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← Northern Opera Group

2024-03-31-accounts

1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 1167501
Northern Opera Group
Receipts andpayments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
~~rr~~		 CC16a
~~_~~		 CC16a
~~_~~
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Endowment
funds		 Total funds Last year
to the nearest
£		 to the nearest to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Government 96 96,200 96,200 7,860
Trust and Foundation 19,500 42 42,670 62,170 53,250
Donation 1,312 328 328 1,640 5,080
Box office 19 19,667 19,667 6,055
Commissions -
Misc 150 150
Theatre Tax Relief 45,043 45,043 12,036
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 66,005 158,865 158,865 - 224,870 84,281
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total -
-
-
-
-
Total receipts 66,005
158,865
-
224,870
84,281
~~——————~~
A3 Payments
Operacast 500 500 100
Artist fee 300 183 183,518 183,818 92,318
Marketing 4 4,301 4,301 3,081
Accommodation / travel 13 13,772 13,772 11,501
Venue hire 11 11,947 11,947 10,424
Production 19 19,062 19,062 14,335
Administration 46 46 46 90
Overheads 1,102 1,102 2,068
Equipment 59 59
Governance 480 420 420 900 240
Volunteer expenses - 29
Training -
Vendor fees 7 6 6 13 125
Other 197 197 227

Sub total [ 2,645 ] 233,072 - 235,717 134,538 A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total [ - ] - - - - ~~—~~ Total payments ~~——=—~~ 2,645 233,072 - 235,717 134,538 Net of receipts/(payments) 63,360 - 74,207 - - 10,847 50,257 A5 Transfers between funds - 63,032 63,032 - - A6 Cash funds last year end 365 16,024 - 16,389 16,389 Cash funds this year end ~~SS~~ 693 4,849 ~~SS~~ - 5,542 66,646

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period ~~ee~~ Unrestricted Restricted Endowment CCXX R1 accounts (SS) Categories Details 1 funds funds funds

to nearest £
to nearest £		 to nearest £
B1 Cash funds 739
4,803
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
739
4,803
-
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
Current account
Paypal
~~————~~
account(s)) Agreement Error
Agreement Error		 OK
Unrestricted
Restricted		 Endowment
funds
funds		 funds
Details to nearest £
to nearest £		 to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets 70,530
-
-
-
30,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Tax reclaimable through Theatre Tax Relief
Arts Council England
~~===>~~
Details Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)		 Current value
(optional)
B3 Investment assets -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
~~=——===~~
Details Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)		 Current value
(optional)
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
~~===:~~
Fund to which
Amount due		 When due
Details liability relates
(optional)		 (optional)
B5 Liabilities Unrestricted
413
-
-
-
-
WYCAS - Independent Examination
~~=——===~~
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees		 Signature Print Name Date of
approval
Sarah Vyse 31/05/2024

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

2

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1/4/22 Period start date To 31/3/23 Period end date

Charity name: Northern Opera Group

Charity registration number: 1167501

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT OF THE
ADVANCEMENT OF THE ARTS, IN PARTICULAR
THOUGH NOT EXCLUSIVELY BY THE
PRODUCTION OF LIVE OPERA AND THEATRICAL
PERFORMANCES FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF
AUDIENCES AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE UNITED
KINGDOM
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 We create a range of musical productions,
suitable for participants of varying ages,
abilities and experiences. We produce works
which are rarely performed, providing artists,
participants and audiences with new and
engaging experiences. We operate in the North
of England, with a national reach.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The trustees confirm they have had regard
to the guidance issued by the Charity
Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Para 1.38
Policy on grant making
Para 1.38
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment
Para1.38

Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.		 Para 1.20 This has been a very busy year for Northern
Opera Group, with 5 new productions as well
as outreach activity across the city.
Leeds Opera Festival 2023
We were delighted with the reach and
response to the Leeds Opera Festival 2023
which was themed around opera and music
from Latin America. It truly felt like a
transformational year for the Festival; in terms
of the quality and diversity of events and artists
presented, its reach to new audiences of all
ages, the increased engagement with
participatory events, and vastly increased
opportunities for training and volunteering.
We achieved 93% capacity for our two main
productions – ‘Frida’ and ‘Maria de Buenos
Aires’ – with 33% of first time opera audiences
attend ‘Frida’, and 22% for ‘Maria’.
The overall response to the productions was
fantastic, with 99% of audiences rating the
shows as either ‘Good’ (18%) or ‘Very Good’
(81%):
“As a family of 5+ including an 11, 14 and 17
year old, it was a wonderful night out for the
family. Every one of us enjoyed it immensely”
“An incredible production, beautifully sung,
brilliantly acted, with a fantastic orchestra. This
is the first production to reduce me to tears in
years”
“A fabulous performance that brought
contemporary dance and opera together
together as audiovisual poetry”
‘Batteries Not Included’ was a new opera by
Jose Puello and Zodwa Nyoni. This toured
across the city visting communities all across
Leeds.
Over 1,500 young people and families engaged
with the Festival in various ways; including our
schools workshops, pop-up tour performances,
under-5’s music makingsessions,and ‘family

