Minutes of the 6th Annual General Meeting of The Dartington Community Choir (reg. no. 1172585) held on Monday 16[th] October 2023 at The Great Hall, Dartington, at 7.00pm.
Present:
Chairman: Roger Robinson Treasurer: Robyn Roberts Secretary: Margaret Bonner Committee Members: Cath Collins, Daphne Driver, Juliet Hancock, Wendy Newman, Teresa Stubbs, Mona Thorogood.
The chairman welcomed the assembled members and declared that those members as recorded in the choir registers for 16th October 2023, being more than 12 in number, represented more than an adequate quorum.
1. Apologies for absence
A pologies were recorded from Martyn Johnson.
2. Minutes of the last AGM:
The minutes of the fifth Annual General Meeting of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation held on 14[th] November 2022 had been circulated in advance and copies were available for inspection by all members of the choir during the evening. There were no matters arising nor any discrepancies noted. The adoption of the minutes was proposed by Roger Robinson and seconded by Cath Collins and the minutes were accordingly adopted on a show of hands, with no dissenting votes or abstentions.
3. Reports and accounts
a. Chairman’s report given by Roger Robinson
“And what a fantastic, roller-coaster 40[th] Anniversary year we have had! Our two big programmes were so spectacular we performed each one twice!
With Dvorak’s The Spectre’s Bride, we really told the story with the aid of our amazing Dartington Sinfonietta, leader Mary Eade, soloists Catherine Hamilton (soprano) as The Bride, David Webb (tenor) as The Spectre and Freddie Long (bass) as the Narrator (a taxing role, ably delivered, despite illness!) And, of course, …the Puppets! Many thanks to John Roberts for his imaginative marionettes and their depiction of the action! This was an ambitious project for John’s company, PuppetCraft as well as the choir! We were grateful for the financial support of the Wakefield Trust, Arts Council England and the Dvorak Society, plus private donations. The new English libretto was a version that our then MD, Simon Capet, had written with Mollie Kaye. Tim Dollimore arranged the video projection of the puppets onto the back wall of the Great Hall which immeasurably enhanced the audience’s enjoyment of the production! He also edited the 4-5 terabytes of film into a version which was shown at a very successful social evening at St John’s Bridgetown in February of this year: we were able to view the glorious puppetry (at last!) and hear our (equally glorious!) efforts!
The Christmas Season allowed us to contribute to Dartington’s celebrations with the Dartington Christmas Cracker, in collaboration with the Dartington Playgoers. On two evenings we also invited the drinkers in in the White Hart to join us lustily with carol singing. A snap freeze in the weather curtailed our carol singing at the Cider Press Centre. Mainly tenors and basses made it over the treacherous ice – and it was novel hearing the descants sung by these lower parts!
Carol Robinson and Robyn Roberts provided us with another wonderful workshop in February of this year. Tori Longdon of the Stay-at-Home Choir coached us impeccably to be able to perform Duruflé’s Requiem in Buckfast Abbey in the evening. The solo cello was played by Finn Gonski and the vocal solos were bravely sung by our own Harriet Barlow and Matt Hulbert: we were accompanied on the
splendid Ruffati organ by Robert Pecksmith. Tori was so impressive that she was invited back to give the recent Vocal Health Workshop and next February’s annual workshop at Buckfast.
So, to our celebrity concert this spring. In 2020, Covid struck just as we were preparing Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony and Stanford’s Songs of the Fleet for two concerts with Roddy Williams, the internationally renowned baritone. This was to coincide with the South-West’s Mayflower 400 celebrations. Roddy generously agreed to come down to Dartington to join us this year. He filled the Great Hall with audience, voice, and charisma – his presence (together with our rigorous rehearsing in the preceding term!) lifted us to a new level of attainment! There was a synergy generated between Roddy and Catherine Hamilton who gave a celebrity performance in the taxing soprano solo role in the Vaughan Williams. Simon’s reworking of the score of A Sea Symphony for chamber orchestra was a masterpiece, which Dartington Sinfonietta played magnificently.
Our four concerts at Dartington this season really were stand-out achievements in the choir’s entire illustrious career!
Sadly, we lost two members, both basses, last season. Don Patterson was one of those characters that could fill a room with his booming voice! A doctor with an incredible career in many branches of medicine, he had a salient opinion on anything and everything and was a luminary at the postrehearsal mandatory rehydration sessions in the White Hart Bar with his wit and erudition. David Ewins, Fellow of the Royal Society, Professor of engineering at Imperial College London, had a vibration named after him! He contributed to the committee serving as both treasurer and chairman: we were privileged to have had the wisdom and expertise of such an amazing brain.
