The Fourth Choir: Trustees, Annual Report For the P￿10a I September 2024 to 31 Augusc 2025 Chair's Report This report covets our thirteenth year as The Fourth Choir (Registered Charity Number.. 1156769) and our twelfth full reponing period as a Charitable Incorporated Or8anisation Icto). Following our milestone iellth anniversary season. 202k25 has been a year of concinued artistic growth and increased ititernational reach under Ihe musical leadership of Jamie Powe. We began the season With a notable milestone achievement: our debut performance at the BBC Prom5 in September 2024. As one of six choirs forning a 'super choir, for Handel's Messiah. thi5 perfornianc broadcast live on BBC Radio 3-was a significant moment in OUT mission to bring visibility to LGBTQ+ Yoices at the heart of the UK'S classical music establishrnent. Having completed the recording of our debut fijll-length atbunl. Sojigs oFOutseJves. a core strategic goal for this year was to secure the album's long-terni legacy and we were delighted to Success￿11Y sign a distribution deal with Orchid Classics during this period. This partnership ￿th a widely respected speciatist label unlocks global professional distribution and marketing, supporting our mission to educate the public through the promotion of diverse choral works. Another significant highlight of our artistic ouiput was our staging of a musically-integiated version of James Joyce's $hott story The Deadat Wilton's Music Hall. the world's oldest functioning music hall. Blending literature, folk tradition, and classical music, and starring legendary actor Niamh Cusack. tbis performance continued to push the boundaries of our artisuc output5, brought significant new audiences to our work in two sold out nights and received critical acclaim in a revtew in The Guardian Newspaper. Rounding out the season, we were thrilled to perfonn our first full booking at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. having taken part in a choir festival ai the venue during Euro Pride in 2016. Coinciding ￿ryth Arnsterdam Pride weekend, we performed our MyBelovedM4n prograrnme- conducted for the first time by larnie Powe earning a five-star review in the Netherlands, Trouwnewspaper. Having completed mastering, we look forward to the release of Songs ofOutseJves, in September 2025 with a launch event at London s iconic and historical LGBTQ+ venue the Royal Vathall Tavern. Edward Inng Chair. The Fourth Choir Objects and Organisation The objects of the Charitable Incorporated Organisauon (CIO) remain.. 1. EducatiOL To educate the public in the art of choIal music through concerts, recitals, and other decided means. Equality and Diversity: To promote equality and diversiry for the public benefit. with particular reference to the LGBTQ+ community, Ihrough taising awareness and fostering understanding between diverse backgrounds. Our Values The choir's activities are 8uided by five core values- Pride: Celebrating our identity as LGBTQ+ singers and allies. Excelleuce". A passion for musical skill and artistic achievement. Indusion: Nurturing a diverse and celebratory space. AmbiuoL Being creative. collaborative, and forward-thinking. Community: Maintaining & supportive and 'big-hearted' environmenL Achievements and Perforniance 2024-2025 Key milestones for this reporting period include.. BBC Proms Debut.. Patticipauon in a nationally broadcast performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Orcbid Classic8 Partnership.. Signing a professional distribution deal for our debur album. Intenjational Debut: Our first overseas tour wilh [amie Powe, perfoTming at the Amsterdam ncertgebouw. Artisuc IEmovation.' Staging A major collaborative performance at Wilton's Music Hall. Community Impact: Raising significant funds for Say It b)ud aub and Rainbow Railroad through retiring collections and festival participation. Perforniance Review: The 2024-25 Season BBC Proms (September 2024). ROYBI Albert Hajl The Fourth Choir joined forces with no fewer thaTh five other choirs to create a giant 'massed choir. co give the Messiah choruses their ￿11 dramatic potential- and were even joined by members of the audience for the iconic Hallelujah chon￿. The Messiah, in Mozart's OTchestTation. was conducted by lohn Butt and played by the Academy of St Martin's in the Fields. Other choirs perfoming in the work were the Philhamonia Chorus, the J Max Ferdinand Singers- who also performed in their own prorn earlier in the day- London Youth Chamber Choir, Ihe Bath Minerva Choir and Voices of the Rivers Edge. Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhut8L The Call (October 2024-Febrllary 2025). Sewtine Gallery The Fourth Choir were one of 15 choiTS from around the UK participating in an exploration of AI technology and choral music by artists Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhur5t. Having recorded a choral dataset earlier in the year, the choir s voices formed part of a generative outpul CTeated by the artists in partnership with a group oFtechnolo8ists. The work was uominated for a STARTS (Science, Technology and the Arts) prize from the European Commi5SiOtt. Music for a Wmter's Nigbt (Decemiw 2024). St aemenr Danes Church In our annual Winter eoncert. we performed a beauti￿1, varied programme ofChristma5 music featuring works by Joanna Marsh, Bob Chilcort and Reena Esmail, a gorgeous Ave Maria by Tudor composer Roben Parsons, and Ihe atsnospheric, 8-Part'First Snow by Danish composer Bo Holten. We were joined by Alicia Bruce-Doig. a representative of the Cambridgeshire-based LGBTQ+ chariiy The Kite Tntst and took a retiIing collection to support their work with young people. 5ame8 Soyce's The Dead Uanuary 2025), Wilton's Music Hall This choral-drama. adapied and directed by Séamus Rea. the Choir's Creative Producer, explored how unaccompanied singing adds layer5 of emotion to a powerfijl story and was narrated by the distinguished Irish actress, Niamh Cusack. The music included Irish folk songs, an exquisite Tudor Ave Maria, aDd showcased works by contemporary Irish composers, Aine Mallon and Rhona Clarke, as well as a new arrangement by our MD, Jamie Powe, of BidA&eu, the only known SODg for which Joyce wrore both the words and the melody. It a150 featured atmospheric Christmastide music by Joanna Marsh. Sarah MacDonald and Bo Holten. As well as selling out both nights, the performance Teceived ef￿SIve reviews from the ar£s press". "The exceptionally polished LGBTQ+ chamber choir tearned with Niamh Cu5a¢k for a beautifully paced production of loyce's shon story."_ Flora Wilbon, The Guardian "The perfonners created a highly effective synthesis. Niamh Cusack was a wonderfijlly engaging yet also a highly sympathetic perfornier. you never felt that the choral items were intemipung her, but were a natUTal part of the flow. The choir sang a(Imirably and effectively, making us think about the music and its role in the drama rather than worrying about details of the performance." Robett Hugill, Planet Hugill A Requiem for Those Th Had None (March 2￿25). Farnk St thurdl Held in Farm St Church- the home of LGBT+ Catholics Westminster- this concert commemorared the thousands of LGBTQ+ people sentenced 10 death in EuTope duling the 14th to J9tb centuries. The programme featured Herbert Howells, Requiem and exrracts of Atonso Lobo's Iamentations ofJeremiah as well as contemporary works celebraling love including I Gaze Upon You by Gabriel Jackson. Jake Runestad's Ler MyLove Be Heard, Michael Bussewitz-Quam's Nigra Sum and a setting of texts by the poet Sappho by the choir's Musical Director Jamie Powe. The concert and partnersbip with LGBT+ Catholics Westminster received press coverage. including menuons in Gramophone Magazine, The Tablei and ludependent Caiholic News. Ibeer Cosmos Uune 2025), Wigjnore Hall The choir celebrated Pride in London in this concert ￿th Works spallning nine centuries of hurnan experience in collaboration with celebrated musician and author CN Lester and Classical Pride. Kicking off the concert with a mystical work by Arnerican eontemporary composer Meredith Monk, featuring a solo by CN, the concert also featured works by Dominique Phinot. who was executed For his sexualiry in the 16th century. contemporary gems by Michael Genese, Mary Offer, Caroline Sbaw and Kerry Andrew and the world première of Though You Have Left Me. a heanbreaking recently rediscovered poem by Siegfried Sassoon set to music by the choir'5 own Kit Grahame. Amsterdam Tour (August 2LT25) The choir was thrilled to be making its debut at the world-famous Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in its first overseas tour since COVID, and first with Musical Director Jamie Powe. The concert. entitled My Beloved Man, told the story OE the 39-year relauonship between Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears Using extracts from their letters to each other, in a script collated by Séamus Rea. The letters were read by Classic FM presenter Zeb Soanes, and Ab NieuwdoT, presenter on Dutch radio stauon NPO Klassiek. The concert fell on the day of the Amsterdam Pride parade and was a eelebration of the love of Britten and Pears with music by Britten himself as well as their friend5, contemporaries and historical composers whose music influenced Britcn.. The performance Teceived a five-siar review in Trouw. "A stunning ttibuce to Britten and Pears. The quality of this non-professional choir is outstanding."