CITY OF LONDON CHOIR
COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31 JULY 2025
REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1164955
CITY OF LONDON CHOIR
COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
CONTENTS
| Charity Information | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balalance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes forming part of the financial statements | 8 to 11 |
CITY OF LONDON CHOIR
31 JULY 2025
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1164955 PATRONS Lady Brewer OBE Humphrey Burton CBE Lord Chartres GCVO PC TRUSTEES D G Mansfield - Chairman J J Robinson - General Manager C L Clark M S St. G Hill C T Matthews C Rayson A P Thompson J Withington MUSICAL DIRECTOR & PRINCIPAL Daniel Hyde CONDUCTOR PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 20 Highclere Road New Malden KT3 3HJ Royal Bank of Scotland plc 4th Floor1 1st Hardman Boulevard Manchester M3 3AQ INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jonathan Chartres, FCA WEBSITE www.cityoflondonchoir.org
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st July 2025.
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
These accounts are prepared for full year including the combined results of the Charity and its wholly owned subsidiary, CLC Orchestral Promotions Limited.
Constitution and Objects
The Charity governing document is its Constitution which was last amended on 30 November 2015.
The objects of the CIO are to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in the education in the application of the art and science of choral music in all its aspects by the presentation of public choral concerts and by such other ways as the trustees shall determine from time to time primarily in and around the City of London.
In pursuing such objects the City of London Choir aims to provide exciting musical experiences for members and audiences. In particular, it seeks to:
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1) Encourage amateur singers, especially those based in the City, to develop their musical expertise and enjoy singing together;
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2) Provide increased opportunities for audiences to hear both established and less well-known works;
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3) Demonstrate that music of the highest quality can be achieved by amateurs and professionals working together;
4) Celebrate and share the fun of music-making and to encourage more people to experience choral music, whatever their age, background or previous musical interest; and
- 5) Support charities and worthy causes.
Development, Activities and Achievements
The City of London Choir is busy and versatile, regularly performing in ensembles from 20 singers to its full strength of around 140 subscription-paying members. The choir promotes its own concerts in London’s finest concert halls several times a year, with leading professional orchestras, instrumentalists and soloists. Performances for a variety of other promoters earn the choir fees which help to subsidise its own promotions.
The choir is committed to creating opportunities for children and young people both to perform and to attend concerts, notably through its Young Apprentice Bass and Tenor Scheme. This aims to foster and encourage new young choral tenors and basses from London schools with bursaries.
2024-25 saw the start of a new era, being the CLC’s first season with Daniel Hyde as Musical Director. During the season, the choir promoted (or co-promoted) four concerts and took part in several others by invitation.
The first concert of the season was the Mozart Requiem (plus Beethoven’s Meeresstille und Glückliche Fahrt) with Daniel Hyde conducting the RPO at Cadogan Hall, at the orchestra’s invitation. A timely further invitation from RG Live gave the choir a second outing of the Mozart Requiem, at the Royal Festival Hall in January with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by Lee Reynolds. Both these performances were resounding successes and gave the choir a chance to sing a much-loved work to an enthusiastic capacity audience.
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
The choir had two own-promotions in December. At Cadogan Hall, it gave a concert with the Britten Sinfonia including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols (arranged for SATB voices) and Christmas works by Finzi, Ireland and Vaughan Williams. It was supported by the Vaughan Williams Foundation. MusicOMH gave this concert a five star review: "A perfect start to the round of 2024’s Christmas themed concerts.... City of London Choir acquired a new director this year in the form of Daniel Hyde... CLC seem to have a new spring in their step, as Wednesday evening’s concert was the best I have ever heard them sing. Co-ordination was absolutely spot-on throughout; balance was immaculate, and Hyde coaxed some splendid dynamic subtleties out of them, as well as some deliciously warm homogenous timbres (a good quantity of which this repertoire demands).” Of Finzi’s In Terra Pax: “CLC and the orchestra brought all of their skill to the work, turning in a peerless performance full of subtle fervour and carefully controlled timbres.”
On the 21st December, the choir promoted a carol concert for the first time at St Giles Cripplegate, with Paul Greally at the organ and piano and plenty of audience participation. It attracted a big family audience and sold out.
In March, the CLC undertook one of its most ambitious own-promotions to date, in the Royal Festival Hall for the first time. Daniel Hyde conducted the CLC alongside the Choir of King’s College Cambridge and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a thrilling performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius.
