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← Open Up Music

2023-08-31-accounts

Company no. 06414209 Charity no. 1167028

Open Up Music Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

31 August 2023

Open Up Music

Reference and administrative details

For theyear ended 31 August 2023 For theyear ended 31 August 2023
Company number 06414209
Charity number 1167028
Registered office and Streamline 436 - 441 Paintworks
operational address Arnos Vale
Bristol
BS4 3AS
Working name National Open Youth Orchestra
Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during
the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:
Scott Caizley
Dr Samantha Duffy (appointed 25 July 2023)
Rosemary Johnson MBE
Dr Elizabeth Lane
Emily Norris
Rebecca Sandiford
Lisa Tregale (resigned 25 July 2023)
David Ward
Jocelyn Watkins
Judith Webster
Chief Executive Officer Barry Farrimond-Chuong MBE
Bankers The Co-operative Bank Unity Trust Bank
PO Box 250 PO Box 7193
Skelmersdale Planetary Road
WN8 6WT Willenhall
WV1 9DG
Independent Godfrey Wilson Limited
examiners Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
5th Floor Mariner House
62 Prince Street
Bristol
BS1 4QD

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

Structure, Governance and Management

Charity constitution

The organisation became a company limited by guarantee on 31 October 2007, registration number 06414209. The Charity was registered with the Charity Commission on 10 May 2016, charity number 1167028.

Details of governing document

The Charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, incorporated on 31 October 2007 and updated on 13 May 2020.

Trustee recruitment, appointment, induction and training

When a need has been identified to recruit trustees the board manages the process. This will include the Chair and at least one other trustee together with any other people deemed appropriate by the trustees. The board will have responsibility for ensuring that the recruitment and induction process is carried out. Responsibility for recruiting trustees is not delegated to employees, although employees may be given specific administrative tasks by the board.

Organisational structure

Open Up Music’s Trustees have overall control of the Charity, its property and its funds. The Board of Trustees consists of at least 2 and not more than 10 individuals over the age of 18, all of whom must support the Objects. The trustees must hold at least 3 meetings each year. There is a quorum at a general meeting if the number of members present in person or by proxy is at least 2. The day-to-day management of all charity matters is delegated to the CEO, Barry Farrimond-Chuong MBE.

There are four Board Committees, to whom the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and senior management team (SMT) report as appropriate. Their aim is to support and challenge the executive team, capitalising on the range of skills and experience available within the Board and creating opportunities for debate outside of the full Board meetings. The Committees report to the Board.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

How the charity makes decisions

Matters specifically reserved for the Board of Trustees include:

All matters not specifically reserved for the Board and necessary for the day-to-day management of Open Up Music, and the implementation of the charity’s objectives, are delegated to management. Management may sub-delegate where appropriate.

Risk

The trustees regularly review the risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular, those related to operations and finances, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.

Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of effective systems and control procedures, which ensure appropriate authorisation of all transactions and projects and consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charity.

Safeguarding

One trustee has been nominated as safeguarding lead who works with the staff team to ensure adequate safeguarding policies and procedures are in place for all our activities and within our organisation. We also work with partner organisations and venues to ensure that they have adequate safeguarding policies and procedures.

Arrangements for setting the pay and remuneration of staff

Open Up Music are committed to retaining and developing the staff team. The Finance and Risk Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees annually on appropriate remuneration for all Open Up Music employees in the forthcoming year, taking into account responsibilities, sector norms and the financial position of the charity. It is committed to doing so with full regard to fairness, accountability and transparency, in line with the ethos of the organisation.

Once every three years, the Finance and Risk Committee will carry out a review of salaries and benefits to all Open Up Music employees to ensure they are paid fairly and in line with others in our sector.

Governance code

Open Up Music has adopted and regards itself as compliant with the Charity Governance Code, including the seven principles of organisational purpose, leadership, integrity, decision-making risk and control, Board effectiveness, diversity and openness and accountability.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Our partners

Open Up Music holds key partnerships with a range of arts and cultural organisations to deliver our work, including:

National Open Youth Orchestra partnerships:

Open Orchestras partnerships:

In 2022/23 we worked with 27 Music Education Hubs, 3 arts organisations and 54 schools across the country to deliver our Open Orchestras programme.

Objectives and Activities

Since 2007, Open Up Music has supported the musical development of thousands of young musicians who have found themselves marginalised by ‘mainstream’ musical provision.

Through our innovative, award-winning programmes we work alongside young disabled people to make music, tackle inequality, create new instruments and inspire new music for the 21st century.

Our programmes are delivered in partnership with schools, Music Hubs and some of the UK’s leading arts and cultural organisations.

Together, we challenge the barriers experienced by young disabled musicians to create a world where musical progression and live ensemble music-making are open to everyone.

