury Band concert (3 December 2022)

The winter concert included vocal and saxophone solos by members of the ensemble who usually play clarinet and flute. The programme included further arrangements for the ensemble including:

•
Wassail! - an arrangement of
traditional tunes by Roger Cawkwell
Bloomsbury Band concert (25 March
2023)
This was the ensemble’s first concert at their
new rehearsal venue, St Mary’s Lutheran
Church and so the theme for the concert
was ‘New Beginnings’. To honour the new
venue, BB performed music of German
origin as well as a number of other European
composers, including:
•
Movement 1 from J.S. Bach's
Brandenburg Concerto No.3
•
Beethoven's Alla Danza Tedesca
•
Grieg’s (The Ravens’ Wedding in
Kråkalund and three Norwegian
Legends) Smetana’s (themes from
Vltava / die Moldau)
•
Jeremy Bridle’s Together –
composed for the ensemble

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against
objectives set		 Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 Para 1.41 The charity does not engage in fundraising
apart from putting on charity concerts as
described above.
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41 The charity has no investments.
Other

Financial Review

inancial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 Our income during this period was
approximately £32,422 and our expenditure
was £21896. We were therefore able to
replenish our reserves, giving reserves at
the end of the period of about £13500.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 Trustees normally maintain a modest
reserve equivalent to about 20% of annual
expenditure in the Bloomsbury Music
Group’s bank account. Reserves this year
are greater due to the unexpected Orchestra
Tax Relief uplift to 50%. We plan to use
some of this increased surplus for events
during 2023-2024.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £13,500
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 Not applicable
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 Not applicable
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 The charity is confident that it will continue to
thrive.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)
Para 1.47
The main income of the charity comes from
members’ subscriptions with the associated
gift-aid. Further contribution come from
Orchestra Tax Relief (paid by HMRC to the
company, BMG Productions Limited) and
ticket sales at concerts.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted
Para 1.46
The charity does not make investments.
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity
Para 1.46
Maintaining a full membership of both
ensembles is crucial to the financial health of
the charity. The large population of London
means that recruitment has not been a
problem throughout the life of the charity but
this is an issue that the trustees attend to
carefully. Any changes to Gift Aid or
Orchestra Tax Relief policies could have a
significant impact but not big enough to
imperil the stability of the charity.
Other		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)
Para 1.47
The main income of the charity comes from
members’ subscriptions with the associated
gift-aid. Further contribution come from
Orchestra Tax Relief (paid by HMRC to the
company, BMG Productions Limited) and
ticket sales at concerts.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted
Para 1.46
The charity does not make investments.
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity
Para 1.46
Maintaining a full membership of both
ensembles is crucial to the financial health of
the charity. The large population of London
means that recruitment has not been a
problem throughout the life of the charity but
this is an issue that the trustees attend to
carefully. Any changes to Gift Aid or
Orchestra Tax Relief policies could have a
significant impact but not big enough to
imperil the stability of the charity.
Other		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)
Para 1.47
The main income of the charity comes from
members’ subscriptions with the associated
gift-aid. Further contribution come from
Orchestra Tax Relief (paid by HMRC to the
company, BMG Productions Limited) and
ticket sales at concerts.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted
Para 1.46
The charity does not make investments.
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity
Para 1.46
Maintaining a full membership of both
ensembles is crucial to the financial health of
the charity. The large population of London
means that recruitment has not been a
problem throughout the life of the charity but
this is an issue that the trustees attend to
carefully. Any changes to Gift Aid or
Orchestra Tax Relief policies could have a
significant impact but not big enough to
imperil the stability of the charity.
Other		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)
Para 1.47
The main income of the charity comes from
members’ subscriptions with the associated
gift-aid. Further contribution come from
Orchestra Tax Relief (paid by HMRC to the
company, BMG Productions Limited) and
ticket sales at concerts.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted
