Trustee Report - Amici Cantate 1[st] August 2024 to 31st July 2025
Structure and Organisation
Amici Cantate (Amici) registered with the Charity Commission on 19th November 2012; Registered Charity Number 1149824.
The management of Amici is in the hands of the Committee which consists of up to 8 and not less than 6 Committee Members all of whom are elected from within the membership. All Trustees are members of the Committee.
The current Trustees of Amici are as follows:
John Barry Kate Foxwell Maureen Hopkins Siobhan Nundrum Graeme Proudfoot Jane Watkins
It will be proposed at the AGM to broaden the number of permitted trustees to allow a range of 4-8 rather than 6-8
Activities and Objectives
The aims of Amici Cantate are:
-
i. To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals;
-
ii. To further such charitable purpose or purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit but in particular making grants and donations.
-
iii. To support the objectives of Cantate Youth Choir in view of the special relationship that exists between the two societies.
In light of the winding down of Cantate Youth Choir it will be proposed at the AGM that objective (iii) above is deleted from the Amici constitution.
Registered Charity Number 1149824
Achievements and Performance
In pursuit of the aims and objectives set out above Amici have participated in live rehearsal and performances, both themselves and in conjunction with other choirs locally in Bishops Stortford.
In the year under review, highlights included:
-
To close 2024 we sang the magnificent Mozart’s Requiem accompanied by professional soloists and full orchestra*
-
In March 2025, we sang a wonderful concert ‘Adiemus’ with our friends Thaxted Singers in the beautiful Thaxted Church.*
-
April brought the choir together for a residential weekend workshop, with 4 brilliant, unique music sessions, and a marvellous dinner followed by our own in house entertainment.
-
In May, Joanna Forbes L’Estrange came along and ran a full morning rehearsal of A Season to Sing.
-
June was the inaugural Thaxted Choral Festival, a lovely morning enjoyed by all and we were invited back to take part in 2026
-
June also featured our VE Day styled concert ‘With a Song in my Heart’ again supported by a professional soloist*
-
A month or two off for summer and it was business as usual in October where we had a great time participating in the Bishop’s Stortford Choral Festival – and yes, we are invited back next year! *
-
November introduced a new concept for Amici a lunch time mini concert – singing in fridge like conditions at Standon, but a wonderful concert which left the choir with rosy cheeks and glad hearts.
-
Straight after Standon the choir performed A Season to Sing attended by Joanna herself. There were many lovely comments of the event and one in particular, where a good friend said it was great to see a vibrant Amici clearly enjoying the experience.*
-
On into December where Amici sang carols in the awesome Chapel at Haileybury for the Isabel Hospice Carol Service, together with fine organ accompaniment and stunning acoustics (and sausage rolls and mulled wine)*
Registered Charity Number 1149824
- Amici’s final sing in December 2025 was singing once again for the ever encouraging and generous Masons
All of the events marked with an * also involved an element of raising funds for local charities.
Financial review
Turnover increased markedly compared with the prior year both through the holding of a weekend workshop and an ambitious scales concert performance of Mozart’s Requiem with professional soloists and an accompanying orchestra. With the latter concert income increased less than concert expenses and led to an overall result for the year of a small loss compared to a small surplus last year (-£628 compared to +£504). With the reserves with which we started the year the choir continues to be in good financial condition. A full and detailed report is available from the Treasurer.
The Trustees continue to pursue a conservative and careful policy in respect of investment of reserves, which are therefore held on deposit with our bankers.
The Trustees are available to discuss any matters of concern to the membership of Amici Cantate and welcome input from the membership.
Graeme Proudfoot On behalf of the Trustees.
Registered Charity Number 1149824
AMICI CANTATE
(Registered charity No 1149824)
STATEMENT OF INCOME & EXPENDITURE 1[ST] AUGUST 2024 TO 31 JULY 2025
| Income | Year ended | Year ended |
|---|---|---|
| 31.07.25 | 31.07.24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Members subscriptions | 9400 | 8447 |
| Hire/sale of music | 381 | 435 |
| Concert Income | 5205 | 3763 |
| Donations | 1158 | 300 |
| Gift Aid | 1418 | 1197 |
| Bank Interest | 172 | 176 |
| Bursary Fund | 0 | 45 |
| Workshop income | 12066 | 0 |
| Total Income | 29800 | 14363 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Professional Fees | 7876 | 7294 |
| Rehearsal venue hire | 1496 | 1628 |
| Concert expenses | 7342 | 3551 |
| Music/Folders hire and purchase | 380 | 680 |
| Donations | 0 | 125 |
| Insurance | 107 | 104 |
| Postage printing and stationery | 19 | 6 |
| Advertising | 30 | 0 |
| Performing Rights fees | 137 | 53 |
| Bank charges | 33 | 88 |
| Subscriptions | 353 | 198 |
| Workshop Expenses | 12074 | 0 |
| Bank Interest | 0 | 1 |
| Sundry expenses | 421 | 131 |
| Total Expenditure | 30268 | 13859 |
| Net proft (Loss) for the year | -468 | 504 |
Amici Cantate Current Assets
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Bank current account | 2339 | 4417 |
| Bank deposit account | 9522 | 9350 |
| Workshop Bank account | -10 | -2 |
| Petty Cash | 27 | 27 |
| Stock of music | 4671 | 4408 |
| Debtors | 1735 | 1324 |
| 18284 | 19524 | |
| Less Current Liabilities | ||
| Creditors | 176 | 948 |
| Net Current Assets | 18108 | 18576 |
| Reserves | ||
| Proft & Loss Account opening balance | 18576 | 18072 |
| Net proft/(loss) for the year | -468 | 504 |
| 18108 | 18576 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees Charity Name Amici Cantate On accounts for the year 31[st] July 2025 Charity no 1149824 ended (if any)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] July 2025.
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 accounts which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Signed: H Fitzjohn Name: Helen Fitzjohn Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 16 Beehive Road Goffs Oak EN7 5NL
Date: 28 April 2026
1
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
n/a
2