Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 August 2024 To 31 July 2025
Charity name: Collegium Laureatum
Charity registration number: 1169986
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The object of the Society shall be to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals |
| 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 |
During the financial year August 2024 to July 2025 we rehearsed for three terms of 9 to 13 weeks each and presented three concerts of choral music open to the public, all at the University Music School, West Road, Cambridge. The trustees believe that the activities of Collegium Laureatum benefit the public in two ways. Membership is open without audition to all adults, young and old, who wish to sing, and this inclusivity allows those with less experience to rehearse and perform alongside those with more experience or musical skill and thus to enhance their choral technique and enlarge their knowledge and understanding of choral repertoire. It also allows ageing members to remain in the choir, supported by those around them, and this helps them to retain social contacts and continue to take part in an activity they love. The audience benefit from the opportunity to attend our concerts |
| performed by choir, orchestra and soloists and to enjoy choral music from the baroque, classic and romantic genres. We sometimes include works which are rarely performed which extends the musical education of the audience as well as the performers. The Trustees are always concerned to make the choir's activities affordable for members and for audience and offer concessionary rates. Members under 35 pay a reduced subscription, a facility is provided to all for payment of subscriptions in instalments and encouragement is publicised for members with financial difficulties to privately discuss reduced subscription with the Treasurer. Half-price concert tickets are available for young people up to age 26, and audience supporters who assist as concert stewards are provided with a free ticket. The Trustees have introduced a “Home Singer” class of membership, at greatly discounted cost, for those members who are still isolating at home in order to keep away from any risk of covid-19 infection and wish to follow the live stream of the rehearsal. This initiative is welcomed by those affected and helps bring some structure and social contact into their week. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. |
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
Para 1.38 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 | During the year 2024-25, under the direction of Ian Cobb, we rehearsed and performed three concerts, chosen to appeal both to audience and to singers: December 2024 - JS Bach Christmas oratorio parts 1,2,3 March 2025- Mozart Requiem and Solemn Vespers July 2025 – Choral works by Vivaldi During each term of rehearsals approximately 30-40 members took part, learning the music, preparing for performance and benefitting physically and psychologically from the experience of taking part in a communal, creative and fulfilling experience. Rehearsals were live- streamed for the benefit of the “Home Singers” and also for those who for any reason could not attend the rehearsal. As well as people who were away because of illness this was beneficial to less mobile members who did not feel safe to venture out in poor weather conditions. In total the audience numbered approximately 1000 between the three concerts and on each occasion they expressed their enjoyment enthusiastically. We included a chamber orchestra for each concert, and young professional or student soloists. The opportunity for young |
soloists to perform with a choir and orchestra in front of an appreciative audience and in a good concert hall is important for their development as singers and is appreciated by them and by their tutors; their enthusiasm and commitment is a great delight for the audience and other performers.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Accounts examined and approved by Jeremy Wong |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves are retained to allow the choir to continue operating at times when expenditure exceeds income. Since the covid-19 pandemic, our income has been much decreased and the expenditure of some of our reserves has allowed continued singing opportunities while minimising the increase in subscriptions, to encourage members to remain connected to the choir. During 2024-2025, an unexpected increase in audience numbers resulted in a considerable increase in our financial reserve. If this very welcome increase continues it will allow us to reduce subscriptions or widen our repertoire of concert material. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £10,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Currently our reserves are sufficient to allow us to continue operating with our decreased membership for 2025-2026 and beyond. We have decided to invest some of our reserves into putting on concerts with orchestra, to support these instrumental musicians and to encourage singers and audience to return. Our survival depends on rebuilding our membership, which is adversely affected by the general trend away from regular leisure-time commitment. This particularly affects those of working and child-raising age who are struggling to cope with busier schedules. This is the age-group we particularly need to attract, in order to address the overall ageing of our membership. Encouragingly, we have been able to attract several younger new members in the last year. Membership is also partly dependant on continuing decrease in Covid-19 prevalence because of the risk of transmission by singing. We have several members struggling to continue |
because of Long Covid.
