THE EASTER ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ending 31Bt December 2023 Charity Name and Number Easter Orchestral Society Charity number: 1153970 Principal Registered Contart Easter Orchestral Society, clo 72 Cranley Gardens, London N10 3AJ
Trustees at 31st December 2023 Quentin Maxwell-jackson Calum Kennedy Paul Dyson John Best Chair Secretary Brass representstive Treasurer Philip Austin Greg Place Jennifer Davies Librarian Assisiant librarian Assisiant secretary Committee member Daniel Regan Structurei governance and management of the charity Governing document Constitution. How the charity is constituted Association. Trustee selection The Committee of the Orchestra is eletted by members of the society at the annual AGM. All committee members are required to be trustees. 4. Additional governance issues The society is governed by its Constitution as amended at the AGM held on 30th May 2021. The management of the society is undertaken by the Committee/Board of Trustees which is responsible for all matters of administration and management. The trustees meet at least twice a year There were no serious incidents that require reFrf)rting.
Summary of the Objects of the charity The objects of the society are to advance, improve, develop and maintsin public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all of its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of the annual rehearsal orchestral programme providing instruction in orchestral playing. Non-playing members are also welcome. Summary programmes undertaken by the Easter Orchestral Society The societys main activity is the provision of an annual residential orchestral programme which is open to applications from experienced and able orchestral instrument players. The trustees engage a Musical DIttOr, Assistant Musical Direttor and Leaders of the Orchestra who are professional musicians. The aim is to achieve a high standard of orchestral playing within a supportive and fun environment. The week-long programme is held during the Easter holidays and the final informal run- through session is open to the public, at no cos¢ to further enhance the objectives of the society. The society also holds, in the autumn of each year, a Brass Ensemble weekend for a limited number of players. The trustees are committed to equal opportunities and provide several fully funded scholarships, 500/0 bursaries and reduced subscriptr'ons for players under 30 for the annual residents-al week. Summary of achievements The annual Easter Orchestra week took place from 31 March to 6 April 2023. The Brass Weekend took place 27 ottober - 29 October 2023. Both were held at Ellesmere College in Shropshire. Financial summary (figures rounded to the nearest £1) The Society received income of £4,933 (plyr £7,318) in sundry donations and Gift Aid claims from the previous year. The total surplus generated was £5,360 (plyear £6,634). The society held funds of £60,354 (plyr £57,591) at the year end, of which member fees paid in advance was £13,610 (plyr £16,136). The level is sufficient to cover several yearfs deficit if recruitment should fall significantly and any cancellation fees which May be incurred. The trustees regularly review planning and reseprfe wlicy.
All expenditure is used solely to fijrther the objectives of the society in the hire of venues, printed music, professional musicians and instrument hire as required for each annual programme. Expenditure and income is detailed in the annual accounts available with this report at the Charities Commission website. Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the Tnjstees. Annual Report. Quentin Maxwell-Jack4on Chair Date: Xjuly 2024 zG/p/z
EASTER ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY
| Income and Expenditure for the year ended Income note |
Income and Expenditure for the year ended Income note |
31-Dec-23 | 31-Dec-22 | 31-Dec-22 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easter week Apr-23 Brass weekend Nov-23 |
||||||
| Total course members | 85 | 17 | 83 | 16 | ||
| Subscriptions Donations # 1 Gift Aid Interest on savings account Other income |
41,943.00 3,820.00 585.00 0.00 4,100.10 248.30 1,200.68 20.38 47,849.16 4,068.30 |
|||||
| 37,739.50 | 3,200.00 | |||||
| 3,151.74 | 50.00 527.51 |
|||||
| 3,589.11 | ||||||
| 180.37 | ||||||
| 5.00 | ||||||
| 44,665.72 | 3,777.51 | |||||
| 48,443.23 | ||||||
