Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1-Sep 2023 To 31-Aug 2024
Charity name: The Society for Music Analysis
Charity registration number: 1168650
Objectives and Activities
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| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | As stated in the Constitution of The Society for Music Analysis (SMA), the Charity’s purpose is: ‘The advancement of education in music theory and analysis for the public benefit, in particular, but not exclusively, by the dissemination of the latest scholarly research.’ |
| 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 |
The Society for Music Analysis provides services to advance the field of music theory and analysis. The Charity is affiliated with the journal Music Analysis, and organises a regular programme of events including the annual Music Analysis Conference (‘MAC’), the Theory and Analysis Graduate Students (TAGS) Conference, the Music Analysis Summer School, and other study days and workshops. The Society for Music Analysis also produces online resources. The Charity provides services to advance the education of all those interested in the field of music theory and analysis. The mechanisms by which we achieve these goals are outlined below: Events The Charity supports and organises a regular programme of events for students, professional researchers and the general public, over and above what is offered in many Higher Education institutions. Our events aim to create dialogues regarding all aspects of research and education in music theory and analysis that would not otherwise happen, and support the free exchange of ideas. Our events are international in scope but bring music analysts to meet in various UK locations. Students benefit from the networking and professional development we offer through the Theory and Analysis Graduate Students’(TAGS) |
Conference (annual in spring), where UK and international students meet and present papers on topics that are more specialised than those promoted by other learned music societies and charities. TAGS also provides workshops, organised by professional academics, designed to enhance the employability prospects of those taking part, and prepare them for working in the field. To this end, students also benefit from writing groups and other student-run activities that we sponsor. The Society for Music Analysis supports an annual Music Analysis Conference (‘MAC’) for both professional academics and students (open also to the wider public); these are three/four-day events, and typically accept around 100 speakers from across the world. Many more speakers than can be accepted apply. Grants The Society for Music Analysis supports attendance at our own events through a Bursary Scheme. Attendance at other analysis-themed conferences or events is supported via our Development Fund, which also covers grants for research trips, the cost of obtaining research materials, and other similar costs. When we are financially supporting members, we encourage grant recipients to review the conference/event in question in our biannual Newsletter, and thus share their experience with others. Contribution to International Networks The SMA is the UK hub for the triennial European Music Analysis Conferences (‘EuroMACs’), which take place every four years in major European centres (recently Rome, Leuven, Strasbourg, and Moscow). These are presently run by a consortium of European music theory and analysis societies, including the SMA. These events offer opportunities for professional academics and students to contribute to much larger events than any country could host on its own. We work with and support the promotion of other music societies, and are members of the Music Research Consortium, which aims to discuss a broad range of topics, including issues that are crucial to the sustenance of the study of music in schools, colleges, online, in both public and private sectors. Resources The SMA incorporates the journal Music Analysis , through which we support the funding of the Charity. The journal disseminates the latest scholarly research in the discipline of
| music theory and analysis, with contributions from distinguished and emerging analysis scholars from the UK and abroad. Additionally, we publish a Newsletter that promotes our members’ work, reviews events germane to the Society’s objectives and the members’ interests, and we send regular mailings to our members about forthcoming events and developments. We also maintain a website that provides updates on events, awards, and other activities of the Charity. Strategy (Educational Objectives) Within the present reporting year, the SMA has continued working towards implementing its ‘Strategy’ for future development, which was agreed in 2016/17. At that time, our objectives for the future were defined as: 1) to expand the Society’s membership; 2) to enhance our research presence, and support research into music theory and analysis at a national level, by supporting scholars at all career levels; 3) to support the presence and development of music theory and analysis as undergraduate curriculum subjects; 4) to