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 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 adopted 2016 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association |
| 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 appointed by election at the AGM or can be co-opted by the committee of 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 | Online Safeguarding training, as recommended by Making Music, completed by each trustee. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational |
| structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Collegium Laureatum |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | n/a |
| Registered charity number | 1169986 |
| Charity’s principal address | c/o 93 Hurst Park Avenue Cambridge CB4 2AB |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorna Cox | Chair | |||
| Jane Fellows | Treasurer | Until 25 November 2024 | ||
| PhilipBlakely | Treasurer | |||
| Sarah Smalley | Secretary | |||
| David Hathaway | ||||
| Anne Craig | Until 1 September 2024 | |||
| Neil Caplan | ||||
| Ann Prentice | ||||
| Eleanor Pippard | ||||
| Peter Radden | ||||
| TonySpring | Until 17 February2025 | |||
| Hannah Mitchell | ||||
| Nicola Lythgoe |
– 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 n/a held in this capacity
Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Auditor | Jeremy Wong | 59 Bridle Way Grantchester CB3 2NY |
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)
Philip Martin Blakely Full name(s) Lorna Jean Cox ~~ee~~ Position (eg Secretary, Chair Treasurer Chair, etc) ~~ee~~ Date 7[th] December 2025 6 December 2025 ~~|~~
COLLEGIUM LAUREATUM INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1st August 2024 to 31st July 2025
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OPENING BALANCE IN HAND £15,831.65
Add: INCOME FOR YEAR
Members' Subscriptions £11,965.00
Concert - Ticket Sales £18,270.87
Programme Sales and Adverts £779.63
Sponsorships £0.00
Music - Hire and Buy £560.20
Music - deposits, folders £124.10
Donations £3,478.28
Social events £376.00
Workshops £0.00
Charity Donations (MSF) £280.00
HMRC Gift Aid £202.35
Misc £2.55
Total Income £36,038.98
Less: EXPENDITURE DURING YEAR
Concert Costs
Music - Purchase & Hire £875.12
- Misc - deposits; folders £107.10
Concerts: Hire of Venues £3,875.31
Box Office Commission £21.78
Orchestra Expenses £7,414.12 (incl. £50 from 2023/24)
Organist/Harpsichord + hire/tuning £1,100.00
Orchestral Music £136.25
Hire of Instruments £0.00
Soloists £4,022.34
Extra Tenors £0.00
Publicity £277.05
Printing (Posters, Tickets, Programmes) £1,437.21
Misc concert expenses £285.98
Total Concert Costs £19,552.26
Rehearsal Costs
Accompanist at Rehearsals £1,051.20
Hire of Rehearsal Rooms £2,990.00
Workshops £400.00
Music Director's Honorarium and Travel costs £6,013.00
Recruitment Posters etc £40.00
MakingMusic Mem'ship & Insurance £660.62
Charities (MSF) £280.00
Social events £590.00
Items to be written off £0.00
Admin & Misc Expenses £1,011.45
Total Rehearsal Costs £13,036.27
Total Expenditure £32,588.53
Net Income £3,450.45
Bank Balance
£ 15,831.65 Opening Balance at 01/08/2024
Representing: £ 15,881.65 Cash at Bank 01/08/2024
less £ 50.00 Unpaid cheque cashed 7/10/2024
£ 15,831.65 Effective balance 1/8/2024
Net income 2024/25 £ 3,450.45
£ 19,332.10 Cash at Bank 31/07/2025
Cash at Hand £ 60.00 Float for concerts
Total monies £ 19,392.10
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COLLEGIUM LAUREATUM INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1st August 2024to 31stJuly 2025 OPENING BALANCE IN HAND £15.831.6S Add.. INCOME FOR YEAR Members. Subscripti5 Concert- Ticket Sales Prograwme Salts and Adverts Sponsorships Music- Hire and Buy Music- depo&ts. fokler5 Dorialions Sooal event5 Woik5hops Charity Dcnalions IMSFI HMRC Gift Aid ML5C Total Income £11.965.00 £18.270.87 £779.63 Eo_oo £560.20 £124.10 £3.478.28 £376.00 £0.00 £280.00 £202.35 £2.55 £36.038.98 Less EXPENDITURE OURING YEAR Concert Cost5 Music- Purchase & Hire Misc- deposits.. fde5 Concerts." Hire of VenLtes Box OffiGe CommissyJn Orchestra Expenses OrganisUHatP5ithord + hireAuning Orchestral Musi Hir8 of InstNments Soloists Extra Tenors Publitity Printing (Posters. Tickets, Prograrnrne51 Misc concert ex enses Total Concert Costs £875.12 E107.10 rJ.875.31 £21.78 £7.414.12 (Inc5. £50 from 20231241 £1,100.00 £136.25 £0.00 £4.022.34 £0.00 £277.05 £1,437.21 £285.98 È19.552.26 Rehearsal Costs AcrA)Tnpanist al Rehears8Ls ire of Rehearsal Rooms Wotkshops Music DireGttrfs Honorarium and Travel tosls Recruitment P05tefS 8tc Makingmusic Mern'ship & Insuran(* Charilitrs IMSFI Social &vents Items lo b8 wrillen off Admin & Misc Ex enses Total Rehearsal Co$ts £1.051.20 £2.990.00 £400.00 £6,013.00 £40.00 1660.62 £280.00 £590.00 £0.00 El.011.45 £13,036.27 Total Expenditure £22.588.53 Net Income £3.450.45 Bank Balance 15.831.65 Opening Balance at 01108r2024 Representlng= 15.881.65 Cash at Bank OflOB12024 50.00 unpa Ghequé cashed 711012024 15.831.65 EffeGtiV• balan 118r2024 Net sncorne 2024125 3.450.45 19.332.10 Cash at Bank 3110712025 Cash at Hand 60.00 Float fot con¢erts Totsl monies 19.392.10 Z f9 6L(DL6 bjfvy, 4l51£.0Am8s CA 3 ?hJY .