Our Mission - why we exist

To open up music to young disabled musicians.

Our Values - how we do what we do

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Aims

Our key aims during the September 2022-August 2023 period were to:

Measures of impact

Our impact is evaluated against four measurable outcomes:

Activities

We work via our interlinked programmes:

Open Orchestras

Open Orchestras is an award-winning programme providing Music Hubs, arts organisations and special schools with the tools and support they need to establish and maintain accessible school orchestras. Originally piloted between 2013-15 in 6 special schools, Open Orchestras now supports over 720 young musicians in 60 orchestras across England and Wales.

In return for a subsidised subscription, Open Orchestras provides digital learning resources, accessible musical repertoire, schemes of work, an evaluation framework and our multi-award­ winning accessible digital instrument, the Clarion™, all underpinned by online training and mentoring.

National Open Youth Orchestra

The National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) is the world’s first disabled-led national youth orchestra. Launched in September 2018, it provides some of the UK’s most talented young disabled musicians with an accessible musical progression route. NOYO is an inclusive orchestral model welcoming young disabled musicians and non-disabled musicians with over 80% of musicians identifying as disabled. NOYO aims to shape the modern orchestra by showcasing how diversity can act as a catalyst for exciting music that marries the sounds of electronic and acoustic instruments.

Open Up Music organises national activities for the whole orchestra including a residential rehearsal, national performances and films, and supports partners in developing their inclusive practice. We provide resources and repertoire (adapted and new).

NOYO is delivered in partnership with many of the UK’s leading arts and cultural organisations: Barbican, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, B:Music, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Bristol Beacon, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Midlands Arts Centre, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Services For Education. These partners run rehearsals and 1-to-1 tuition in 5 regional NOYO Centres. Open Up Music provides a contribution of £10,000 to each regional centre. Partners support the costs of regional rehearsals and tuition.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

As well as being involved in every aspect of shaping NOYO, its activities and creative outputs, musicians act as advocates for inclusive music and co-create content for our social media channels.

Clarion

Our programmes are underpinned by ongoing research and development of a high-quality, accessible musical instrument called the Clarion.

Co-developed with young people, teachers and music leaders, the Clarion™ is a multi-award-winning accessible musical instrument that can be played with any part of the body, including the eyes. With its highly customisable graphical user interface, the sound, colour, shape and layout of the instrument can be altered to suit the needs of each musician.

The instrument is currently available to hundreds of young people through Open Orchestras and the National Open Youth Orchestra.

Research and Development

Since 2018, a consortium of leading UK arts and cultural organisations have worked together to run the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO).

Organisations in the NOYO consortium want to make musical progression more accessible to young disabled musicians. Through our co-delivery of NOYO, we are generating valuable knowledge that could support other programmes and organisations to do that, helping encourage an ecology of accessible provision across the country.

Whilst there is now great willingness in the arts to welcome more diverse people and audiences, there is a lack of successful models to guide organisations and a lack of understanding within organisations of how to effect change.

We plan to develop an online toolkit to be released to the sector in 2026, supporting organisations to improve practice and make adjustments to mainstream activities to make them more diverse and inclusive of young disabled musicians.

Public Benefit

The trustees confirm that they have undertaken to comply with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the charity meets its obligations by progressing towards a more inclusive and diverse orchestral tradition that is more representative of the population. The trustees are satisfied that the charity is ensuring that young disabled people lead or are consulted to inform the charity’s work thereby keeping strategy and activities relevant and appropriate. The trustees are satisfied that reducing the historic exclusion of young disabled musicians and widening the audience for inclusive music has a role in enriching and revitalising classical music which is to the public benefit.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Resourcing

Open Up Music are based in Bristol with a small team of 9 Trustees, 9 full-time and 3 part-time staff. In order to achieve our objectives and to fulfil our objective of increasing Open Up Music’s resilience, we are working to diversify and build income to support further growth.

We are supported in the delivery of training and mentoring for our Open Orchestras programme by two freelance Music Leaders. The National Open Youth Orchestra is delivered in collaboration with key partnerships with leading arts organisations - we could not achieve this work without them.

Achievements and Performance

Overview of progress in 2022-2023

Through our programmes, hundreds of young disabled musicians took the opportunities we created to play music in ensembles. We were led by or consulted young disabled people throughout the year. We worked with education, arts and cultural organisations across England and Wales.

Young disabled musicians developed skills and grew in confidence through being part of their ensemble.

By expanding our partnerships and network, we created new opportunities and increased support for young disabled musicians in the sector. We have made progress towards influencing and supporting larger change within the music sector, as shown by a growing number of approaches to speak at industry events.

Our work is outcomes-based and we measure progress against a series of key performance indicators and targets. Monitoring data collected via robust evaluation frameworks demonstrated excellent performance against targets.