support the work of postgraduate students at MA and PhD levels; 5) to support primary and second-level music education, via the establishment of outreach programmes and the creation of freely available teaching materials; 6) to encourage and foster the professional status of the discipline within the academy. Our objectives surrounding second-level curricula and educational context have a clear public benefit. The Society for Music Analysis aims to bridge the knowledge gap between second- and third-level education in theory and analysis, by engaging in dialogue with A-Level and GCSE boards, lobbying the Department for Education in support of music theory’s educational value, engaging in targeted schools’ outreach, engaging in dialogue with regional music hubs, working closely with other relevant bodies in the sector (for example Music Mark [incorporating MusicHE], The Associated of the Royal Schools of Music [ABRSM] and the Royal Musical Association [RMA]), and developing educational materials that can be disseminated to schools and music providers. The society remains a member of the NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations). Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Para 1.18 In preparing this report and carrying out their duties, Trustees of the Charity have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. |
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Commission on public benefit
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
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| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | We have policies regarding our Development Fund and Bursary Schemes: To be eligible to apply to the Development Fund, individuals must be current members of the Society for Music Analysis, and have been so for a period of at least six months prior to submitting their application. Full eligibility criteria can be found at: http://www.sma.ac.uk/grants/development/. Our policy on the award of Bursaries states that applicants must be a student member of the Society, or an early-career researcher without access to institutional funding, and attending an SMA or SMA-affiliated event. Full eligibility criteria can be found at: http://www.sma.ac.uk/grants/travel/. SMA grants are overseen by a central grants committee. This consists of: SMA President,_Music Analysis_Journal Editor, _Music Analysis_Journal Associate Editor, Chair of Editorial Board, one SMA Trustee, SMA Treasurer. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | SMA trustees act as unpaid volunteers in their roles. The journal_Music Analysis_has an editorial board, on which unpaid volunteers stand. The SMA has 2 volunteer student representatives, who represent the voice of our student members. |
Achievements and Performance
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| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to |
Para 1.20 | Achievements in the present reporting period include: Election of Trustees and Appointment of Officers In this seventh reporting period as a Charity, The Society for Music Analysis held its seventh AGM online and seventh election of trustees. This election was held in accordance with the Constitution and Society Rules. One third of trustees elected in the previous reporting period stood for |
| the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
re-election, and members of the Society were invited to apply to become trustees. Three trustees were elected and re-elected through this exercise: Dr Annika Forkert-Smith, Prof. Kenneth Forkert-Smith, Prof. Ian Pace Events ● Our ‘MAC’ in Edinburgh took place in summer 2024 ● TAGS took place in Oxford University, with Dr Robert Komaniecki nd Dr Anabel Maler and as keynotes in April 2024 ● Popular Music Theory & Analysis summer school in Liverpool, took place Summer 2024 In the present reporting period, the SMA ran or collaborated in the following further events: Colloquium series: ● Beginning in February 2022, the Society inaugurated an online Colloquium Series, with invited guest speakers. The 2024 season was comprised of six talks, taking place monthly. The following student-run events: ● Music Analysis Summer School, 30 June 2024 with Prof. janet Schmalfelds and Prof. Yoel Greenberg. ● ‘Beyond Corpus Study’ workshop in collaboration with the University of Toronto, 29 November 2024 _Music Analysis_Journal Our linked journal_Music Analysis_published 3 issues in the present reporting period: Volume 41, No. 3; and Volume 42, Nos. 1 & 2. Exploring a vast range of analytical topics, the journals support both scholars and students in their advancement of analytical knowledge. Articles in the journal were read worldwide, with the readership of journal articles significantly exceeding SMA membership numbers. |