Para 1.46
The charity does not make investments.
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity
Para 1.46
Maintaining a full membership of both
ensembles is crucial to the financial health of
the charity. The large population of London
means that recruitment has not been a
problem throughout the life of the charity but
this is an issue that the trustees attend to
carefully. Any changes to Gift Aid or
Orchestra Tax Relief policies could have a
significant impact but not big enough to
imperil the stability of the charity.
Other
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)		 Para 1.47 The main income of the charity comes from
members’ subscriptions with the associated
gift-aid. Further contribution come from
Orchestra Tax Relief (paid by HMRC to the
company, BMG Productions Limited) and
ticket sales at concerts.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46 The charity does not make investments.
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46 Maintaining a full membership of both
ensembles is crucial to the financial health of
the charity. The large population of London
means that recruitment has not been a
problem throughout the life of the charity but
this is an issue that the trustees attend to
carefully. Any changes to Gift Aid or
Orchestra Tax Relief policies could have a
significant impact but not big enough to
imperil the stability of the charity.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document Para 1.25 Constitution
How is the charity
constituted?		 Para 1.25 Society
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 Appointed as committee members by
election at the Annual General Meeting of
members.
Additional information (optional) Additional information (optional) Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity has detailed guidance
documents for new trustees. In this small
Policies and procedures charity, other induction and training is carried
adopted for the induction and Para 1.51 out on a one-to-one basis with the more
training of trustees experienced members of the BMG
Committee.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
training of trustees
Para 1.51
The charity has detailed guidance
documents for new trustees. In this small
charity, other induction and training is carried
out on a one-to-one basis with the more
experienced members of the BMG
Committee.		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
training of trustees
Para 1.51
The charity has detailed guidance
documents for new trustees. In this small
charity, other induction and training is carried
out on a one-to-one basis with the more
experienced members of the BMG
Committee.		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
training of trustees
Para 1.51
The charity has detailed guidance
documents for new trustees. In this small
charity, other induction and training is carried
out on a one-to-one basis with the more
experienced members of the BMG
Committee.		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
training of trustees
Para 1.51
The charity has detailed guidance
documents for new trustees. In this small
charity, other induction and training is carried
out on a one-to-one basis with the more
experienced members of the BMG
Committee.
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
training of trustees		 Para 1.51 The charity has detailed guidance
documents for new trustees. In this small
charity, other induction and training is carried
out on a one-to-one basis with the more
experienced members of the BMG
Committee.
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51 In the period covered by this report the
Group ran two wind ensembles:
•
The Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble
(BWE), founded in 1993 for about 45
adult amateur players of flute, clarinet,
oboe, bassoon and saxophone.
•
The Bloomsbury Band of flutes and
clarinets (BB), formed in 2010 for about
25 adult players in response to the
growing demand for opportunities to
play from players of these two popular
wind instruments.
The charity is overseen by the members of
the Bloomsbury Music Group committee.
Separate committees of volunteers work
with the two music directors to manage the
operations of the two ensembles.
Relationship with any related
parties		 Para 1.51 Not applicable
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name The Bloomsbury Music Group
Other name the charity uses -
Registered charity number 1139541
Charity’s principal address Tower Mill
Newchurch
Romney Marsh
Kent
TN29 0EB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body)
entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Andrew Hunt BMG & BWE Chair Until June 2022
Christopher
Woodroofe		 BMG Chair From June 2022
Liz Watson BB Chair
Colin Izod BWE Chair From June 2022
Sarah Kirk BMG Treasurer
Ann George BMG Secretary Until June 2022
Clare Thompson BMG Secretary From June 2022

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of
adviser
Name
Address		 Type of
adviser
Name
Address		 Type of
adviser
Name
Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Musical Directors: Michael McGowan (BWE) and David Morris (BB).