Arts Council England recognised our unique role by renewing our status as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) and increased their funding from April 2023 to March 2026. This funding gives us a strong base to build from over the next three years. We are now, subsequently, part of the new National Youth Music Organisations cohort, with the Department for Education providing some of our NPO funding. This more formal recognition and access to these networks will help us continue to raise our profile and influence in the sector.

By the end of August 2022, we were close to our aim of being classed as a disabled-led organisation under Arts Council England guidelines. Through 2023 we continued to improve our inclusive recruitment procedures which include being a disability confident employer. By 2026 we aim to be a more clearly disabled-led organisation.

Open Orchestras in 2022-2023

“I love being here more than I love being anywhere else.” (Open Orchestras musician)

“Our sessions are now in full flow after a slow start! [Due to Covid] Thanks for allowing us to keep the orchestra going throughout these times; we are seeing amazing progress from the students.” (Amy Swallow, Music Leader, Hamilton Open Orchestras, Birmingham)

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

In the 2022-3 academic year, we worked with 54 special schools, 27 Music Hubs, 3 arts organisations and over 640 young disabled musicians across England and Wales. Digital delivery, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, made it possible to support continued solid growth from 500 young disabled musicians and 44 schools in the previous academic year.

Two-thirds of the young musicians had never played any kind of instrument before joining their Open Orchestra.

In 2022-23:

By the end of the 2022-23 academic year:

We have started the 2023-24 academic year with 60 orchestras. We envisage that Open Orchestras will continue to grow, although we expect this to potentially slow due to the environment. The impact of statutory changes to the Music Hub network being implemented for 2024 is unknown.

“At our last performance, I was shy at the start but when the music started I just felt like my true self and no longer shy and I absolutely smashed my solo.” (Open Orchestras musician 2023)

“Sutton Music Trust is committed to inclusive music opportunities for all, and partnering with Open Orchestras has allowed us to develop the necessary skills to deliver them.” (Sutton Music Hub blog post)

National Open Youth Orchestra in 2022-23

“NOYO, a place where people of all different abilities can come and play music without being judged or belittled. My experience has been anything but dull, a year full of exciting new challenges and events. Meeting new people and making new friends. The best place to be for a musician like me.” (Aaliyah, violinist, NOYO)

"...it represents the future orchestras we hope to see, which would have disabled and non-disabled musicians side by side. NOYO inherently proves that this can be done." (Mercy Welbeck, Producer, Barbican Centre)

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Over the year, NOYO made a significant and positive impact.

We are thrilled with the progress that young musicians have made and that we have made so far, but there is more work to be done to ensure inclusivity within arts and cultural organisations.

“Everyone who has heard or experienced music would agree that it should be available to everyone. But there’s a long way to go to actually make that happen.” (Foreword by National Open Youth Orchestra musicians, “NOYO 2018-2022”, report by NOYO and Sound Connections, Open Up Music 2023)

In February 2023, we published a report by Sound Connections and NOYO musicians, “NOYO 2018­ 2022”. The contents were drawn from four years of independent evaluation of NOYO’s impact and progress. The report was directed at the music sector and the young musicians challenged them with some important questions moving forward, highlighting the need for organisations to offer more inclusive opportunities to young disabled people. Taking these challenges forward is our priority moving into our new strategy period from September 2023-August 2027.

A new partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and BBC Orchestras in Wales, announced in 2022, saw us working with them towards a new centre in Cardiff. Rehearsals in Cardiff successfully started in September 2023, bringing the total number of NOYO centres to five.

With a higher proportion of newcomers in September 2022, instead of a national tour, regional NOYO centres organised regional performances to showcase musicians’ talents and to give live performance experience. This built the musicians' confidence before they take to the national stage in 2024. Aiming for a national tour in 2024 also allowed more time for musicians to develop their music and ensemble skills. We made a film with musicians and Music Leaders, which will be used to promote 2024’s concerts.

Amongst sector opportunities, NOYO musicians spoke at the 2022 Association of British Orchestra’s National Conference. Media opportunities included musicians participating in Dame Evelyn Glennie’s “Access All Areas” series on Scala Radio for Disability History Month. We are confident that with continued support, NOYO will continue to make a lasting and positive impact in the music world.