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Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising Para 1.41 activities against objectives set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Gross income for the year was: £58,262.18. Costs, totalling £77,121.84 have been incurred during the year. A loss was incurred due to a) greater than usual expenditure relating to Events b) a decrease in publisher income. Despite this, the trustees consider the assets of the charity adequate to fulfil the obligations of the charity. £154,448.05 reserves held in NatWest Business Reserve account. £25,989.15 held in current account at the year-end. Whilethere are currently no uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a growing concern, the Society has begun to take steps to ensure expenditure remains stable and within a contained budget, to counteract the unexpected fall in its primary income stream. This will be monitored closely in the coming reporting year. |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves are currently held in NatWest Business Reserve account to cover funds for events and bursaries allocated but not yet spent, and for contingency to meet any shortfall in future operations. With the consensus of the Trustees, the SMA will begin the process of opening a second reserve account with Charity Bank as well as reinvesting funds through the CCLA (Charities, Churches, and Local Authorities) Investment Fund. This is better to align the charity’s financial structure with current insurance guidelines, simultaneously demonstrating a commitment to ethical investment, and ensuring constant access to funds, thereby safeguarding against any potential issues which have hampered the smooth-running of the charity in previous years. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | See above |
| 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 | There are presently no uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
● Income from journal (£41,359 in 2023/24 ) ● Memberships (£1,715.68 ) ● Journal subscriptions (£203.23 ) |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Investment options are currently under review, with the aim of creating investments with the CCLA (Charities, Churches, and Local Authorities) Investment Fund. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The trustees aim to update their risk register in 2024/25. This outlines the following principal risks facing the charity. Trustees aim to implement strategies to mitigate these risks: ● Dependence of Employees: Role descriptions to be produced so that trustees can manage the tasks of the administrator and treasurer should they be unable to operate for a certain period of time. ● Procedural and systems documentation: Key policies will be refreshed with trustees once policy documentation is agreed. ● Governance: The skills required of trustees will be reviewed and agreed, and role descriptions will be drawn up. Structural integrity will be incorporated into the election process via the establishment of an election panel. We aim to develop a complaints policy, a code of conduct for members, and a policy on social media in 2023/24 in consultation with other societies across the HE sector. |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
N/A | |
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| Type of governing document |
Para 1.25 | The CIO is governed by a Constitution, which can be accessed at the following link: https://www.sma.ac.uk/sma-constitution/ The SMA also adheres to a set of Rules, decided upon by the Trustees, accessible at the following link:https://www.sma.ac.uk/2018/04/sma-rules/ |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| 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 elected by the Society’s membership and the process is overseen by two independent scrutineers. The election process is outlined in full in the Charity’s Constitution: https://www.sma.ac.uk/sma-constitution/ At any one time the SMA must have not fewer than three, nor more than twelve, elected trustees, and there must not be more than two ex officio trustees. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Upon election, Trustees are made aware of the Charity’s Constitution and Rules; regular trustee meetings guide trustees in their duties. In the last reporting period, a training document/handbook was created. |
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| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The Charity is overseen by the SMA Trustees, who manage the affairs of the CIO, and for that purpose may exercise all the powers of the CIO. Trustees take on different roles within the Society, including responsibility for areas including outreach, communications and events. In addition to the trustees (one of whom acts as an elected President), the charity is supported by additional officers as follows: Additional Officers: ● Administrator: Dr Yvonne Teo (from October 2023 – Present) ● Treasurer: Dr James Savage-Hanford (from October 2023 - Present – Oct 2023) ● Postgraduate Student Representatives: Rebekah Donn (from Sept 2022) Ardi Echevarria (from Oct 2023) In addition to the trustees and additional officers, the SMA has the following sub-committees: Music Analysis Editorial Board Chair: Dr. Shay Loya Editor: Prof. Edward Venn Associate Editor: Dr Anne Hyland Critical Forum Editor: Dr Chris Stover Board Members: Dr Anne Hyland, Dr David Bretherton, Dr Ben Earle, Prof Julian Horton, Dr Nicole Grimes, Dr Matthew Riley, Prof. Kenneth Forkert-Smith, Prof. Edward Venn, Dr Benedict Taylor, Prof. Laura Tunbridge, Prof. Elizabeth Eva Leach, Dr. Graham Hunt Representation on EuroMAC Committee Prof Kenneth Forkert-Smith |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Society for Music Analysis |