A word about our recently departed MD Simon Capet: the effort of fulfilling his role took its toll on his health. His condition, a result of an abreaction to the Astra Zeneca Covid vaccine, was not improving and as a result he felt he had to resign the post of MD to give him a chance to manage his recovery. We offer him our sincere thanks, not only for delivering these astounding performances this Anniversary season but for eight astonishing years teaching, enthusing, and encouraging us with varied and novel additions to our repertoire. I heard from him recently and it seems with a new somewhat strict regime of diet and exercise he has made some improvement! We send him our sincere wishes that his recovery continues!
We were able to celebrate Simon’s achievements at our 40[th] Anniversary Celebration concert and party in July when we entertained invited guests with a selection of pieces representing the choir’s repertoire over the last 40 years. Thanks go to Shona and Patrick Morley, Anne Beatty and all the others for putting together a spectacular display of photographs, banners and programmes turning the Great Hall into a vibrant tribute to everything the choir had done over four decades! Simon was presented with gifts and a splendid cake artistically decorated by Wendy Newman. Choir and guests enjoyed a glass or two of fizz and delicious nibbles, provided by our members, as they enjoyed reminiscing about the past 40 years.
I would like thank Peter Hunt who gallantly offered to step in should we not be able to find an interim MD. Peter has now left the choir to pursue other choral conducting ventures.
We did find an interim MD in Simon Dunbavand, who is masterfully coaching us through Brahms’ Requiem and Song of Destiny. We look forward to a wonderful concert this November with Catherine Hamilton (who seems to be our resident soprano soloist!) and Darren Jeffery, baritone. This will be accompanied by Ian Curror and our own Clare Talbot, piano duet. The soloists are also contributing to this concert with lieder by Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Wolf.
Christmas sees us taking part in the Rowcroft Carol Service and performing our Dartington Christmas Cracker with members of the Dartington Playgoers. In spite of the uncertainly surrounding the Dartington Trust, we are also hoping to provide Christmas cheer by singing carols in the White Hart bar and at the Cider Press Centre once more.
Next term, we will prepare Verdi’s Requiem for performance in April 2024. This will be with the Dartington Sinfonietta and soloists Catherine Hamilton, soprano, Martha McLorrinen, mezzo, Peter Davoren, tenor, and bass Freddie Long.
We will hold our annual summer party in July, to showcase our summer singing (programme tba.)
Looking to the 2024-25 season we hope to include a Matthew Coleridge premier at the Spring 2025 workshop in Buckfast Abbey and Bach’s St Matthew Passion in the Great Hall in April.
Now we must not forget that DCC does not just magically happen – it depends upon the efforts of our industrious committee, and I would like to thank all those who carry out the various functions.
Our constitution limits committee terms of office to a maximum of six years, and this year the committee says goodbye to Mona Thorogood, librarian, Juliet Hancock, membership secretary, Chris Batten, archivist, and Cath Collins.
Librarians are often the unsung heroines of any choir. Mona has produced the scores despite the thorns and prickles that can get in the way of finding these often-elusive editions! Well done and many thanks Mona!
Juliet has agreed to advise the incoming membership secretary how to keep the books straight and carry out the pastoral touches which make this choir truly a community! Thanks for maintaining this vital function, Juliet!
Chrissie not only leaves the committee but has decided that now is the time for her to leave the choir. We offer many thanks for the years of service she has given the choir, and we look forward to seeing her at future concerts in the less taxing role of a member of our audience!
Cath has been a past membership secretary and remained on the committee to give of her wisdom as well as helping Juliet in her early career as membership secretary. Thank you, Cath!
I am very grateful that some committee members remain!
Wendy Newman has hit the ground running as concert manager, ably helped by Teresa Stubbs. This is why our concerts go like clockwork, even if on the day it looks like the mainspring has boinged out of the case – these two always seem to find a way to stuff it back in! Wendy’s work is a continuous function throughout the year including regular meetings with the Dartington Arts department, ensuring the preparatory tasks are proceeding adequately. Thank you, Wendy, and Teresa.
Daphne Driver has been shadowing Mona and gradually taking over or, more properly, returning to the role of librarian (yes, she has done this job before!) Thank you for making the transition so smooth Daphne!
Where would we be without Robyn as treasurer? Falling into the role as she did when David Ewins was too ill to continue, she has had a tough task to keep the hatch battened down on expenses especially during our 40[th] Anniversary year programme, but somehow keeps us solvent! Thank you, Robyn!