NOYO’s goal remains to increase opportunities for young disabled individuals and support organisations in delivering inclusive activities. NOYO is entering its next chapter. During the year we recognised with musicians and partners the need for some adjustments to the model to allow partners more autonomy to potentially open more opportunities in their regions, and to help to develop national activities and audiences. In 2023-2024, we are finalising these changes with a view to implementing them in September 2024.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

“I couldn’t have begun my extraordinary journey if I hadn’t been a member of NOYO. NOYO were always understanding, giving the opportunity for a Neurodivergent musician to learn music to a high standard. NOYO’s experience certainly helped me to deliver great acting. Also, I was able to master four new songs for the movie [Netflix’s “I Used to be Famous”] in a very short time! Please never give up your dream.” (Leo, NOYO percussionist to September 2022, now pursuing a career as a musician/actor)

Clarion in 2022-23

“I love the Clarion, I can play chords and riffs on the Clarion”. (Open Orchestra musician 2023)

“Clarion continues to be a life-changing instrument for many of my students who cannot access any other instrument with the same intent, control and expression that Clarion allows them.” (Music educator, 2023)

In this period, the Clarion was available to young disabled musicians in Open Orchestras and the National Open Youth Orchestra. There were 299 Clarion players in Open Orchestras, and 5 in the National Open Youth Orchestra.

The Clarion came to the fore during the year with increasing sector interest and opportunities - in particular, the directive given to Music Hubs to invest in accessible instruments through the revised National Plan for Education. This led us to make the decision to work towards releasing the Clarion to wider audiences in 2024. This will make playing the Clarion an option for more young disabled people, including those in mainstream education. It will also enable more arts organisations to utilise it in creative activities, thereby making them more inclusive. We envisage that arts organisations will pay for a number of Clarion licences and training. This will contribute to growing earned income, to fund further activities, and to greater organisational resilience.

We continued to work with ABRSM to help them pilot and develop Clarion Open Music Assessment over the last two years. Disabled young musicians from 4 of Open Orchestras took part in training music examiners in Clarion. In 2024, the Clarion will become the first ever electronic instrument to be assessed by ABRSM, a major development in this institution’s 130-year history.

“Clarion is a real game changer for us and for those children who can’t access a traditional instrument. It brings us a step closer to thinking that we can enable every child in Islington to learn an instrument and also have an ensemble experience and a progression pathway ahead of them.” (Dr Mirjam James, Music Education Islington Manager)

Research and Development in 2022-23

Open Up Music funded preliminary research to better understand how we can use the learning from NOYO to make ‘mainstream’ musical progression opportunities more accessible to disabled musicians.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Between September and December 2022, Open Up Music worked with Dr Sarah Mawby to plan and facilitate a series of co-development workshops with our stakeholders including NOYO partners, young people and families. The aim of the workshops was to consolidate the learning that Open Up Music has gained whilst establishing the National Open Youth Orchestra and to channel this learning into the development of an Accessible Musical Progression (AMP) Toolkit that will support other organisations to make their music-making activities accessible to disabled people. The research was also guided by two young co-researchers from NOYO. The outcome of the workshops was an Initial Research Report, with recommendations for the development and testing of a toolkit prototype in 2023-25.

Through 2022-23, we consulted with partners to identify ‘mainstream’ ensembles that would test the AMP Toolkit from 2023-25.

“We continue to learn so much from this extraordinary partnership and the next phase of the journey for us will be to further incorporate the inclusive excellence of NOYO into the culture and everyday life of the Guildhall School.” (Sean Gregory - Vice-Principal and Director of Innovation & Engagement, Guildhall School of Music & Drama)

Fundraising

We were delighted to achieve renewed National Portfolio Organisation status from April 2023. A proportion of the public funding through this Arts Council England grant is from the Department for Education and we took the opportunity to become a National Youth Music Organisation in connection with the grant.

Sufficient funding was raised to deliver core programme activities, primarily via grants, thanks to the ongoing support of our funders who we thank and acknowledge below, and the generosity of organisations that offered supplementary cost of living crisis grants. However, lack of certainty because of the timing of the Arts Council decision and our need to plan activities ahead because of the nature of our work and partnerships, meant that some activities were postponed, cancelled or replanned over a longer period than originally hoped.

The cost of fundraising activities was £110,471. Grant income was 99% achieved against budget. Individual Giving came in over budget, whilst income from corporate and major donor giving streams was under budget.

The wider economic situation and limited capacity have undoubtedly slowed our progress in diversifying income. We are targeting future activities accordingly. We have started to see income from new income streams and will build on this. We are renewing our objective to become a more resilient organisation over our new strategy period from September 2023, including an increased emphasis on earned income that will contribute to the continuation, and support the momentum of, the programmes.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Challenges

Schools are increasingly reporting time pressures and resourcing issues. “The power of music to change lives: a national plan for music education”, published by the Government in June 2022, highlights the value and importance of music education and recommends that all schools should have orchestras. Currently, music is not a compulsory subject in special schools. We are starting to use the learning gained from our programmes to support change beyond our partnerships.