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Clare Thompson Full name(s) Clare Thompson Position (eg Secretary, Secretary Chair, etc) Date 14/01/24

BMG Accounts April 2022 to March 2023 Combined accounts lor Bloomsbury Music Group and BMG Productions Ltd April 2022 £3.265.49 ay June Juty August September October November December January February March Year lo dale total 2023 t7.708.68 £13.338.19 £17,169.79 216,744.21 213,701.63 £12.609.72 £13.904.17 £13.710.37 Opening Balance £6,282.15 £11.520.83 210,183.28 INCOME Event Sales Event DonalK)ns Gift Aid Receipts Bank Interest Members Subs Others 10.00 0.00 1182.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 85.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 690.00 0.00 444.85 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 212.00 0.00 £2,6ZJ.90 £0.00 0.00 3212.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 £3,212.08 £0.00 E20,281.00 £6,304.56 0.00 3262.50 0.00 0.00 3229.50 0.00 0.00 97.50 0.00 0.00 52.50 0.00 0.00 345.00 6104.56 0.00 4970.00 0.00 0.00 802.00 0.00 0.00 152.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4266.00 200.00 0.00 584.00 0.00 0.00 2520.00 0.00 TOTAL INCOME £3.272.50 £7.623.63 £97.50 £137.50 £6.449.56 £4.970.00 t802 00 £842.00 2444.85 £4.466.00 £584.00 £2.732.00 E32,421.54 EXPENDITLIRE MD Fees MD Expenses sic PurchaseslArrangernents Relreshmenls Rehearsal Premises Costs Event Venue Hire Other Event Costs Chanly donation Bank charges Finance costs Others 255.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.84 0.00 510.00 0.00 150.00 0.00 565.00 750.00 334.02 0.00 9.10 25.85 40.98 1197.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 BO.00 0.00 8.05 0.00 150.00 765.00 0.00 50.00 0.00 1020.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.10 0.00 768.00 467.00 52.70 293.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.35 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1060.00 0.00 55.87 0.00 13.30 9.23 0.00 799.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 325.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.70 0.00 95.88 722.50 0.00 60.00 57.35 1775.00 662.00 180.00 0.00 8.40 19.33 400.00 1045.10 0.00 75.00 31.00 0.00 0.00 371.81 0.00 331.10 0.00 200.00 0.00 1870.00 450 80.70 0.00 9.80 6.95 223.00 748.00 0.00 20.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.80 0.00 0.00 1453.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 990.00 0.00 188.00 0.00 9.10 £8,292.80 £52.70 £848.00 £88.35 £7,605.00 £1,862.00 £1,290.40 £0.00 £101.15 £77.85 £1,677.86 0.00 0.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURE £255.84 22.384.95 21.435.05 £2,612.10 £820.05 11.138.40 21.227 58 £3,884.58 £1,536.76 £3.171.55 £T17.80 12.651.45 £21,896.11 clo￿ng Balance t6,282.15 211,520.83 t10.183.28 £7,708.68 213.338.19 t17.169.79 t16,744.21 213,701.63 212,609.72 £13.904.17 £13.710.37 t13.790.92 213.790.92 BANK RECONCILiITION OB 614122 CB 1928.46 210,422.90 1337.03 21,097.93 CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB Bank b￿all￿- BMG Bank b￿all￿ BMG Productions 7370.4 2812.88 4339.9 3368.78 4684.9 8653.29 9645.67 7524.12 10351.79 6392.42 10607.11 3094.52 10986.35 21,623.37 10222.4 3681.71 10806.4 t2.903.97 10.527.15 3.263.TT 3265.49 £0.00 11520.83 £0.00 10183.28 £0.00 7708.68 £0.00 13338.19 £0.00 17169.79 20.00 16744.21 £0.00 13701.63 £0.00 12609.72 £0.00 13904.17 20.00 13710.37 £0.00 13790.92 £0.00 D￿erence

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustsesl members of Bloomsbury Music Group On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 Charity no {rfany) 1139541 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above thanty ("Ihe Trust.) for the year ended 31103r2023. Responsibilities ar￿ As the charrty trust*s of the Trust. ytyj are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Acl 2011 (Ihe Acl"). I report in resped of my examination of the Trust's accounts cartied out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying oul my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charty Commission under sectton 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have comp￿ted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination whith gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect" accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examinerfs statement I have no concerns and have come across rK) Other matters in connection wrth the examinalion to which attention should trR drawn in order to enable prOp￿r understanding of the accounts to be read￿. Signed- 2023 Name: Michael John Wintert>um Relevant professional quallfication(s) or body (rf any>: Addfess: 58 Lammas Park Road L￿don W5 5JB IER October 2018