_ Peter van der Lint, Trouw Public Benefit & Impact The Trustees have had due Tegard to the Chariry Commi￿10n,S guidance on public benefit. Educatio￿ By performing rare works 3Dcluding many by RenaissarAce women (e.g., Raffaella Aleotti) and contemporary queer composers (e.8. Michael Bussewitz-Quam, Kerry Andrew), we have brought dozens of rarely perfonned choral works to audiences in new contexts and formats. Diversity: Our partnership with The Kite Trust at ¢)UT winter concen provided a platforni for service providers working with LGBTQ+ youth to share their stories, directly advancing our aim to 'cultivate a sentiment in favour of equality.. Accessibility. We continue to use varied venues-from historic churches to modern concen halls-to ensure choral music is accessible to different communicies. We continue to operate policies for finaucial accessibiliry for our members and audiences, providing travel bursaries to allow lower- income members to participate in our tour and offering discounted and free uers of tickets for some of our concerts to allow audiences access 10 music who might not otherwise be able to afford it. Structure, Governance, and Management The Fourth Choir was constituted as a CIO on 22 April 2014. TTUStee RecnJitmen¢: We have exploTed widening our Trustee group to include non-singers to enhance our governance and professional skills. Reserves Policy: The Board maintains a target reserve of £7.LKKI to ensure f￿anCial stabiliry and mitigate against unexpected operational costs. FinancAal Health: The Choir remains in a stable financial posiuon, supported by a mix of ticket sales. member subscriptions, and successful fundraising for the Songs ofourselvesproject. Charl￿$ Prinapal Addrw: The Fourth Choir, Flat 5, 19 Percy Circus, London WCIX 9EE. Names and Roles of Tnjstees: Dr Edward Andrew Gilmore Long- Chair Dr Finn Schulze-Feldmann - Treasurer Alexander Graham Edward Luck- Trustee James Daniel McGrenera- Trnstee Future Plans (2025-2026) Looking ahead, the Trustees aim to.. Formally launch and promote the Sojjgs of Ourselvesalbum via Orchid Classics and reach a wider audience Ihrough album sales and radio play. Expand our digital presence to reach a global audience. Pursue collaborations with professional orchestras and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Explore diversification of our funding sourees to continue to grow the attLbition of our artistic amd educauonal outputs. Dedaration The trustees declare that they have approved the tnjstees. report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's tNstee5 Signature {s} Full name (s) Til?M L4 & /ze- Position {eg chairl /*e(2J Date 1/6/£6 **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** **Report to the trustees/** Charity Name The Fourth Choir **members of On accounts for the year** 31[st] August 2025 **Charity no** 1156567 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1-2 below (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) - I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **31/08/2025** - **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** of the 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. **Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination which 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 I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Date:** 11[th] June 2026 **Signed: Name:**[F J Wilde ] **Relevant professional** FCCA, MBA (OPEN), DChA **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** 4 Marigold Drive Bisley Surrey GU24 9SF CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES The Fourth Cholr 1156567 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For thg period from 0110912024 3110812025 To Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrlcted funds to th• neare Restri¢t¢d funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the n•are8t £ to th• nfrar￿t £ to thg noar•*t £ to th• n•ir•¥t £ Al Recel ts SpeGlal Events Other Sales Concert Sale5 Concert Sales- Tickets Donations Donations Imombers MI￿ Prior Year Diffe￿nCe GiftAKJ Sub total(Gross income for ARJ 3.500 19 11.110 8,925 &soo 19 11,110 8,925 4,758 12,861 23.607 12,355 72 3,769 12.3SS 72 3.769 41.22 41234 41,234 A2 Asset and Inv•stment sales, (see table). Sub total 41,234 41.234 41326 A3Pa ent$ Cencert Cost5 Product Cos15 Development Costs Travelling & Entertainment Professional Fees Bank Charyts Gèneral Expenses.. Subscriplw)n8 General Expens&s.' Insurance Advertising and Mathelin9 Costs Equipmont Hiré and Purch85e Perfomers Cater419 Travèl Costs 9,176 56 31,310 9.176 56 31,310 1,470 750 320 874 337 563 11,917 750 320 874 337 15,749 499 1,004 4,180 510 Sub total 44293 44293 35,847 A4 Asset and Investment purchas•$, l$ee table) Sub total Totslpayments 44293 41293 35.847 Net of re¢elpts/(payments) A5 Transfers bgiween funds A6 Ca$h fvnds last year end Cash funds this year ond 3.059 3.059 5.379 10.793 7.734 10.793 7.734 5,414 10,793 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fund$ R&strict8d funds to Marest £ Endowment funds Catégories Details to neatest£ to nearest £ B1 Cash funds HSBC Bank baLqnce 6,299 Outsavry ¢ontrrA account 108 Strwe Gontrol accounl 29 GoCard￿$S 350 Box Office C85h Payp 929 Total cash funds 7.734 lagrgF b9￿ces ￿lIh recovts￿￿ pa￿en accounllsll Unrestrlcted funds Restrlcted funds Endowment funds Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest É B2 Other monetary assets Fund to whlch asset bèlon C05t loptionall Ctstront valu& onal DetLRIIs B3 Investment assets Fund to whl¢h asset belon Curront valu• ional Detai15 Cost loptionall B4 Assets retalned for the charity's own use Fund to whl¢h I￿￿11t rèlates Amount d¥¢ tlonal Vlh?n du• lonal Details BS Liabilities Signed by on8 or hvo trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signaturg Print Name Dale of roval