Year 2024
Blackdowns Early Music Projects
Charity Number: 1156177
Report by the Trustees
2024 was another exciting year for Blackdowns Early Music. Our financial position over the year improved by almost £3,000 after three separate performances.
We were delighted to host the first UK performance by the Basle based Phaedrus; they focussed on the remarkable music of the court of Henry VIII playing on a selection of old renaissance flutes, which proved most rewarding for our enthusiastic audience. We also welcomed a solo performance by Jamie Akers on baroque guitar and lute, a tour de force.
Without a doubt it was the residential choral even “Laudate Dominum” which brought us closer than ever to our ideals of “advancing the education of the public in the appreciation and practice of early music” . Alongside Palestrina’s Laudate motet was the most extraordinary musical creation by Orlando Lassus describing the twelve prophecies of Sibyl. Composed before 1600, this was the most progressive and experimental music of the renaissance with new harmonic structures and contrapuntal techniques that influenced later generations. It may well have been the first UK performance of all movements of this strange work.
Once again it was rewarding to share the performance with musicians just emerging from music college, giving colour to performances as well as a rare performing experience to up & coming musicians.
Audiences for each event were good and costs were well co trolled. In summary BEMP can look forward with funding over £11,600 in 2025 and beyond.
19th October 2025
Signed by Managing Trustee: Geoffrey Bass
Signed remotely by Trustees: Roger Williams, Malcolm Plastow & Alison Baily
BLACKDOWN EARLY MUSIC PROJECT Proflt and loss and Balance Sheet- 31 December 2024 2024 2023 Turnover Cost of Sales Gross protit Administrative expenses Operatin8 proflt Proflt for the perfod 14.171 (11.124) 28,341 122,9301 5,411 12671 5,144 5,144 (971 2,951 2,951 Current assets Cash at bank and In hand 11,726 8,851 Credltors . amounts falling due within one year (751 { 1501 Net Current assets 11.651 8,701 Net assets 11,651 ,701 Capital and reserves Profit and loss account 8,701 2,951 3,557 5,144 Shareholdersfunds 11,652 8,701 Signed: Asl 17/9ia£ Jane Alagappa ACA