’ - The Music Troupe Trustees annual reports
2025 The Music Troupe - Trustees’ Report year ended 31 March 2025
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 2025 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 new chamber operas with performances in Kintbury, Brighton, Chiswick, Camden, King’s Cross, Marylebone, Hungerford, Richmond (Yorks), Manchester (2 venues), and Isle of Dogs, London.
Achievements
In the period under review, the group gave 3 performances of 2 new chamber operas at The Cockpit, London, as part of the annual Tete a Tete Festival, at the University of West London, Ealing, and at St Margaret’s Church, Putney. The latter two events were given under the auspices of the Geller Institute of Aging and Memory at the University of West London and constituted “dementia friendly opera”, drawing an audience of enthusiastic, mainly elderly audiences for whom these performances of short contemporary operas represented an unique opportunity.
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.
Financial Review
During the period under review, income received was £6023 in ticket sales, fees, grant awards and donations. Expenditure on the production was £4013 incurred mainly for fees for professional artists. This resulted in a surplus of £2010 which will add to unrestricted funds carried forward. Balance sheet 31/03/2025 at bank £3822 Paypal £378 with no income or expenditure 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. The young director, Walter Hall, is actively working with the group to develop plans for the future and to extend our activities.
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 Hughes BEM Richard Foster (treasurer)
Created 11 May 2025 From Date 1 April 2024 To Date 31 March 2025
THE MUSIC TROUPE Profit & Loss Statement (All values reported in GBP)
Turnover
| 4010 Ticket Sales 4011 Charity Donations 4012 Individual Donations 4900 Miscellaneous Income 4902 Commissions Received Total Turnover Less Cost of Sales |
274.91 1,217.50 1,025.00 6.05 3,500.00 6,023.46 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost of Sales Gross Profit Less Expenses |
0.00 6,023.46 |
|
| 6201 Advertising 7100 Rent 7500 Printing 7506 Hosting Fees and IT Consumables 7603 Professional Fees 7901 Bank Charges Total Expenses Profit Before Tax |
(163.86) (480.75) (42.10) (190.88) (3,076.00) (60.00) (4,013.59) 2,009.87 |
|