day’ at Interplay Theatre (with live performance, participatory activity, and a film screening). The Festival saw our first ‘fringe’ programme of additional concerts to further diversify our musical offer for local audiences. This new element was a great success, with 94% of audiences feeding back that the quality of events were ‘Very Good’, and 88% travelling less than 10 miles to attend the concerts. These events were co-programmed with Helen Glaisher Hernandez (who is a speciliast in Latin music). We were pleased to be able to expand the number of training and shadowing opportunities available on this year’s Festival, supporting local students to gain hands-on experience of working in a professional environment. This included placements in costume, stage management, directing, conducting, and technical; as well as two administrative placements with students from University of Huddersfield, and Leeds Beckett University. We also facilitated a free training session for local students and freelancers on delivering music sessions to young children. Leeds Opera Festival 2024 The lead-in to the 2024 Festival started in October, with a project working with Leeds Art Gallery to support older people with dementia and their families to create props linked to our new production of ‘Sherlock Holmes’. We commissioned children’s author Clare Povey to create a new short piece for touring, inspired by the Festival theme of ‘Murder, Mystery and Music’, and suitable for young audiences. We were pleased to work with Jonathan Rainey Reid (Assistant Director, ‘Frida’) as our director, Joe Allen as composer, and Cory Shipp as Designer. The piece was written for two performers and completed its initial tours in February and March – visiting 16 venues in Leeds and Bradford: “It was amazing and I want to see it again” “The actors were excellent. The storyline fun and the production extremely well thought through” “It was very funny and cool!”

“Thank you so much for the event – really enjoyable for the adults as well as the kids! Please continue to host these events” “Interactive & gives my children the opportunity to access the arts” Clare also led workshops in schools with drama facilitator Eija Gibson. Working with 100 children in primary schools in Kippax and Methley, they utilised creative writing, drama and music to support participants to write their own detective stories: “I loved it. It was really good and I didn’t know I had all these ideas in my brain but now I know” “I loved it so much I was excited all week” “I feel like I had the best week ever” “It was so much better than normal learning” Pied Piper of Hamelin Our latest community opera was the first staged adaptation of Sir Charles Hubert Parry’s ‘Pied Piper of Hamelin’. Through a concerted marketing and communications effort to local choirs, we were really pleased to increase our on-stage participation to over 20 local people; including 4 participants under 11 years old, and three generations of the same family taking part. In particular, it was lovely to have a number of over 50’s taking part in their first ever stage show (opera, music or play!). Participants were supported by a professional director and conductor, and joined with four professional soloists who took on the main roles. We collaborated with a local amateur orchestra – West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra – which supported another 50 people to take part. They accompanied ‘Pied Piper’ and then performed a short programme of fairytale orchestra music. We delivered two performances in Morley/Leeds and Saltaire/Bradford, with over 300 audiences in attendance. Audiences were a strong mix of younger and older people, with 33% of audiences under 18 years old. Audience feedback:

“A truly delightful experience for my daughters and I” “Exceeded our expectations. Plus it was the perfect length (and subject matter) to engage younger people” “I didn’t expect such a large cast and orchestra. What a treat!” “It was a wonderful and engaging performance. My husband who has dementia and is not a classical music buff thoroughly enjoyed it. The children in the audience were loving it too” “Loved it. I went with two 8 year olds and they loved it too. Well done!” Participant feedback: “I've never done anything like this before and I didn't think I had a huge amount to contribute, but everyone involved made me feel very welcome and that I was adding to the production. I thoroughly enjoyed it and had a huge amount of fun. I was so impressed with how professional and thorough it all was, rehearsals were great, focused and productive. As a result I want to take up singing and learn an instrument, which I thought had passed me by. I'll be forever grateful for the experience and the memories” “I hope Northern Opera can continue and keep doing things like this, it's hugely valuable.” “I really appreciate how everyone welcomes and supports. Particularly appreciative of how welcomed and supported and my daughter feels taking part with me.” Future Plans We are currently preparing for the main Festival in August & September 2024, which will include our world premiere ‘Sherlock Holmes’, a dedicated programme by our first Guest Artistic Director, return performances of ‘The Book of Eternity’, and a brand new escape game in collaboration with Locked In Games.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising activities against objectives Para 1.41 set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 Northern Opera Group is in a positive
financial position going into the New Year.
Shortly following financial year end, we are
expecting our second payment (£27,000) of
our current Arts Council England grant, as
well as over £70,000 in Theatre Tax Relief
(claimed from this financial year’s
productions). This ensures that we have
already achieved our target budget for the
2024 Festival.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 As we have minimal overheads the
company doesn’t have a formal reserves
policy. Management accounts are created
for each Board meeting for Trustees to
monitor
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £5442
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 n/a
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 n/a
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 n/a

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)		 Para 1.47 Our principal sources of funding are Arts
Council England (project grants), Theatre
Tax Relief, and Trust and Foundation
grants
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 Constitution
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 CIO
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 Trustees are selected based on
recommendation and research

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Northern Opera Group
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1167501
Charity’s principal address c/o Northern Ballet
2 St Cecilia Street
Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7PA

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
3
5
7
8
9
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
year		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (if any)
Mark Skipper Chair
Sarah Vyse
EmilySimpson
John Savournin
George Johnson-
Leigh
Alan Williams

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) ~~ce~~ Full name(s) Sarah Vyse Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc) Date 31/5/24

Northern Opera Group

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Northern Opera Group

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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:

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.

Signed: …………………………………… Name: Simon Bostrom FCIE

3/6/24

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW