2024-07-31-accounts - The Stanmore Choral Society

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Stanmore Choral Society Annual Report 2023-24

Stanmore Choral Society

Registered CIO No. 1174548

Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements Year ending 31[st] July 2024

Trustees and administration

The Society is managed by a committee whose members constitute the Trustees of the charity.

The Trustees for 2023-24:

Frances Goldingay (Chair), second re-appointment 20[th] November 2023 Dagmar Steffelbauer, appointed 19[th] January 2022

Robert Stonehouse, re-appointed 19[th] January 2022 Judy Walker, appointed 26[th] September 2022

Bridie Williams, re-appointed 2[nd] November 2020

Lucy Wei, appointed 20[th] November 2023

Musical Director

Alexander Turner

Management

The Stanmore Choral Society is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated

Organisation governed by a constitution (Association Model having Members in addition to Trustees) and registered by the Charities Commission on 7[th] September 2017

The trustees are appointed by the membership, normally at the AGM, to serve for a fixed term of office as specified in the constitution.

Stanmore Choral Society Annual Report 2023-24

Objectives

The objectives of the Stanmore Choral Society are the study and practice of choral music in order to foster the public knowledge and appreciation of such music by means of public performance.

- Performances of Choral Music during 2023 24

Saturday 4[th] November 2023

‘An die Musik’

Haydn Little Organ Mass Brahms Geistliches Lied Mendelssohn Hear my prayer Hensel In Autumn Schumann Abendfeier in Venedig Mozart Laudate Dominum (Vespers), Ave verum corpus

Sunday 3[rd] December 2023 Christmas Concert

Holst Christmas Day

Carols with audience participation

Saturday 23[rd] March 2024

‘St Nicolas’ Benjamin Britten St Nicolas Haydn Missa Sancta Nicolai

Saturday 29[th] June 2024

‘Down to the Sea’

Parry Crossing the Bar Sumsion They that go down to the sea in ships Stanford Songs of the Fleet McDowall Ave Maris Stella Arr. Paterson Tom Bowling Gilbert & Sullivan Songs from HMS Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance

Stanmore Choral Society Annual Report 2023-24

Activities and achievements for the year

In the 2023-4 season, the choir has enjoyed singing a range of varied and imaginative music, with some delightful soloists. Alexander has continued to help us to forge links with local churches and to explore local music history.

The first performance of the year, held at our usual venue St Mary the Virgin, Kenton, was a celebration of German composers, featuring the Haydn Little Organ Mass . There were songs from Fanny Hensel and Clara Schumann, and choir favourites such as Hear my Prayer by Mendelssohn and Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart. Isabelle Palmer, the soloist, performed several solo songs as well as performing the solos in ensemble pieces with the choir.

The Christmas Concert featured Holst’s Christmas Day, and in the inviting atmosphere of St Mary’s, there was a programme of readings and plenty of traditional carols with audience participation. Add to that the wine and mince pies, and it’s not surprising that this is a firm favourite amongst the choir’s supporters.

For the spring concert, the programme focused on two very different takes on the legends surrounding St Nicholas from Benjamin Britten and Haydn. James Beddoe was the soloist, and instrumentalists from the Royal Academy supported young musicians from Brent Music Service, who provided orchestral backing. Young singers, also from Brent Music Service, played their part, notably in the roles of the pickled boys returned to life by the saint. Britten’s work explores the many legends and stories about the life of St Nicholas, some of which have entered our Christmas traditions.

For the final concert of the year, ‘Down to the Sea’ , the choir was delighted to be welcomed to the church of St John the Evangelist in Stanmore. The choir owes its origins to a group from the church, who in 1946 decided that they wanted to start a new choir for Stanmore village.

The concert had a maritime theme, with some moving songs such as Ave Maris Stella , a modern setting by Cecilia McDowall, and Sumsion’s traditional setting of They that go down to the sea in ships. The concert also celebrated the local link with W. S. Gilbert, the librettist of Gilbert and Sullivan fame. He lived locally, at Grim’s Dyke, and his grave is in the churchyard of St John’s. The soloist for the concert, Samuel Morton Morris, sang movingly but also showed his versatility in his characterful rendering of I am the very model of a modern Major General, much enjoyed by the audience.

It has been a great pleasure to work this year under the musical direction of Alexander Turner. He provided plenty of inspiration and encouragement and has encouraged both the exploration of local musical links, and brought in young musicians to work with the choir. He has introduced a range of talented young soloists, and we appreciate his musicianship and skill. James MooneyDutton has continued to support the choir expertly in rehearsals and performances, for which we are very grateful.

Weekly rehearsals continue to be held in the Church Hall at St William of York, where the hospitality of Father Jonathan Goodall is much appreciated.

The choir members have supported a range of fundraising activities including a day out on the Grand Union canal and a very popular quiz night. As always, members step up to help keep everything running both from week to week and on concert days – their help is greatly appreciated. Membership continues to be a concern, and recruitment will continue to be a priority.

Stanmore Choral Society Annual Report 2023-24

Financial Review

In 2023-24, with the membership standing at 30, compared to 35 the previous year, the income from subscriptions did not cover the cost of rehearsals. Apart from reduced income from subscriptions, the smaller membership had an effect on ticket sales and other sources of income.

Our Musical Director and Assistant Musical Director generously continued to cover both rehearsal roles when required for a small extra fee. This represents a saving to the choir.