| TOTAL INCOME | 51,917.46 | 48,443.23 | ||||
| Expenditure Course accomodation Music hire and expenses MD fees Assistant MD fee Leader’s fee Instrument hire Other fees and expenses Other course costs # 2 Making Music sub & insurance Brochure, website and marketing Other committee expenses # 3 Secretary’s expenses Other expenses |
33,051.80 2,529.00 3,786.91 373.10 1,650.00 450.00 1,550.00 1,150.00 500.00 350.00 532.62 634.00 0.00 43,205.33 3,352.10 |
|||||
| 30,102.22 | 2,805.00 | |||||
| 2,333.98 | 246.92 | |||||
| 1,500.00 | 0.00 | |||||
| 1,400.00 | ||||||
| 1,000.00 | ||||||
| 375.00 440.00 550.00 270.00 586.26 0.00 |
||||||
| 38,557.46 | 3,051.92 | |||||
| 41,609.38 | ||||||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 46,557.43 | 41,609.38 | ||||
| Surplus on the year, per activity | 4,643.83 716.20 |
|||||
| 6,108.26 | 725.59 | |||||
| 6,833.85 | ||||||
| TOTAL SURPLUS | 5,360.03 | 6,833.85 |
Notes
Donations
Donations # 1 Members donatiions help to offset the cost of scholarship places. The 2022 figure was boosted by several members who donated their fees after being unable to attend due to covid or other reasons. The 2022 figure also includes donations to Maggie Holter's leaving collection. Other course costs # 2 Purchase of additional sound baffles Committee expenses # 3 2022 figure includes gifts for Maggie Holter, mostly covered by donations as noted above
EASTER ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY
Statement of Net Assets
| Barclays current account Savings account (Barclays) Savings account (Saffron BS) Total bank balances Deduct Income in advance Other creditors Add Payments in advance Net Assets Add surplus for the year to 31-Dec-23 Net Assets |
Carried forward 31-Dec-23 |
Brought forward 01-Jan-23 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,555.16 3,037.62 48,761.44 60,354.22 (13,610.00) (660.00) 3,025.00 bfwd 49,109.22 cfwd |
1,993.01 8,000.00 47,598.38 |
||
| 57,591.39 | |||
| (16,136.00) (610.00) 2,903.80 |
|||
| 43,749.19 | |||
| 5,360.03 | |||
| 49,109.22 | 49,109.22 |
EASTER ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY
Treasurer's report for the year ended 31st December 2023
2023 was an excellent year for the society with an orchestra of 86 players and a full Brass weekend course (17 players up from 16 last year).
| Strings incl leader winds horns & brass percussion & harps paying members, (bursaries = 0.5) |
2023 58 12 11 +4 guests 5 +1 guest 86 73.5 |
2022 54 12 12 6 |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | ||
| 73.0 | ||
The Income and Expenditure account again has a healthy surplus for the year of £5,360, with Gift Aid and donations of £5,523. The increase in bank rate provided interest earnings of £1,200.
Cost increases are pretty much as budgeted - professional fees increase in line with inflation, and a much increased spend on music hire in line with the budget for increasingly varied repertoire.
At December 2023 we are holding advance subscriptions of £13,610 which brings the total cash
reserves to £60,354, an increase of £2,763.
This level of reserves means we are able to continue the programme of scholarships and to introduce the bursary scheme for under-30 year olds; to make the course attractive to new as well as returning members; and to offer a musically and socially rewarding week of playing.
John Best Treasurer March 2024
A note on budgeting and settings subscription levels.
We have traditionally based the budget on 65 paying members to allow a cushion against a lower sign-up and unforeseen costs. This means the surplus is boosted when membership rises above that number.
Given the surpluses made in recent years and the actual number of paying members (shown above) remaining at a higher level we have amended the budgeted number to 71 for 2024. With anticipated accomodation cost increases in the pipeline and our continued commitment to keeping subscription increases to the minimum feasible we expect the 2024 and 2025 results to be closer to breakeven.
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Easter Orchestral Society
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act)
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act)
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met, or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Richard Mansfield
25 Ridgeway Gardens London N6 5XR
- 15[th] March 2024
Signed