LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 # Leighton Buzzard Festival Singers Season Report 2021-2022 1 LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 |**Contents**|**Page**| |---|---| |President and Vice-presidents|3| |Agenda for the annual general meeting|4| |Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2020|5| |List of Members (at April 2022)|7| |Trustees’ Reports|8| |Treasurer’s report|12| 2 LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 ## **President** Mr Philip Stopford ## **Vice-presidents** We are grateful to the following for their continued support as Vice-presidents during the 2021-2022 season Mr P Dickens Mr and Mrs J Oxley Dr and Mrs D Wray Mr R Watts 3 LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 ## Annual General Meeting 27[th] March 2023 ## Agenda 1. To receive apologies for absence 2. To approve the minutes of the 2021 Annual General Meeting held on January 17th 2022 3. To consider any matters arising 4. To confirm the appointment of Sam Huston as Musical Director, with effect from January 1st 2023, a review at 6 months 5. To receive the Annual Reports of the Trustees 6. To approve, subject to receipt of a satisfactory report from the independent examiner, the accounts for the year ending May 31st 2022 7. To consider a recommendation from the Management Committee on subscriptions for the season 2023-2024 8. To propose that Roger Chapman, Paul Dickens, Kathryn Emerson and Richard Watts, all of whom have indicated their willingness to continue in post, be reelected as Trustees 9. To consider electing further trustees 10. To confirm the re-election of the current President and the Vice-presidents 11. To consider the election of Mr Noel Woolford as a Vice-president 12. To appoint a responsible person to examine the accounts for 2022-2023 13. Any other business 4 LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 ## _**Minutes of the annual general meeting held at St Barnabas Church 17th January 2022**_ The meeting started at 19.30 at St Barnabas Church, Linslade. The chairman called the meeting to order and welcomed those attending the meeting. There were 21 members in attendance plus 6 members of the committee. ## **1. To receive apologies for absence** Anne Chapman, and Richard and Judith Watts sent their apologies. ## **2. To approve the minutes of the 2020 Annual General Meeting held on November 16[th] 2020** The meeting approved the minutes from the last meeting. ## **3. To consider any matters arising** There were no matters arising. ## **4. To receive the Annual Reports of the Trustees** The reports had been sent to members in advance. Roger Chapman let the members know that he has asked all the local schools to advertise the LBFS in all their staffrooms as part of our recruitment drive. Richard Watts sent a statement to be read out by the chairman congratulating the Festival Singers on the successful recent 70[th] Anniversary concert. He also thanked Roger Chapman for his role in the EGM and ensuring the choir’s continuation; Paul Dickens, David and Kathryn Emerson for taking on management roles; and Philip Stopford for his support as President and involvement in the November concert. Pauline Lyon endorsed Richard’s message particularly with regards to Roger’s contribution at the EGM. ## **5. To approve, subject to receipt of a satisfactory report from the independent examiner, the accounts for the year ending May 31[st] 2021** The accounts had been sent to members in advance. The accounts have been approved by Independent Examiner Mary Hardy. Proposed: Sally Johnston Seconded: Valerie Fielder 5 LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 All members agreed to approve the accounts. ## **6. To re-elect Richard Watts and Pauline Lyon as Trustees** Proposed: Jean Lawson Seconded: Margaret Oliver All members agreed to re-elect Richard and Pauline as Trustees ## **7. To consider electing further trustees** No members put themselves forward to be a trustee. The chairman encouraged members who would be interested in helping with the organisation of LBFS to speak to a member of the committee. ## **8. To confirm the re-election of the President and the Vice-presidents who have expressed a wish of continuing** It was noted that since the choir year 2020-21, Mr Smith has passed away and Mrs Smith has expressed a wish to step down as Vice-President. Proposed: Valerie Fielder Seconded: Sally Johnston All approved the re-election and thanks was recorded to the President and Vice-Presidents for their support. ## **9. To appoint a responsible person to examine the accounts for 2021-2022** Mary Hardy has agreed to examine the accounts next year and the members gave their thanks to Mary for continuing in that role. ## **10. Any other business** David Emerson discussed a proposed plan for the summer term with regards to singing on Sunday 7[th] August at Southwark Cathedral in August, and asked for interest from members. The chairman closed the meeting at 19:45 and thanked the members for attending. 