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Other name the charity uses |
SMA |
| Registered charity number | 1168650 |
| Charity’s principal address | The Society for Music Analysis Armstrong Building, Queen Victoria Road, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne |
Claremont Road NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE1 7RU
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
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| Dr Kenneth Forkert-Smith |
President (from 31.07.2019 to 8.7.23) |
President (from 31.07.2019 to 8.7.23) SMA Membership |
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| Dr Christopher Tarrant | President (from 8.7.23) |
President (from 8.7.23) SMA Membership |
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| Dr Christopher Dromey |
To 08.07.23 | ||
| Professor Matthew Riley (ex officio) |
Music Analysis Editorial Board (a Sub-Committee of the SMA Board of Trustees) |
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| Professor Julian Horton |
SMA Membership |
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| Professor Peter Smith | From 08.07.23 SMA Membership |
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| Dr Esther Cavett | SMA Membership SMA Membership |
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| Dr Ian Pace | |||
| Dr. James Olsen | From 08.07.23 SMA Membership |
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| Dr Sarah Moynihan | SMA Membership |
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| Dr Oliver Chandler | SMA Membership |
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| Dr Genevieve Arkle | SMA Membership To 03.07.24 |
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Dr Daniel Walden |
To 03.07.24 SMA Membership |
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| Dr. Annika Forkert-Smith |
From 03.07.24 SMA Membership |
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| Mr Mark Richards To 03.07.24 SMA Membership |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Charity Frances Wilde FCCA Warner Wilde Limited, 4 Marigold Drive, Bisley, Surrey, Advisor MBA DChA PgDip GU24 9SF ~~ee ee~~
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
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Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Dr Oliver Chandler
Full name(s) Dr Christopher Tarrant
ee ee
Position (eg Trustee & President Trustee
Secretary, Chair, etc)
ee ee
Date
16.05.2025
: |iigle | OChandlan
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ The Society for Music Analysis members of On accounts for the year 31 August 2024 Charity no 1168650 ended (if any) Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 August 2024 .
1 and 2
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
| Signed: | Date:23 June 2025 ~~ee~~ |
Date:23 June 2025 ~~ee~~ |
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| Name: | FJ Wilde | ||
| Relevant professional | FCCA DChA MBA | ||
| qualification(s) or body | |||
| (if any): | |||
| Address: | 4 Marigold Drive | ||
| Bisley | |||
| Surrey GU21 4SF |
October 2018
1
IER
| The Society For Music Analysis - 1168650 1 September 2023 – 31-Aug-2024 StarBng Balance (1-Sep-23) £199,296.86 Closing Balance (31-Aug-24) £180,437.20 INCOME Previous year Forecast Actual Dona%ons and legacies Dona%on £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 Fundraising £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 Investments Bank interest £1,362.28 £15.60 £2,222.01 Charitable ac%vi%es Events £8,469.81 £8,000.00 £12,762.26 Journal subscrip%ons £522.46 £850.00 £203.23 Journal income £58,116.00 £48,661.00 £41,359.00 Memberships £1,341.80 £1,300.00 £1,715.68 Other Other receipts £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 Total income (excl. transfers): £69,812.35 £58,826.60 £58,262.18 EXPENDITURE Previous year Budget Actual Bursaries & Grants Awards £100.00 £2,000.00 £1,100.00 Bursaries £1,501.72 £2,000.00 £1,225.34 Development fund £697.86 £1,500.00 £685.74 Events Events £12,059.60 £5,500.00 £24,138.50 Outreach £2,046.49 £220.00 £1,875.00 Website Website £468.28 £283.88 £296.68 Charitable ac%vi%es Administra%on £0.00 £400.00 £910.01 Charity advice £0.00 £1,050.00 £2,112.34 Trustee indemnity insurance £418.87 £413.87 £418.92 Journal expenses £0.00 £900.00 £0.00 S%pends £33,220.00 £33,250.00 £34,785.00 Trustee & officer expenses £4,375.31 £5,000.00 £9,574.31 Total expenditure (excl. transfers): £54,888.13 £52,517.75 £77,121.84 Transfers between accounts £0.00 Total Balance £205,605.71 £180,437.20 Net Profit £6,308.85 -£18,859.66 Account Balances (31-Aug-24) NatWest Community £25,989.15 NatWest Business Reserve (Savings) £154,448.05 PayPal £0.00 |
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Signature(s): Full Name(s): Dr Christopher Tarrant Dr Oliver Chandler Position: President and Trustee Trustee