Last year, the then Secretary Hilary Tuppen gave Margaret Bonner a thorough tutorial in how to keep me in order! And it worked! Her solicitor’s brain has helped us through the difficult moments we have experienced over the last 12 months. Margaret, thank you for keeping us all on an even keel!
We also have a pool of “elves” who contribute significantly to facilitate the committee members’ tasks!
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Matt Hulbert: our IT guru.
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Rob Frost for setting out the chairs (the way we want them!) sorting the banners and being a general good egg, fixing things when they fall apart!
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Stephen Boreham who continues to hold the choir library in his cellar.
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Sue Snell who delights us with her artistic flair in designing our posters and flyers.
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All those who man the desk at workshops welcoming delegates and distributing and collecting scores (and taking and returning the deposits!)
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Our team of altos who guide us onto the stage at each performance.
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All of you who contribute food and your time at our social events.
Two very important people need our thanks:
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Our accompanist, Clare Talbot’s musicianship contributes significantly to enable us to bring our programmes to performance – thank you Clare!
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Our newest Newbie, Simon Dunbavand has made an incredible start to this term with clear, focussed rehearsals, working us hard with a deft touch of humour: it bodes well for the future Simon! Thank you!
Thanks also to Dartington Trust, who allow us to use the Great Hall and other rehearsal spaces on Monday evenings; to Rose Bonner, our contact in the Arts Dept, to whom we sadly say goodbye, and to Adam Honeyman, the ultimate “can-do techie”. We know the Trust is undergoing a serious review and we will let you all know what is happening as soon as we are told.
And I thank you, the members, for continuing to support and enjoy our wonderful choir. We may face some challenges in the future, but we can be sure that the Dartington Community Choir has the confidence and strength to continue to build a sound future.”
b. Treasurer’s report 2021/2022 prepared by Robyn Roberts
INTRODUCTION
The accounts presented to this AGM of Charity Number 1172585 relate to the period September 1[st] , 2022, to August 31[st] , 2023. The format of the Accounts is in accordance with the presentation model recommended by the Charity Commission. The Accounts have been examined and signed by the Independent Examiner and a copy of the accounts has been made available to all members of the Choir. The financial objectives of the charity for this period were as follows:
• To control costs, wherever possible, while maintaining the highest possible standards of performances
• To maintain reserves at a level commensurate with the agreed reserves policy
• To pursue additional sources of income, wherever possible.
Overall financial status: at the start of the 2022 -23 season the total assets were £52,963.21 and at the end of the season the assets stand at £36,054.40.
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS
Membership subs were set at a rate of £160 for those joining in September and £110 for those who joined in January. Summer singers paid £50. The total came to £18,606.
The tax recovered from Gift Aid was £3,937.77 and interest paid on the two CAF bank savings accounts (Gold plus Scottish Widows) totalled £516.58.
Net income from concerts was: The Spectre’s Bride £3,118.60, Christmas Cracker £1,140.26, Workshop concert £562.50 and the Sea Symphony £3,058.93 giving a total of £7,880.29.
Receipts from the sale of music, lights and folders was £1,229.
A grant of £1,000 was received from the Dvorak Society for the Spectre’s Bride project with Puppetcraft. £240 was donated by Dartington for carol singing and other donations totalled £160. Donations for drinks at the film showing of the Spectre’s Bride concert came to £100.
The Duruflé Requiem Workshop fees yielded £4,762.
Subscriptions paid in for the year 2023-24 not included in these receipts (but included in total assets) came to £15,760.
Total receipts for the accounting period: £38,431.64
SUMMARY OF PAYMENTS
Payments fall into three categories: (i) professional fees to the Music Director and the Accompanist for rehearsals, (ii) general running costs for the Choir and (iii) Concerts costs – soloists, conductor, orchestra, technicians, programmes.
The total of these three categories forms the basis for the membership subscription rate.
i) Professional rehearsal fees to the MD and accompanist: £8,637
ii) General running costs of the choir :
Music purchase (Carols and Summer Music) and hire costs (Sea Symphony, Songs of the Fleet, Duruflé Requiem, orchestral scores) £3,242.04.