In June, the choir had its never-to-be-forgotten debut performance in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, alongside the King’s Men and the BBC Concert Orchestra with Daniel Hyde conducting a performance of Verdi’s Requiem. The concert was recorded for broadcast ‘as live’ by Radio 3. Its fourth and final promotion of the year was a second performance of the same piece in the new version by Richard Blackford for two pianos, organ and timpani, performed with pianists Iain Farrington and Libby Burgess, organist Paul Greally and percussionist Tristan Fry. This was the closing concert of Summer Music in City Churches at St Giles Cripplegate; the arranger himself was present and joined in a standing ovation.
In addition to those already mentioned, fee-paying external engagements during the season included: a performance of Holst’s Planets for RG Live at the Royal Festival Hall; the world premiere of the Lim Cosmic Rhapsody, plus another performance of The Planets, with the RPO and Robert Ziegler at the Barbican; and, as part of Summer Music in City Churches, Fauré’s Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Sir John Rutter (in his 80th year).
The Choir is a member of Making Music.
Reserves Policy
The Choir needs to hold reserves for a number of reasons: to provide a cushion against losses in the course of a year, to enable it to commit to expenditure up to a year ahead and to give it flexibility in its long term planning. The Choir's policy is to hold a level of reserves that is broadly equivalent to between one and one and a half year's worth of planned future expenditure.
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
We choose under the constitution of the Charity to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its financial activities for the period. In preparing these financial statements we:
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1) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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2) make reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates; and
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3) prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasoanble accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. The are also for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and deletion of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf:
Date:
D G Mansfield, Chairman
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the City of London Choir
I report to the Trustees of the City of London Choir on my examination of the combined accounts of the Group, comprising the City of London Choir and its subsidiary CLC Orchestral Promotions Limited, for the year ended 31 July 2025 set out on pages 6 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner
As the Trustees and the City of London Choir you are responsible for the preparation of accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the 2011 Act") and you have chosen to prepare combined accounts for the Group. You are satisfied that the accounts of bith the City of London Choir and t he Group are not required by charity law to be audited and you can chosen instead to have an independent examination.
My responsibility is to report to you on my examination of the combined accounts. I have carried out my examination under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In so doing I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Basis of the Independent Examiner's Report
An Independent Examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. An Independent Examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently it does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving an opinion on the accounts. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an Independent Examination can provide. Consequently, I express no opinion as to whether the consolidated accounts present a 'true and fair view' and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the Independent Examiner's Statement below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gave me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1) accounting records, with respect to the City of London Choir, were not kept as required by Section 130 of the 2011 Act and, with respect to its subsidiary, were not kept as required by Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
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2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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3) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jon Chartres, FCA Independent Examiner
Signed: Date:
20/02/2026
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR COMBINED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Subscriptions and Gft Aid Friends Concert income 3 Performance and other fees 9 Music hire and resale Sales of CDs 10 Donations Sale of folders Fund Raising 11 Tenor Bursary Scheme Interest Total Income EXPENDITURE Rehearsal expenses Making Music & Insurance Concert expenses 3 Music hire and resale Singing day Concert Management Cost of folders sold Audition costs Recording & CD expenses 9 Tenor Bursary Scheme expenses Performance Fees Professional fees Bank Charges Committee expenses Vocal Coach Sundry Expenses Total resources expended NET MOVEMENT OF FUNDS FOR THE YEAR TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
FUND FUND 2025 (£) 2025 (£) UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED FUNDS 2024 (£) 2025 (£) TOTAL FUNDS TOTAL 90,033 - 90,033 39,232 15,025 - 15,025 4,661 39,703 - 39,703 32,011 1,950 - 1,950 2,000 7,914 - 7,914 5,770 10 - 10 10 800 - 800 450 399 - 399 492 - 2,948 16,000 16,000 - 10,000 10,000 1,000 4,181 - 4,181 4,466 |
|---|---|
| 176,015 10,000 186,015 93,040 |
|
| 23,015 - 23,015 15,780 811 - 811 675 7,571 - 7,571 5,427 75,199 - 75,199 41,244 1,072 1,072 30,000 - 30,000 3,600 800 - 800 450 - - - - - 800 299 - 299 205 5,028 - 5,028 693 - - - 430 - 1,070 1,070 385 213 - 213 2,461 2,452 - 2,452 2,696 601 - 601 673 - 673 - |
|
| 147,732 1,070 148,802 74,846 |
|
| 28,283 8,930 37,213 18,194 |
|
| 124,538 2,315 126,853 108,659 |
|
| 152,821 11,245 164,066 126,853 |
There are no recognised gains and losses in 2025 and 2024 other than those included in the Statement of Financial Activities
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AT 31 JULY 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Fixtures & Fittings 4 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 5 Debtors 6 Cash at bank and in hand 8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one years 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES FUNDS Unrestricted Funds Restriced Funds TOTAL FUNDS |
1,059 2025 (£) 2025 (£) 2025 (£) 2024 (£) UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL TOTAL FUND FUND FUNDS FUNDS - 1,059 - |
1,059 2025 (£) 2025 (£) 2025 (£) 2024 (£) UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL TOTAL FUND FUND FUNDS FUNDS - 1,059 - |
|---|---|---|
| 1,059 - |
1,059 - |
|
| 1,061 18,459 134,719 - - 11,245 |
1,061 18,459 145,964 845 27,025 100,587 |
|
| 154,238 11,245 |
165,483 128,457 |
|
| (2,476) - |
||
| (2,476) (1,604) |
||
| 151,762 11,245 |
163,007 126,853 |
|
| 152,821 11,245 |
164,066 126,853 |
|
| 152,821 - 11,245 - |
11,245 2,315 124,538 152,821 |
|
| 11,245 152,821 |
164,066 126,853 |
The financial statements on pages 6 to 11 were approved by the trustees on _____ and signed on its behalf by:
D G Mansfield Chairman
This balance sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the financial statements.