The NOYO 2018-2022 report highlighted a lack of opportunities for young disabled musicians beyond NOYO. In response, in 2023-25 we are running a pilot with partner organisations including National Children’s Orchestras, to develop a toolkit, which will support arts organisations to make music activities more inclusive.

More widely, the current economic situation is disproportionately impacting families with disabled children. Because of the prevalence of economic barriers for young disabled people, we have always ensured that activities and resources are free to them. This worsening situation is concerning for young disabled people who participate in creative activities. It is vital that the opportunities we create remain free for them and that we supply tools and resources that they can access at no cost via the programmes.

Financial Review

During this period, we increased our income from £631,482 in 2021-22 to £763,688 in 2022-23.

The principal funding sources for the charity are currently statutory and trusts and foundations grants.

Open Up Music would not exist without grants and partnerships from a number of very generous trusts and foundations. We are grateful that we are supported using public funding by Arts Council England and our status as a National Portfolio Organisation has been renewed to 2026. Our thanks go also to the Department for Education, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Youth Music, Rayne Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Radcliffe Trust, the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Scops Arts Trust, Northwick Charitable Trust, the Chapman Charitable Trust, Starfish Trust and the Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Charitable Trust. These organisations made it possible for us to carry out charitable activities throughout the academic year and plan for future activities.

We are also hugely grateful for the support of our NOYO founding sponsor ABRSM, along with the corporations and individuals who chose to support us during this period.

Earned income was raised through Open Orchestras subscriptions, with the programme marketed to schools, Music Education Hubs and arts organisations.

Reliance on trusts and foundations continues to represent a risk for the organisation and its work, especially as competition for that form of funding becomes increasingly competitive.

Within the 2022-23 period, efforts were made to put in place systems and processes to increase donations from individuals and contributions from corporate partners. We intend to bring this work to fruition in the coming years, diversifying our income streams.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Operating reserve policy

The general funds held at the end of the year are considered to be the charity’s unrestricted free reserves.

The charity aims to hold free reserves covering three months’ average operating costs. The budgeted expenditure for 2023-24 is £891,027 and therefore the target is £222,757. The calculation of average monthly operating costs includes all recurring, predictable expenses such as salaries and benefits, occupancy, office, travel, programmes, and ongoing professional services. Depreciation, inkind, and other non-cash expenses are not included. The calculation of average monthly expenses also excludes some expenses including one-off or capital purchases. At the end of 2022-23 the charity held free reserves of £192,090, which falls short of this target.

The charity held an additional £37,986 of unrestricted funds at year-end, which have been designated to be spent in 2023-24 rather than being included in the general funds. These funds were designated to programme funding in agreement with the funders, and therefore cannot be used to build our free reserves.

The charity will continue to build our free reserves through earned income and unrestricted funding, working to secure three months’ worth of operating costs by the end of the current 2023-27 strategic period.

Plan for Future Periods

There are still limited opportunities for young disabled people to play music. Together with young musicians, our partners and funders, we aim to increase the opportunities we create to further support and influence wider sectoral change.

By 2027, we aim to support 850+ young disabled musicians to access our programmes each year. We will also support other arts and cultural organisations to make their own musical progression opportunities accessible to more young disabled people. We will grow the audience for inclusive music-making through advocacy and high-profile performances. And we will build our resilience by diversifying our income, increasing the diversity of our team and offsetting the impact we have on the environment.

To reduce the musical exclusion of young disabled musicians , we aim to support 68 Open Orchestras and 6 regional NOYO Centres by 2027. We will provide a range of training and Continuous Professional Development opportunities to other arts and cultural organisations. The Clarion will go on sale to individuals and organisations outside of our programmes and we will develop resources and training to help people learn to play it. We will increase the diversity of young people we support and ensure that that diversity is reflected within the music leaders, trainers and composers we work with.

To increase audience engagement with inclusive music-making , we will support NOYO to connect with the general public through live/live-streamed performances, social media and broadcast. Open Orchestras musicians will have free access to NOYO performances, and Open Orchestras will be encouraged to perform for their peers. We will also increase the number of music education sector organisations and policymakers in our audience - connecting with them through NOYO performances, conferences, and the publication of research.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

To strengthen the resilience of Open Up Music , we will diversify our income with increased individual giving, corporate sponsorship and earned income. We will also seek greater representation from disabled colleagues and those from other areas of structural disadvantage within our team. We have always been led by, consulted and co-created with young disabled people. We work alongside them. We will work to embed youth voice more formally into the governance of the organisation. There will be significant investment in staffing capacity to ensure that we can deliver the ambitious work outlined in our plans. Finally, we will work to ensure environmental sustainability, with 100% of our emissions being offset by the end of 2027.