Insurance: £418 Travel £4,140.50
Sundries/printing/postage £769.14 Advertising and publicity £2,069.80
Venue hire (St Johns) £466.75 Capital Exp/IT £556
Bank Charges £60 Other purchases/folders/lights £898.55
Total payments for general running costs £12,620.74
iii) Concert costs:
Professional fees £24,436.45 Technicians/programmes £1,517
Compensation to soloists for cancelling Beethoven Missa Solemnis £1,600
Total concert costs £ 27,553.45
Workshop costs £3,959.22 Payment to Puppetcraft £2,200
Total Payments for the accounting period: £54,970.45
Net payments: £16,538.81
Given that it was the 40[th] Anniversary year of the choir in which two performances of each of two costly concerts, The Spectre’s Bride in collaboration with Puppecraft and Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony with Roderick Williams as soloist, it was expected that the expenditure would exceed income. It is anticipated that next year’s expenditure will again exceed income, but reserves will be maintained at a level which will be equal to approximately 12 months’ expenditure in accordance with our policy.
Copies of the financial accounts for 2022-2023 had been circulated in advance, having been checked and examined by IAW Financial Services, Brixham. There were no questions posed on the accounts by any member in advance of, or during, the meeting. Adoption of the accounts was proposed by Margaret Bonner and seconded by Juliet Hancock. The members agreed on a show of hands to adopt the accounts for 2022/2023. There were no votes against and no abstentions
4. Appointment of auditors (examiners)
It was proposed that IAW Financial Services, Brixham, be appointed as examiners for the financial year 2023/2024 and that the charity trustees be authorised to set their fee. The resolution was proposed by Mona Thorogood and seconded by Daphne Driver. The resolution was agreed on a show of hands. trustees were There were no votes against and no abstentions.
5. Appointment of Charity Trustees
a. Margaret Bonner had served three years as a trustee and sought re-election, which had been proposed by Robyn Roberts and seconded by Shona Morley. The resolution was put to the meeting and Margaret was unanimously re-elected as a trustee and a member of the management committee for another three-year period.
b. Diana Wharton had been nominated to serve three years as a trustee and sought election. She had been proposed by Mona Thorogood and seconded by Margaret Bonner and was unanimously elected as a trustee and a member of the management committee for a three-year period.
c. Sebastien Pigott had been nominated to serve three years as a trustee and sought election. He had been proposed by Jennie Crickmay and seconded by Roger Robinson and was unanimously elected as a trustee and a member of the management committee for a three-year period.
d. Rachel Bridgman had been nominated to serve three years as a trustee and sought election. She had been proposed by Wendy Newman and seconded by Hilary Tuppen and was unanimously elected as a trustee and a member of the management committee for a three-year period.
e. Kate Cameron had been nominated to serve three years as a trustee and sought election. She was proposed by Roger Robinson and seconded by Daphne Driver and was unanimously elected as a trustee and a member of the management committee for a three-year period.
f. Since the Notice of AGM had been circulated to members, Carolyn Stewart had been nominated to serve three years as a trustee and sought election. She had been nominated by Clare Hargreaves and seconded by Roger Robinson and was unanimously elected as a trustee and member of management committee for a three year period.
There were no further nominations.
Roger reiterated that new committee members would be welcomed at any time and that the choir will be actively seeking new trustees next autumn when two of the existing committee members, Chairman and Treasurer, will be retiring.
6. Members proposed resolutions
No resolutions had been received from the members.
7. Any other business
Matt Hulbert proposed a vote of thanks to the trustees and committee members for their dedicated management of the choir during the past year, and members warmly acknowledged their gratitude.
There being no other business the meeting concluded at 7.20 p.m.
Signed by the Chairman as an accurate account of the meeting.
Roger Robinson
……………………………………………….…………………………………………….
DARTINGTON COMMUNITY CHOIR
Charity Number: 1172585
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the period 1/2022 to 31/8/2023
RECEIPTS
| Subscriptions Concert income (after Dartington costs) Tax recovered - Gift Aid bank interest Sale of music Other income ( folders, pencils, lights) Grants/donations social events workshop subs workshop concert TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS |
18606.00 7317.79 3937.77 516.58 294.00 935.00 1400.00 100.00 4762.00 562.50 38431.64 |
|---|---|
| Professional fees for rehearsals Professional fees for concerts Venue hire - St Johns puppetcraft Publicity/advertising Music hire/purchase Making Music-Insurance Travel ( librarian, MD, performers) Sundries/printing/postage Other purchases ( folders, lights,pencils) Capital Expenditure/IT Concert expenses - progs, rostra Bank charges workshop expenses compensation to soloists for cancelled concert TOTAL PAYMENTS NET PAYMENTS Cah funds as at 01/09/22 Subscriptions 23-24 not included in receipts Investment funds at 01/09/22 Net payments Subscriptions paid in 2021-2022 Total assets as at 31/08/23 |
8637.00 24436.45 466.75 2200.00 2069.80 3242.04 418.00 4140.50 769.14 898.55 556.00 1517.00 60.00 3959.22 1600.00 54970.45 |
|---|---|
| 16538.81 | |
| 1557.33 15760.00 51405.88 -16538.81 -16130.00 36054.40 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 9/1/2022 CafCash account 00033296 interest rate 0.2% 1,557.33 Cafgold account 00084128 interest rate 2.05% 40,622.66 Scottish widows account interest rate 5% 10,783.22 Total Funds 52,963.21
There were no other assets or liabilities.