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 JULY 2025
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) revised in October 2019; the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011.
Fund Accounting
The Charity's Unrestricted Funds consist of general funds which the Charity may use for its purposes at its discretion.
Restricted Funds are those where the donor has imposed restrictions on the use of the funds.
Income arising on restricted funds and expenditure incurred in respect of these funds are reflected through the Statement of Financial Activities with any surpluses or deficits being appropriated to/from restricted funds.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value.
Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Capitalisation Policy
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Individual items with a purchase price exceeding £1,000 are capitalised. Expenditure on items below this threshold, or representing the replacement of existing components, is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) as incurred.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic lives and is charged on straight-line method over a period of 5 years (20% per anumm).
In accordance with the charity’s accounting policy, no depreciation is charged in the year of acquisition. A full year’s depreciation is charged in the year of disposal.
2. Income
Voluntary income and donations are accounted for as received by the Charity.
| 3. Concert Account --- Cadogan Hall (Mozart) --- Cadogan Hall (Xmas) --- St. Giles (Xmas) --- RFH Elgar --- St. Giles (Verdi) |
Income Expenditure 2025 (£) 2024 (£) 3,433 6,453 (3,020) (5,614) 4,771 4,611 160 - 9,006 3,836 5,170 (2,105) 52,369 38,746 13,623 - 20,455 21,552 (1,097) 5,708 |
|---|---|
| 90,033 75,199 14,834 (2,011) |
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 JULY 2025
4. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost At 1st August 2024 Additions Disposals At 31st July 2025 Depreciation At 1st August 2024 Charge for the Year Elimination on disposal At 31st July 2025 Net book amount At 31st July 2025 At 31st July 2024 5. Stocks --- Folders held for resale --- Music held for resale 6. Debtors Amounts falling due within one year: --- H M Revenue & Customs --- Concert Account |
£ £ - - 1,059 1,059 Fixtures & Fittings Total - - |
|---|---|
| 1,059 1,059 |
|
| - - - - - - |
|
| - - |
|
| 1,059 1,059 |
|
| - - |
|
| 2025 (£) 2024 (£) 423 207 638 638 |
|
| 1,061 845 |
|
| 2025 (£) 2024 (£) 11,793 14,077 6,666 12,948 |
|
| 18,459 27,025 |
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 JULY 2025
| 7. Creditors Amounts falling due within one year: --- Concert Account --- Other Creditors 8. Cash at bank and in hand --- CCLA Deposit Account --- Metro Bank Accounts --- RBS Current Account --- RBS Reserve Account 9. Performance and other fees Net surplus per engagement: --- Raymond Gubbay Ltd --- Kings College --- BBC Home Services --- RPO --- The Carers' Trust 10. Recording & CD account Income Expenditure Net Income/(cost) 11. Fund raising Easy Fund Raising Royalties |
2,476 1,572 - 32 2025 (£) 2024 (£) |
|---|---|
| 2,476 1,604 |
|
| 14,198 1,626 20,594 11,511 20,515 838 2025 (£) 2024 (£) 90,657 86,612 |
|
| 145,964 100,587 |
|
| 1,901 - 910 2025 (£) 2024 (£) 5,000 700 - - 3,275 1,850 6,050 |
|
| 15,025 4,661 |
|
| - (430) 2025 (£) 2024 (£) 10 10 |
|
| 10 (420) |
|
| 2025 (£) 2024 (£) 207 242 192 250 |
|
| 399 492 |
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CITY OF LONDON CHOIR NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 JULY 2025
12. Trustee remuneration and benefits
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
Trustees' Expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
13. Related Party Disclosure
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
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