For each of the two Autumn term concerts, St Mary’s put up their fee for using the church from £150 to £220 to cover increased energy costs. The first concert, ‘An die Musik’, unfortunately did not have a large audience and so incurred a deficit of over £300. The Christmas concert was popular as always – many ticket sales being made on the night – and even with a ticket price of only £10 still made a surplus.

The Spring concert ‘St Nicolas’ was a great musical success and was very well attended with an audience of over 130. However, as a significant number of tickets for Brent Music Service supporters were heavily subsidised, the concert incurred a deficit of over £300. The Summer term concert, held at St John’s Stanmore, made a surplus of over £100. This was partly thanks to St John’s offering us a reduced rate of £75 for use of the church.

As last year, Gift Aid was claimed on eligible donations made within the financial year 2023-24, with the aim of giving an accurate reflection of the choir’s income for the year. Previously, Gift Aid was often claimed retrospectively making it difficult to assess the impact of Gift Aid on the choir’s income in a particular year.

It was agreed last year to expand the range of fund-raising events. So, in 2023-24, a quiz and a canal trip were organised, which between them made over £1000. In addition, the usual fundraisers - raffle and refreshments at rehearsals, cake sales and Harrow Wins – made over £300.

Despite the lower membership and with the concerts incurring a small deficit overall this year, disregarding the returned Gift Aid overpayment the income from all sources almost covered expenditure, with a trivial net deficit . This was thanks to the members’ generous donations, ticket-selling and fund-raising efforts and to our Musical Director for keeping costs low whilst providing a year of interesting concert programmes. Thanks also to Alex and James for their support in many different ways throughout the year.

It was agreed to raise subscriptions and our musicians’ rehearsal fees by 2% for next year, which was approximately the rate of inflation as at August 2024.

Declaration

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Frances Goldingay, Chair.

Signature:

Date: 30 October 2024

Stanmore Choral Society Annual Report 2023-24

	BALANCE SHEET As at: ASSETS Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Net Current Assets RESERVES Represented by: Unrestricted fund Restricted fund Total reserves	31 July 2024 31 July 2023 £ 5,243 £6,575
		£5,243 £6,575
		£5,163 £6,495 £80 £80
		£5,243 £6,575

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting Practice These accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance for small charities.

2. Policy on Reserves The Society’s policy on reserves is to maintain a balance which is sufficient to preserve the financial viability of the Society in the event that one of its concerts is a failure due to unforeseen circumstances. This is currently set at £3000.

3. Restricted Fund In 2019, the choir received donations for the purpose of hiring an organ to accompany the Spring Concert. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown the Spring 2020 concert was cancelled and the donated fund was carried forward. Part was used for a similar purpose at a subsequent concert. The donors have consented that the remainder can be (i) used for a similar purpose at a future concert or (ii) transferred to the General Fund.

4. Concert financial analysis Income	Autumn	Christmas	Spring	Summer	TOTAL

Ticket sales	917	1,000	1,940	1,281	£5,138
Programme sales	40	0	63	45	£148
Refreshment donations	58	36	136	7	£237
Other	-	162*	-	-	£162
Total Income	£1,015	£1,198	£2,139	£1,333	£5,685
Expenditure
Conductor	394	394	394	394	£1,576
Accompanist	320	320	320	320	£1,280
Venue	220	220	150	75	£665
Soloists & Musicians	300	100	1,322	350	£2,072
Programmeprintng	18	0	28	20	£66
Advertising	28	34	35	30	£127
Refreshment expenses	13	26	33	21	£93
Other	47^	40^^	232**	-	£319
Total Expenses	£1,340	£1,134	£2,514	£1,210	£6,198

GRAND TOTAL	-£325	£64	-£375	£123	-£513

Christmas concert raffle ^Piano Tuner, soloists' gifts **Musicians’ music hire, soloists' gifts ^^Soloists gifts

Stanmore Choral Society Annual Report 2023-24

5. Financial Management The Society’s financial governance policies and procedures require that:

(i) all committee members sign the HM Revenue & Customs “Fit for Purpose Declaration Form”;

(ii) no person can be one of the two signatories on a cheque for which they are the payee;

(iii) online payments require authorisation by two people;

(iv) the committee see the up-to-date bank statement at each committee meeting;

(v) the Chair and the Secretary have online access to the Bank account at all times.

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Stanmore Choral Society (Registered CIO No. 1174548)

Opinion

In my opinion, the Stanmore Choral Society financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 July 2024; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

I have audited the financial statements included within the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements, which comprise: the balance sheet as at 31 July 2024; the statement of financial activity; and the notes to the financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

I conducted the audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion.

Independence

I remained independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the financial statements in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as applicable to other entities of public interest, and I have fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

I have not provided no non-audit services to the charity in the period under audit.

Activities and Achievements for the year and Financial Review

In my opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Activities and Achievements for the year and Financial Review for the year ended 31 July 2024, is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, I did not identify any material misstatements in the Activities and Achievements for the year and Financial Review.

Responsibilities of the Trustees for the financial statements

The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The Trustees are also responsible for such internal control as they deem necessary, to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Stanmore Choral Society Annual Report 2023-24

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

My objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but, is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

Use of this Report

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the charities trustees as a body in accordance with Part 8 Chapter 1 of the Charites Act 2011 and for no other purpose. I do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save, where expressly agreed by my prior consent in writing.

Paul Marriner (FCCA) 11 Franklyn Road Walton-on-Thames Surrey, KT12 2LF Date: 21 November 2024