Trustees Report 2021-22
Trustees
Ben Jennings Christopher Block Christina Leigh *Clive Block Alexa Cross (elected at 2021 AGM) Tom Kidman (elected at 2021 AGM)
*Clive Block resigned and was re-elected at the 2021 AGM.
Public Benefit
ln considering the strategies and policies of the Charity, the trustees have had due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission, in accordance with the Charities Act 2006. ln reviewing and developing Magna Sinfonia’s activities and future plans, careful consideration is given to the public benefit arising from the organisation’s work. Magna Sinfonia core activities encourage the enjoyment of, and participation in music by the public at large. The ticket prices for regular venues are currently £10 and £13 with a reduced price for under 18s of £2, the aim being that the Orchestra's live performances are widely accessible.
Reserves Policy
ln accordance with best practice and Charity Commission guidance the charity maintains reserves in order to provide for contingencies that may arise in the future and to act as a buffer. The trustees define free reserves to be unrestricted funds which have not been designated for specific purposes. The Magna Sinfonia policy is to have in reserve an amount equivalent to the total cost of an average production. In line with this, the reserve amount is set at £7.000.
Orchestra Development
The trustees remain committed to the original objective for the orchestra, which was to provide an exciting platform for high-quality musicians (amateur through to professional) to experience top-quality conductors, varied repertoire and a more focused, friendly setting in which to perform orchestral music. By maintaining this ethos, the orchestra has established a widely held reputation as Dorset’s premier amateur orchestra and has thrived.
Responsibility for the running of the orchestra and ensuring legal and Charity Commission compliance rests with the trustees, but the trustees may also co-opt members to assist with the running of the orchestra.
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AGM and Dvorak - Sunday 12[th] September 2021
Parkstone Grammar School, Sopers Lane, Poole, BH17 7EP.
Dvorak: The day began with Kevin Smith conducting rehearsals and playthrough of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 6.
This event made a net loss of £83
AGM: The meeting began at 2.30 pm and closed at 3.28 pm. In the absence of Chris Block, the Annual General Meeting meeting was chaired entirely by Ben Jennings who gave a summary of the 20-21 season and provided a report on the orchestra’s financial position.
The orchestra’s season and financial year runs from 1[st] October to 30[th] September and the report showed a surplus for the 2020-21 season of £592.11 with an additional £271.75 from Gift Aid to be claimed making total assets of £9,441.02.
2021-2022 Season
Saturday October 23[rd] -Sunday 24[th] 2021
Bournemouth School for Girls, Castle Gate Close, Bournemouth, BH8 9UJ
Project Weekend with rehearsals of Shostakovich Symphony 11 through Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday with a playthrough on Sunday afternoon in front of a limited audience. The conductor for the weekend was Maxine Tortelier.
Net financial loss on the event was £446
Saturday 12th February 2022 7:30pm
Parkstone Grammar School, Sopers Lane, Poole, BH17 7EP
Jubilee Concert: Commemorating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Handel (arr. Harty) | Music for the Royal Fireworks Vaughan-Williams | Suite for Viola and Orchestra Walton | Crown Imperial Maccunn | The Land of the Mountain and the Flood Elgar | Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 Elgar (arr. Payne) | Pomp and Circumstance March No. 6 Conductor: Jason Thornton Soloist: George White (violin)
Audience attendance was 120 Net financial loss £1,851
Weekend of 8[th] – 10[th] April 2022
Bournemouth School for Girls, Castle Gate Close, Bournemouth, BH8 9UJ
Easter Project Weekend A project weekend took place at Bournemouth School for Girls where rehearsals and Sunday afternoon playthrough of Mahler 4 was tackled in front of a limited audience. The conductor for the weekend was Maxine Tortelier.
