’ - The Music Troupe Trustees annual reports
2024 The Music Troupe - Trustees’ Report year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees of the Charity present their report and financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with the relevant charity regulations and best accounting practices.
Structure, governance and management
The group came into being during 2014 as a name ascribed to a team of performing singers and musicians dedicated to the art of chamber operas. It was officially recognised by the Charity Commission on 22 April 2015 according to the Constitution which had been adopted by the Trustees on 24 March 2015. The Trustees as at March 2024 were Richard Foster (treasurer), Susan Norman, Ian Caddy (chair), Jennifer Hughes. Edward Lambert, reporting to the Trustees, is the officer in day-to day charge of running the group. He has attended several courses including fundraising, tour booking and diversity & inclusion.
Objectives and activities
The Music Troupe exists for the advancement of the arts through the promotion and presentation of classical music, in particular, but not limited to, new works and small- scale opera for the benefit of the general public. To date, The Music Troupe has presented 13 new chamber operas with performances in Kintbury, Brighton, Chiswick, Camden, King’s Cross, Marylebone, Hungerford, Richmond (Yorks), Manchester, and Isle of Dogs, London.
Achievements
In the period under review, the group gave 17 performances of 3 new chamber operas spread geographically between the London / Home Counties and the north. We believe that we are unique in concentrating on new works and have noticed how new audiences are attracted by this form of opera because of its freshness, relevance and immediacy. In the current climate, artists are grateful for the opportunity to work with us. We often employ early career performers and this gives them valuable experience.
We performed The Last Siren as part of the Tête-à-Tête Festival in August. This work was also adopted by the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory at the University of West London as a Dementia Friendly Opera, and given at the university’s Ealing Campus to an invited audience. News coverage was extensive, and included Sky News, BBC London, The Big Issue, Arts Professional, Opera Now and Times Radio. The group subsequently performed Masque of Vengeance at The Cockpit and Stoller Hall, Manchester in
November and followed this in February 2024 with The Duchess of Padua at The Space, E14, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond (Yorks), Hungerford and The Burgess Foundation, Manchester. The performances received positive reviews.
Financial Review
During the period under review, income received was £6387 in ticket sales and £7750 in grant awards. Expenditure on the 3 productions was ££36,022 incurred mainly for fees for professional artists. This resulted in a deficit of £20,300 which was met from unrestricted funds brought forward. Balance sheet 31/03/2024 at bank £1658 Paypal £312 with a grant payment £1000 pending
Reserves policy
Unrestricted funds are necessary to cover ongoing costs and to assist with the costs of future projects.
Plans for future periods
We have several pieces awaiting production. We have been invited to appear at Tete a Tete again tis year with a double bill called The Parting and Buster’s Trip.
Public benefit
The activities of The Music Troupe have benefitted the public by increasing awareness of small-scale opera and in particular new works which seek to challenge as well as to entertain. We have performed in communities not usually served by such presentations and see this as our major strength going forward. All our productions have been filmed and the videos are available online.
Trustees’ responsibilities
In preparing and approving the financial statements the Trustees are required to apply suitable accounting policies and make reasonable and prudent judgments in accordance with the law. None of the Trustees receives remuneration.
We hereby approve the financial statements
signed on behalf of the Trustees of The Music Troupe Ian Caddy (Chair) Susan Norman, Jenny Weston BM Richard Foster (treasurer)
Created 7 June 2024 From Date 1 April 2023 To Date 31 March 2024
THE MUSIC TROUPE Profit & Loss Statement (All values reported in GBP)
Turnover
| 4000 General Sales 4010 Ticket Sales 4011 Charity Donations 4012 Individual Donations Total Turnover Less Cost of Sales |
41.38 6,337.08 7,833.17 1,510.00 15,721.63 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost of Sales Gross Profit Less Expenses |
0.00 15,721.63 |
|
| 6100 Sales Commissions 6201 Advertising 7500 Printing 7501 Postage and Carriage 7504 Stationery 7603 Professional Fees 7700 Equipment Hire 7803 Premises Expenses 7901 Bank Charges 8204 Insurance Total Expenses Profit Before Tax |
(38.40) (1,602.42) (192.92) (6.49) (119.98) (27,883.34) (1,011.12) (4,871.88) (63.99) (231.00) (36,021.54) (20,299.91) |