Statement of Responsibilities of the Trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees 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 the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31 August 2023 was 9. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

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Open Up Music

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Ltd were re-appointed as the charitable company's independent examiners during the year and have expressed their willingness to act in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 30 January 2024 and signed on their behalf by

==> picture [110 x 24] intentionally omitted <==

Judith Webster - Chair

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Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Open Up Music

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Open Up Music (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 August 2023, which are set out on pages 18 to 33.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

Godfrey Wilson Limited also provides bookkeeping and payroll services to the charitable company. I confirm that as a member of the ICAEW I am subject to the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2016, which I have applied with respect to this engagement.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

16

Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Open Up Music

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

William Guy Blake

Date: 30 January 2024 William Guy Blake ACA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of:

Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

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Open Up Music

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Note
Income from:
Donations
3
Charitable activities
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
6
Net income / (expenditure)
and net movement in funds
7
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Restricted Unrestricted
£
£
428,955
282,763
-
51,970
428,955
334,733
-
110,471
366,368
245,956
366,368
356,427
62,587
(21,694)
32,528
251,770
95,115
230,076		 2023
Total
£
711,718
51,970
763,688
110,471
612,324
722,795
40,893
284,298
325,191		 2022
Total
£
602,631
28,851
631,482
109,760
587,657
697,417
(65,935)
350,233
284,298

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 14 to the accounts.

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Open Up Music

Balance sheet

As at 31 August 2023

Note
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
11
Net current assets
Net assets
13
Funds
14
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
General funds
Total charity funds		 £
7,394
378,248
385,642
(60,451)		 2023
£
325,191
325,191
95,115
37,986
192,090
325,191		 2022
£
19,885
305,676
325,561
(41,263)
284,298
284,298
32,528
77,681
174,089
284,298

Total charity funds

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477(2), and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

Approved by the trustees on 30 January 2024 and signed on their behalf by

==> picture [110 x 24] intentionally omitted <==

Judith Webster - Chair

19

Open Up Music

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Cash used in operating activities:
Net movement in funds
Adjustments for:
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		 2023
£
40,893
12,491
19,188
72,572
72,572
305,676
378,248		 2022
£
(65,935)
(11,841)
5,579
(72,197)
(72,197)
377,873
305,676

The charity has not provided an analysis of changes in net debt as it does not have any long term financing arrangements.

20

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Open Up Music meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The current economic climate continues to have a profound impact on the global economy, and has in turn affected the charity, as costs rise and funding is harder to raise. The trustees have considered the impact of this issue on the charity’s current and future financial position. The charity holds a cash balance of £378,248, with unrestricted free reserves of £192,090. In addition, the Charity has succeeded in securing 60 Open Orchestra subscriptions for 2023/24. The team are also developing an additional income stream through sales of the Clarion accessible instrument, intended to be released to the market in 2024. The trustees consider that the charity has sufficient unrestricted free reserves and cash flow to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which these financial statements are approved. For this reason, the accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income has been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income received in advance of provision of services is deferred until criteria for income recognition are met.

d) Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

21

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

d) Donated services and facilities (continued)

For Google AdWords, the charity measures the value of the gift at the market value provided by Google. Where the market value is given in foreign currency, this is translated in line with the charity's foreign exchange policy (note 1n). This is a departure from the SORP but is a reliable estimate of the valuation.

e) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

f) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h) Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on the following basis:

2023 2022
Raising funds 15.3% 15.8%
Charitable activities 84.7% 84.2%

i) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

j) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

22

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

k) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

l) Financial instruments

The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

m) Pension costs

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.

n) Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Balances denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the year end.

o) Operating leases

Leases which do not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the charity are classified as operating leases.

Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

p) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

23

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

2.
Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities
Restricted
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
351,800
Charitable activities
-
Total income
351,800
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
Charitable activities
399,806
Total expenditure
399,806
Net expenditure and mov
ement in funds
(48,006)
3.
Income from donations
Restricted
£
Grant funding
402,042
Donations
26,913
Gifts in kind
-
Total income from donations
428,955
Gifts in kind includes the following items:
Subscriptions
Google AdWords
Venue hire
Photography
Website development
Total income from gifts in kind		 Unrestricted
£
250,831
28,851
279,682
109,760
187,851
297,611
(17,929)
Unrestricted
£
252,932
26,810
3,021
282,763
2023
£
1,866
1,155
-
-
-
3,021		 2022
Total
£
602,631
28,851
631,482
109,760
587,657
697,417
(65,935)
2023
Total
£
654,974
53,723
3,021
711,718
2022
£
422
1,155
3,662
1,125
1,236
7,600

24

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

3. Income from donations (continued) Prior period comparative

Income from donations (continued)
Prior period comparative
Grant funding
Donations
Gifts in kind*
Total income from donations		 Restricted
£
326,500
25,300
-
351,800		 Unrestricted
£
236,472
6,759
7,600
250,831		 2022
Total
£
562,972
32,059
7,600
602,631

4. Income from charitable activities

Open Orchestra fees
Ticket sales
Consultancy
Orchestra tax relief		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-		 Unrestricted
£
27,551
-
800
23,619
51,970		 2023
Total
£
27,551
-
800
23,619
51,970		 2022
Total
£
24,051
2,577
2,223
-
28,851

All income from charitable activities in 2022 was unrestricted.