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Saturday 2[nd] June 2022 Christchurch Priory, Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1BU
A Celebration of the Last Night of the Proms
Elgar| Cello Concerto Elgar | Pomp & Circumstance No. 1 Elgar | Nimrod Blake | Jerusalem Wood | Fantasia of British Sea Songs Carey | National Anthem Conductor: Simon Earl Soloist: Nigel Blomisley Audience attendance was 220 Net profit was £1,880
Saturday 2nd July 2022, 7:30pm Parkstone Grammar School, Sopers Lane, Poole, BH17 7EP
Nordic Wonders
Nielsen | Helios Overture Sibelius | Violin Concerto Nielsen | Symphony No. 2 (The Four Temperaments) Conductor: Peter Stark Soloist: Abel Puustinen (Violin)
Audience attendance was 61 Net loss was £2,035
Finance 2021-22 Season
A full financial report is published at the end of the season and presented at the AGM; however, it is clear that the orchestra will be in a poorer financial position than it was at the beginning with a loss encountered on all but one of the events and consequently a reduction in the orchestra’s reserves. The trustees are looking at the reasons behind this and also ways that similar losses can be reduced in the future.
Plans for the 2022-23 Season’s Programme
With Covid no longer restricting or delaying plans, the trustees have put in place a plan for the coming season. Of particular significance is the ambitious plan to perform at the Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts.
Saturday 15[th] October 2022 7.30 pm
All Saints Church, Castlemain Avenue, Southbourne, Bournemouth, BH6 5EH
Symphonie Fantastique
Dukas | Fanfare from La Péri Saint-Saëns | Cello Concerto No. 1 (soloist Hannah McFarlane) Berlioz | Symphonie Fantastique Conductor | Natalia Luis-Bassa
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Saturday 17th December 2022 3.00 pm
All Saints Church, Castlemain Avenue, Southbourne, Bournemouth, BH6 5EH
Classical Christmas Crackers: A family-friendly selection of festive music
Saturday 25[th] February 2023 7.30 pm
Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, 21 Kingsland Street, Poole, BH15 1UG
Carmina Burana
Adams | Short Ride in a Fast Machine Mussorgsky | Pictures at an Exhibition Orff | Carmina Burana
Friday 31[st] March – Sunday 2[nd] April 2023
Easter Project Weekend. Maxine Tortelier will conduct rehearsals beginning on Friday evening, concluding with a playthrough on Sunday afternoon. The music selected for the weekend is Mahler Symphony No. 5.
Saturday 24[th] June 2023 7.30 pm
All Saints Church, Castlemain Avenue, Southbourne, Bournemouth, BH6 5EH
Music from Stage and Screen
Bernstein | West Side Story Symphonic Dances plus other American repertoire.
Conductor | Pete Harrison
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2021-22 Season Accounts
Dvorak in a Day
EXPENSES: £ 454.25 INCOME: £ 371.02 END: -£ 83.23
Shostakovich Weekend
EXPENSES: £ 2,486.20 INCOME: £ 2,040.06 END: -£ 446.14
Jubilee Concert
EXPENSES: £ 4,969.66 INCOME: £ 3,118.71 END: -£1,850.95
Mahler Weekend
EXPENSES: £ 3,156.00 INCOME: £ 1,995.29 END: -£1,160.71
Priory Proms
EXPENSES: £ 920.00 INCOME: £ 2,800.00 END: £1,880.00
Nordic Concert
EXPENSES: £ 3,941.03 INCOME: £ 1,905.68 END: -£2,035.35
Administration
EXPENSES: £ 956.99 INCOME: £ 272.27 END: -£ 684.72
FoMS & Donations
EXPENSES: £ - INCOME: £ 948.56 END: £ 948.56
Gift Aid Claimable
Total: £ 1,130.76 to claim
Magna Sinfonia Account
Total Expenses: £ 16,884.13 Total Income: £ 13,451.59
OVERALL +/- -£ 3,432.54
OVERALL + GIFT AID -£ 2,301.79
HSBC Account £ 5,145.49
Petty Cash £ 434.16
TOTAL CAPITAL £ 5,579.65
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