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CIO 1154435
Trustees’ Report
1.1.23 – 31.12.23
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies and comply with the charity’s constitution and applicable law.
Administration details
The principal address of the charity is currently 16 Coombe Rise, Shenfield, Brentwood, CM15 8JJ.
The Trustees – Elected at AGM/EGM
Michelle Arthur Chairman Marjolein Hillman Secretary Phil Holmes Treasurer, Website and Ticket Sales Matthew Butt Concert Manager Annabel Malton Librarian Julia Dimon Trustee
Chris Bradbury stood down as a Trustee in April 2023.
The management committee
The Trustees and Hilary Punnett.
Accounts Adviser
Barbara Rose
Structure, governance and management
The Stondon Singers were registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1 November 2013 and is governed by a constitution adopted with amendments on 9 September 2014. Trustees are elected at each Annual General Meeting to serve until the close of the next Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election.
Objectives
The objectives of The Stondon Singers are to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in the appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all its aspects by the presentation of public choral concerts and by such other ways as members, through the Trustees, shall determine from time to time.
Activities
The Stondon Singers is a mixed chamber choir, currently resident at the Church of the Ascension with All Saints, in Maltese Road, Chelmsford. The choir enjoys considerable critical acclaim and performs several concerts a year. Although initially formed to sing the music of William Byrd, the choir of about 25 singers now performs a wide-ranging repertoire, whilst remaining committed to choral music of the Renaissance. The requirements for prospective new members are: good sightreading skills, sufficient confidence to hold a line with only a small number of singers and the opportunity to work on the music at home. There is an informal audition for all new members and voice reviews may be conducted from time to time for the whole choir. Weekly rehearsals take place in the Church of the Ascension with All Saints, in Maltese Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2PB on Tuesday evenings, 7.45-10.00 p.m.
The success of The Stondon Singers is underpinned by a committed membership with a range of musical expertise, a professional Director of Music and the support of Patrons and Friends. The choir is accordingly able to undertake exciting and ambitious choral programmes.
Achievements and Performance
For the period covered by this report The Stondon Singers had planned to perform five concerts and a joint Evensong and to host an open rehearsal. The conductor and committee aimed to devise interesting programmes blending familiar works with those which are less well known. Our first open rehearsal for prospective members was a success and resulted in several new members joining.
Concerts
18 March 2023, 7.30 pm, ‘Songs of Farewell’, Church of St Michael and All Angels, Galleywood . 22 April 2023, 1.10 pm, Joint Lunch Concert with the Cathedral Consort, Lincoln Cathedral . 4 July 2023, 8.00 pm, ‘William Byrd 400[th] Anniversary Concert’, Church of SS Peter & Paul, Stondon Massey.
7 November 2023, 8.00 pm, ‘Wit and Wisdom’ , Church of St Michael and All Angels, Galleywood . 19 December 2023, 8.00 pm, ‘Christmas at Blackmore’, The Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore.
Events
22 April 2023, 5.30 pm, Joint Evensong with the Cathedral Consort, Lincoln Cathedral . 12 September 2023, 7.45 pm, Open Rehearsal, Church of the Ascension with All Saints, Chelmsford.
Public benefits
The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance in deciding on the activities the choir undertakes. Activities for the public benefit can be demonstrated by: maintenance of a website
the provision of detailed programme notes for each concert and / or an explanation of the works by the conductor
discounted subscriptions for under 25s and tickets at reduced prices for children lending of music to other choirs
participating in events organised by Brentwood Arts Council
providing a choir for weddings and funerals as requested
commissioning and performing the work of contemporary composers
Financial review
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the choir. Finances are discussed at all meetings. This enables the Trustees to ascertain the financial position of the choir and to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities legislation. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The choir finances itself by membership contributions, payable on a termly or annual basis and agreed at an annual general meeting, and concert proceeds from sales of tickets and programmes. Other sources of income include:
Gift aid from donations and from members’ contributions
Contributions from patrons
One-off donations from individuals to sponsor a particular event or commission a work for the choir. Any surplus from workshops run by the choir
Revenue from hiring out music to other choirs
Revenue from weddings
The choir’s direct income funds the full cost of running the choir and makes a contribution towards covering the net cost of concerts in the event of a loss.
Income for the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 totalled £7,776.62 Expenditure amounted to £9,184.17
Deficit for the year was £1,407.55
On 31 December 2023
The Stondon Singers had a cash balance of £20,817.13 Held in the following accounts: National Westminster Bank £1,917.68 The Co-operative Bank £18,899.45
Both the COIF Account and the Virgin Charity Account were closed in 2023 and the balances were transferred to the NatWest account and the Co-operative account respectively.
A summary of the accounts is shown in Appendix 1.
Reserves Policy
Reserves are held to help fund major concerts and to acquire and maintain assets.
Risk management
The Trustees have a responsibility to identify, assess and manage risks. They keep abreast of legislation which might affect charities through the Charities Commission website and through the “Making Music” organisation to which the choir is affiliated. They ensure that the choir complies with copyright and performing rights laws. The choir’s insurance is arranged through “Making Music”.
Policies
The choir has policies regarding: Vetting, Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Data Protection. Policies are reviewed annually and current policies may be viewed on the choir’s website: www.stondonsingers.org.uk.
Future plans
9 March 2024, 7.30 pm, ‘Lifting the veil’, Church of St Mary and St Lawrence, Great Waltham. 2 July 2024, 8.00 pm, ‘William Byrd Anniversary Concert’, Church of SS Peter & Paul, Stondon Massey.
12 November 2024, 8.00 pm, ‘Cardoso Requiem’ , Church of the Ascension with All Saints, Chelmsford.
17 December 2024, 8.00 pm, ‘Christmas at Blackmore’, The Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore.
Approved by the Trustees
Stondon Singers- Summary of Accounts 1/112023 - 3111212023 CIO 1154435 Income 2023 2022 Ex enditure 2023 2022 Members, conrributions 2,795.00 420.IXI 1,357.67 202.95 2,875.IX) 3,252.52 Conductor 720.00 Venue Office expenses 105.49 Other 1.350.00 Mu5ician5 228.00 Inte1 Drinks Music 5,700.00 4,238.96 I71.50 1,638.37 22.40 575.86 415.65 275.00 1,250.00 213.10 21.00 332.25 258.98 187.46 23.00 Patrons, donations Gift Aid Music Hire ricket sales Donations Interval Drinks Bank interest 41.02 5.78 PrirTrtin¥ AdvertÈslng Totals 7.776.62 5,661.79 9,184.17 7W5.36 Sur lus Deflcft -1,407.55 -2,183.57 Funds Held 12 Natwest 1,917.68 849.38 18,899.45 13,322.40 599.41 7,453.49 20,817.13 22,224.68 Co-op Coif Virgin Total Signed P Holmes- Treasurer Signed B Rose- Examiner