5. Government grants

The charitable company receives government grants, defined as funding from Arts Council England and the Department for Education (2022: Arts Council England and West of England Combined Authority) to fund charitable activities. The total value of such grants in the period ending 31 August 2023 was £256,474 (2022: £166,472). There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants in 2023 or 2022.

25

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

6. Total expenditure

Activity costs
Events
Staff costs (note 8)
Other staff costs
Marketing and communications
Professional fees
Rent and rates
Other office costs
Governance costs
Fundraising
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance
costs
Total expenditure
Prior period comparative
Activity costs
Events
Staff costs (note 8)
Other staff costs
Marketing and communications
Professional fees
Rent and rates
Other office costs
Governance costs
Fundraising
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance
costs
Total expenditure		 Raising
funds
£
-
-
85,762
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,366
89,128
21,343
110,471
Raising
funds
£
-
-
81,993
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,647
85,640
24,120
109,760		 Charitable
activities
£
129,831
19,699
310,870
7,500
26,123
-
-
-
-
-
494,023
118,301
612,324
Charitable
activities
£
93,664
32,436
298,920
8,492
25,006
-
-
-
-
-
458,518
129,139
587,657		 Support and
governance
costs
£
-
-
54,972
12,579
-
15,249
40,969
12,894
2,981
-
139,644
(139,644)
-
Support and
governance
costs
£
-
-
61,164
10,578
-
19,326
35,061
20,354
6,776
-
153,259
(153,259)
-		 2023
Total
£
129,831
19,699
451,604
20,079
26,123
15,249
40,969
12,894
2,981
3,366
722,795
-
722,795
2022
Total
£
93,664
32,436
442,077
19,070
25,006
19,326
35,061
20,354
6,776
3,647
697,417
-
697,417

26

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

7. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Operating lease payments
Trustees' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Independent examiners' remuneration:
Independent examination (excluding VAT)
Other services (excluding VAT)		 2023
£
29,537
Nil
Nil
1,900
3,277		 2022
£
26,720
Nil
Nil
1,800
2,210

8. Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs
Termination payments
Total staff costs		 2023
£
405,313
36,775
9,516
-
451,604		 2022
£
391,598
36,400
9,079
5,000
442,077

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the current or prior year.

The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees, Chief Executive Officer and Musical Director. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £131,203 (2022: £130,365).

Termination payments during the prior year comprise a settlement payment to one employee at the end of employment.

Average head count 2023
No.
12.0		 2022
No.
11.5

9. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

27

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

10. Debtors

Trade debtors
Accrued income
Other debtors
Creditors : amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Accruals
Deferred income (see note 12)
Deferred income
At 1 September 2022
Deferred during the year
Released during the year
At 31 August 2023		 2023
£
4,400
280
2,714
7,394
2023
£
23,081
7,210
30,160
60,451
2023
£
26,875
30,160
(26,875)
30,160		 2022
£
12,171
5,000
2,714
19,885
2022
£
7,596
6,792
26,875
41,263
2022
£
23,555
26,380
(23,060)
26,875

11. Creditors : amounts due within 1 year

12. Deferred income

Deferred income relates to Open Orchestra fees invoiced in advance of provision.

28

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

13. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 August 2023
Prior year comparative
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 August 2022		 Restricted
funds
£
99,348
(4,233)
95,115
Restricted
funds
£
33,384
(856)
32,528		 Designated
funds
£
44,321
(6,335)
37,986
Designated
funds
£
83,488
(5,807)
77,681		 General
funds
£
241,973
(49,883)
192,090
General
funds
£
208,689
(34,600)
174,089		 Total
funds
£
385,642
(60,451)
325,191
Total
funds
£
325,561
(41,263)
284,298