Robyn Roberts Treasurer
Examined and found correct Independent Examiner
813112023 736.32 24.246.25 11.071.83 36 054.40
IAWIGB/D124 Robyn Roberts I Venton Oak Cottage5 Dartlngton Totnes TQ9 6DW I.AW. AccourANCY SERVICE ACCOVNTAN15&BU51NES$ADVJSOR 28, September 2023 Dear Robyn Re: Dartington Community Choir Further to the information supplied to U5, 1 am pleased to enclose for your attention, sighed accounts in respect of year ended 31. Au8USt 2023. As can be seen. receipts totalled £38,431.64 and with expenditure of £54,970.45, there is a net payment situation of £16.538.81. One Sees, however, that the net position has impacted the Statement of Assets, as would be expeded, with total funds moving to £36,054.40 at 31 August 2023. We found all to be in order and, of course, the movement and retention of the Scottish Widow5 account with an interest rate of now 5% is excellent. Grosvenor House l New Road Brlxham Devon Should there be any further questions or queries that you have or items in need of clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerelv IAW ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES TQ5 8LZ T- 01803 855758 F: 01803 858585 w.iawaccouniancyxo.uk I WEBB ALSO AT." 5 Hyde Road Paignton Devon TQ4 5BW T.. 01803 470011 E.. wuntoro1Cc0utsn¢Y.c0. crtr Monag8mentA(wynt4Thts l.A. Webb A.C.M.A. C.G.M.A. M.C.l.M. G.R. Webb F.C.P.A. B.A.b.m. (Honsl V. Webb
DARTINGTON COMMUNITY CHOIR Charfty Number: 1172585 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS Accounts for the period 0110912022 to 3110812023 RECEIPTS Subscrlptions Concert income (after Dartington costsl Tax retovered- Glft Ald bank interest Sale of muslc Other income I folders, penclls,1Sghtsl Grants/donations social events workshop subs workshop concert TOTAL RECEIPTS 18,606.00 7,317.79 3,937.77 516.S8 294.00 935.00 1,400.00 Icx).00 4.762.00 562.50 38 431.64 PAYMENTS Professional fees for rehearsa15 Profèsslonal fees foi corscerts Venue hlrè- St Johns puppetcraft Publicityladvertising Music hirelpurchase Making Music-lnsurance Travel I librarian, MD, performersl Sundries/printing/p05ta8e Other purchase51 folders, Ilghts,pencllsl Capital Expenditure/lT Concert expenses- progs, rostra Bank charges workshop expenses compensation to soloists for cancelled concert 8,637.00 24,436.45 466.75 2,200.00 2.069.80 3,242.04 418.00 4,140.50 769.14 898.55 556.00 1,517.00 3.959.22 1,600.00 TOTAL PAYMENTS 54 970.45 NET PAYMENTS 16 538.81 Cèsh funds as at 01109122 Subscriptions 23-24 not included in rèceipts Inve5trnent funds at 01109122 Net payments Subscriptions paid in 2021-2022 Total assets as at 31108123 1,557.33 15.760.00 51,405.88 16.538.81 16,130.00
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 01109/2022 3110812023 Cafcash account 00033296 interest rate 0.2% Cafgold account (M)084128 interest rate 2.05% Scottish widows account Interest rate 5% Total Funds 1,557.33 40,622.66 10,783.22 52 963.21 736.32 24,246.25 11,071.83 Theie were no other assets or li?blllties. Robyn Roberts Treasurer Examined and found correct Independent Examiner IAWACCOUNTANCY SERVICE, GROSVENOR PtOUSE 1 NEW ROAD, BRIXHAM DEVON. TQ5 8LZ Tel-. 01803 855758 Fox.. 01803 858585 E4Do11.' inloQl•wMccount4ncy£ouk