CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 1•t November 2023 To 31 •t October 2024 Charity name: HARMONY INSPIRES OXFORD BARBERSHOP CLUB Charlty registration number: 1157497 Objectives and Activities Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its goveming document 11 To advance education of rnembers and the public in the barbershop Style of 4-part harmony singin& through rehearsals, education courses, competttion and shows 21 To further such charitable purposes (charitable under lish lawl as the Trustees. from time to time, think fit. In pursuing our aims for the public benefit, the chorus believes it impacts on people's lives in several ways. We involve people in a creative, enjoyable and fulfilling educational activtty, providing members with the opportunity to develop friendships, vocal technique and musical repertoire. Our weekly Welcorne Wednesday provides an open opportunty to come and join us singing unaccompanied 4-part harmonv. Summary ofthe main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit. in particular, the activities. projects or services identified in the accounts. For audiences, we present excitin& innovative and high-quality performances providing a pleasant and entertaining cultural experience, but also educating them by extending their musical knowledge, especia51y in the genre of Barbershop 4-part close harmony singing. There are no restrictions on membership of Harmony Insplres - anyone can become an Associate member, although Full Membership is restricted to women, who have passed a vocal assessment. In addition to the publlc educatlonal benefits to participants and audien members mentioned above, the Trustees are conscious that its activitles must be affordable and financial support is offered in cases of hardship to those wishing to join the chorus in competitions. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit The trustees have complied with the duty in section 1715) of the Charities Act and the Charltles (Accounts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008 to have due regard to public benefit guidan published by the Charty Commission.
Additional infornation {optional) The club is run entirely by volunteer5. Without whose valuable contributions. the Club would not function. We are. in partitular. indebted to our Musical Director who provided her services for free, not only running rehearsals, but spendin8 many hours on preparation. Contribution made by volunteers Achievements and Performance The Club holds weekly hearsalS at which members receive coaching and instruction from the Musical Director. Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the drfference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefrts to society as a whole. During the year the chorus also received instruction from several external vocal coaches. The aim, as always, is to irnprove singing technique and the preparation of songs for performance to a wider audlence. Performances: Thls year the chorus performed In several locations in and around Oxford and Abingdon. Of note were two performancesforthe NHS, one In central Oxford and one In a local hospital. Both performances brought the craft and joy of barbershop 4-part harmony singing to local publlc sector workers not only providing entertainment but simultaneously showing our appreciation for our NHS workers. The Chorus also performed at the Morchom Big Weekend, the village where we rehearse in the community hall and at Witney In Pink, a communlty-based fundralser for the Abingdon-based charity Agalnst Breast Cancerfs vital research. In addition, the Chorus held a joint fundraising concert for church In Abingdon and were privileged to be performing alongside two other local cholrs at this event. Competltlon5: In October 2024, Hannony Inspires competed against 26 other choruses in the national LABBS Convention in Bournemouth, in which 2 songs were judged in the categories of singing, music and performance. This year the chorus were very happy to be recognised and awarded The Mlllennlum Award for the Most Improved Chorus of 2024. During the event, members were able to learn more of the barbershop craft by watching other choruses and quartets and through attending fringe educational activities. Competing against other choruses is a very effective way of focussingon improvingoursingingskills and feedbackfromjudges helps us focus and hone our skills in specrfic a35 that require refinement.
Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the eriod Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Club Funds as at 31 October 2024 amounted to £10,260, an increase of £1,466 over the previous financial year. The trustees consider that Harmony Inspires requires a reserve fund to enable the club to operate if there should be an unexpected drop in income or increase in expenditure. The main risks are considered to be: a) A drop in membership, causing a significant drop in subscription income b) An unforeseen emergenry or other unexpected need forfunds The trustees propose to maintain the reseNes at a level, which would: cover payment of outstanding hall hire bills and allow time to develop new sources of income or to cut back on expenditure cover possible troughs in cash flow As the club is funded largely bythe members, the trustees abo considerthat there should be an upper limit to the resenies held. Current upper and lower limlts are £20,OW and £5,000. Addltjonal Inforniatlon ional The charity's principal source of funds were: Member subscriptions (less LABBS subscriptions) including gift aid. Donation5 are also received through Easyfundraising and the chorus receives donations for some performances. The majorty of income is applled to the costs of running the club. The primary expenses are hire of rehearsal rooms, cost of music (arrangers fees. copyright, teach tracks), travel costs for our Musical Director, software licence fees, fees for guest instructors and costurnes and other ro sfor erformances. The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Structure, Governance and Management Type of governing document Constitution date iith June 2014 (updated 8 December 2021 and 15" Februa 2024) Charitable Incorporated Organisation {ClO) How is the charity constiluted? Trustee selection methods including delails of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Elected by members or.appointed by Trustees
Additional infomiatlon tional Harmony Inspires is a member of the national Ladies Association of Barbershop Singers (L4BBS) which provides advice and guidance, educational opportunities for club Members and directors and hosts competitions which lead to the promotion and improvement of singing in the Barbershop style. The charity is also a member of Making Music. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits. The charity's organisational structure and any wider network wilh which the charity works Reference and Administrative details Chari name Other name the char" uses Re istered charit number Charity's principal address HARMONY INSPIRES OXFORD BARBERSHOP CLUB HARMONY INSPIRES 1157497 21 Robinson Road, Oxford, OX15LE Nam88 of the charlty trustees who manage the charity Name of person (or body) entltlod to appolnt trustso (If an Trustee name Offlce (If any) Datss •ctod If not for whole yoar Constance Wallcraft Deborah Brooks Chair Vice Chair From 23 Jan 2023 6 Dec 2023 to 30 Jul 2024 Fiona McLeod Secretary Chorus Manager Membership Secretary Treasurer Public Relations Officer Trustee Michele Steele Vanessa Chatterton Caroline Simmonds Rachel Buglass Alison Berry To 8 Jul 2024 From 8 Jul 2024 Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees. report above. Slgned on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature{s) Full name{s) Positlon (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) C14AI( Date
Hamionylnsplr 1157497 Receipts and payments accounts Fwthe perlod frLvn To 014knZJ 31-Od-24 Section A Receipts and paymeiits Totsl funds Labt year loth•noar#t £ tsth•nMmt£ A1 Re¢¢lpl• Subscrl tlon$- membe Gift r8d8imed on membw 8ubscri LABBS grant8 Easy Fundraisino ftaffle r•f(•thmth Porfumpth¢ 10. i.t42 202rk2W21 100 525 R•funltsa com DonAIWI Sub tot•l(Gross inGome forAR} A2 A••t And Invo•tM•nt •41•• 16,111 14332 Sub lotsl 13.JJl A3Pa gnt• 118tlon féa lo LABBS R8hear5al room ren181 PertOrnon¢o CO8t8 Conv¢niion cotsia Mugle feéJ and leamln melerl Co8chl f¢x m•mber." léés énd WebsS10, Zoom leea HI Gllls and Oonaiion Vdcebox 8dwrt$ Purchaw ol co$lum88. b Flrsl ald k51 and acddeni book Trus18? aw¥d Purth81è of roledvo rl8W Recrnllml co818 MDex Event8 Hllrdihlpfun¢ 72$ n2 212 619 271 134 1•4 121 110 14711 Sub tot*1 13.6•2 A4 A•••t and Inv•8tmwrt ur¢haM•. •tsb Sub tot•1 13,692 13.781 Net of rncelptrfp•yments) A6 Trnn•f•rn b•tw••n fund• A8 Calh fund• la•t yoar •nd 8,794 10.2 9.22J
Section B Statement of assets and Itabilities at the end of the period Unre¥lrf¢ted tohbxrert£ 81 C¥h fund¥ 5,147 Total ¢•sh funds 10,260 Details B2 Other mon•t•ry •8••t• B4 A•Mts r•t•ln•d for th• ¢h•rW• own u 1•.169 223 172 ID•p. S •1•) 78 85 Llabllltl•• Det811 P•ld Slon•d by•n• c*tY•) truit••son olal th•tiu•t•• Signaiurv Prtnt Na Dat• of C.thL6ci2AFr