29

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

14. Movements in funds
Restricted funds
ABRSM
Anonymous
Chapman Charitable Trust
Department for Education
The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Harrison Parrot
The Northwick Trust
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Questa Voce
The Radcliffe Trust
The Rayne Foundation
Social Tech Trust
The Starfish Trust
Three Peaks
Youth Music
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Open Orchestras
National Open Youth Orchestra
Clarion
Research and Development
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 At 1
September
2022
£
-
-
-
-
-
7,389
-
8,000
-
300
-
-
10,367
1,500
-
4,972
32,528
25,409
52,272
-
-
77,681
174,089
251,770
284,298		 Income
£
25,000
190,000
1,000
22,542
3,500
-
10,000
-
110,000
-
5,000
20,000
-
-
1,913
40,000
428,955
-
-
-
-
-
334,733
334,733
763,688		 Expenditure
£
(25,000)
(110,000)
(1,000)
(22,542)
-
(7,389)
(10,000)
(8,000)
(110,000)
(300)
-
(20,000)
(10,367)
(1,500)
-
(40,270)
(366,368)
(25,409)
(52,272)
-
-
(77,681)
(278,746)
(356,427)
(722,795)		 Transfers
between
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
21,686
-
10,600
5,700
37,986
(37,986)
-
-		 At 31
August
2023
£
-
80,000
-
-
3,500
-
-
-
-
-
5,000
-
-
-
1,913
4,702
95,115
21,686
-
10,600
5,700
37,986
192,090
230,076
325,191

30

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

14. Movement in funds (continued) Purposes of restricted funds

Open Orchestras

The following grant funding is for the purpose of supporting the Open Orchestras programme: The Northwick Trust

The Rayne Foundation Social Tech Trust Youth Music

National Open Youth Orchestra

The following grant funding is for the purpose of supporting the National Open Youth Orchestra programme:

ABRSM

Anonymous Chapman Charitable Trust Department for Education The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Paul Hamlyn Foundation Questa Voce The Radcliffe Trust The Starfish Trust Three Peaks

Clarion

The following grant funding is for the purpose of supporting the development of the Clarion, an accessible digital instrument:

Harrison Parrot

Purposes of designated funds

Open orchestras

This represents funding designated to support and develop our Open Orchestras programme.

National Open Youth Orchestra

This represents funding designated to support and develop the National Open Youth Orchestra.

Clarion

This represents funding designated to support the future growth and development of the charity, including contributions towards staff and office costs.

Research and Development

This represents funding designated to support research and development into new programmes to open up music to young disabled people.

31

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

14. Movement in funds (continued)

Prior year comparative
At 1
September
2021
£
Restricted funds
ABRSM
-
Anonymous
-
Ashley Family Foundation
10,000
The Borrows Charitable Trust
5,000
The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
3,500
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
24,000
The Foyle Foundation
-
The Northwick Trust
-
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
-
Questa Voce
-
The Radcliffe Trust
5,000
The Rayne Foundation
4,255
RVW Trust
-
Social Tech Trust
10,779
The Starfish Trust
-
The Steel Charitable Trust
10,000
West of England Combined Authority
8,000
Youth Music
-
Total restricted funds
80,534
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Open Orchestras
31,155
National Open Youth Orchestra
28,000
Core costs, development and growth
100,371
Total designated funds
159,526
General funds
110,173
Total unrestricted funds
269,699
Total funds
350,233		 Income
£
25,000
100,000
-
-
-
30,000
10,000
8,000
120,000
300
-
-
2,000
-
1,500
-
5,000
50,000
351,800
-
-
-
-
279,682
279,682
631,482		 Expenditure
£
(25,000)
(100,000)
(10,000)
(5,000)
(3,500)
(46,611)
(10,000)
-
(120,000)
-
(5,000)
(4,255)
(2,000)
(412)
-
(10,000)
(13,000)
(45,028)
(399,806)
(31,155)
(28,000)
(75,665)
(134,820)
(162,791)
(297,611)
(697,417)		 Transfers
between
funds
At 31 August
2022
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7,389
-
-
-
8,000
-
-
-
300
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,367
-
1,500
-
-
-
-
-
4,972
-
32,528
25,409
25,409
52,272
52,272
(24,706)
-
52,975
77,681
(52,975)
174,089
-
251,770
-
284,298		 Transfers
between
funds
At 31 August
2022
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7,389
-
-
-
8,000
-
-
-
300
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,367
-
1,500
-
-
-
-
-
4,972
-
32,528
25,409
25,409
52,272
52,272
(24,706)
-
52,975
77,681
(52,975)
174,089
-
251,770
-
284,298
32,528
25,409
52,272
-
77,681
174,089
251,770
284,298

32

Open Up Music

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

15. Operating lease commitments

The charity had operating leases at the year end with total future minimum lease payments as follows:

Amount falling due:
Within 1 year
Within 1 - 5 years
Total operating lease commitments		 2023
£
10,417
-
10,417		 2022
£
9,046
-
9,046

16. Related party transactions

In the prior year, Andrea Hart was an employee of Open Up Music and the husband of Andrew Hart, Trustee, who resigned during the prior year. Andrea received total benefits in the prior year of £14,165, comprising of salary and a settlement payment at the end of employment.

There were no related party transactions in the year ended 31 August 2023.

33