6 LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 ## **LBFS Members – April 2022** Kathryn Emerson Margaret Oliver Kathy Guess Janice Wearmouth Sally Johnston Brian Bainbridge Jean Lawson Simon Beirne Christine Oliver Maurice Crowe Fay Smithson Graeme Lockhart Gill Tarbox Peter Mundy Judith Watts Alan Gomersall Jo Ayres Roger Chapman Anne Chapman Carl Moulding Valerie Fielder Alan Perrott Dorothy Fletcher Philip Titcombe Pauline Lyon John Tournay Rosalind Mennie Richard Watts Janet Miller Noel Woolford Leanne Morgan 7 LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** ## **2021-2022** ## **Trustees holding office during the year** Paul Dickens Roger Chapman Kathryn Emerson Pauline Lyon Richard Watts ## **President and Interim Musical Director’s report** It was my great pleasure to return to the UK after six years living in Bronxville, New York, USA and sharing the conducting podium with David Emerson for the 70th Anniversary Concert of the LBFS. David conducted a wonderful performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria, and it was a great joy for me to conduct the English premiere of my own Missa Deus Nobiscum. The concert with orchestra, held in St Barnabas on 27th November 2021 was extremely well attended and the first time an audience could be invited back after the global pandemic. On 2 April 2022, the LBFS presented the Platinum Jubilee Concert in celebration of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. David Emerson conducted a Royal feast of music including Handel’s Zadok The Priest, Parry’s I Was Glad, Vaughan Williams’ Lord Thou Hast Been Our Refuge and John Rutter’s effervescent Gloria accompanied by Milton Keynes Brass and organist John Wearmouth. The choir rose to the challenging programme and particularly the rhythmic complexities of the Rutter Gloria. Handel’s Messiah was the choice of music for the autumn concert held at All Saints Church on 26th November 2022, and it was my great pleasure to direct this performance. The choir was joined by soloists Helly Summerly, Anna Boucher, Benjamin Durrant and Edward Price all accompanied by the Aurelian Ensemble. There was a full house at All Saints Church and a joyful atmosphere as the choir completed a strong performance of this most famous choral work, with traditional audience participation in the Hallelujah Chorus. Following interviews and auditions, Mr Samuel Hudson was appointed Music Director beginning in January 2023. A concert of music celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III will take place on 29th April 2023 at St Barnabas Church. Philip Stopford 8 LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 ## **Chairman’s report** Well, what a start we had to the Festival Singers’ post-COVID era. The 70[th] anniversary concert in November 2021 was one to be truly proud of. David Emerson led the choir in some wonderful music (Vivaldi, Britten, Stainer and Mendelssohn) whilst our President, Philip Stopford, conducted his own Missa Deus Nobiscum, which was a joy to sing. On top of that, we had a very large audience and lots of kind words spoken about the concert afterwards. This concert followed a garden party in August 2021 organised by Pauline Lyon as a first tentative step by the choir towards meeting socially post-COVID. Our thanks to Pauline and Jim for that initiative. In September we held a successful “Come and Sing” event featuring songs from the shows and a bit of Gilbert & Sullivan. A second wonderful concert was given in April 2022, with another good audience and to further critical acclaim. This was a concert to celebrate Her late Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and included lots of jubilee related music (accompanied by John Wearmouth), together with John Rutter’s Gloria (accompanied by Milton Keynes Brass), all of which was much enjoyed by the singers. Reproduced below are an exchange of letters relating to this concert which will be of some interest to you, I am sure. Rounding off a busy year, we sang to the revellers in the High Street on May Day. Unfortunately, we were given an early slot when many of the revellers were still in bed, but it all seemed to go well and those that heard us seemed very appreciative. Numbers are on the increase and, altogether, the 2021/22 year witnessed the Festival Singers’ triumphant return to the music scene in Leighton Buzzard. Hurrah for that! Many thanks to all those who contribute to our success. Paul Dickens ## **Membership secretary’s report** The membership of the Choir at the end of May 2022 was 31 (soprano 8, alto 10, tenor 6, bass 7) and has continued to increase since that date. Further recruitment is central to the future success, both musical and financial, of the choir, especially if we are to perform much of the standard choral repertoire. Efforts to boost numbers have included sending recruitment posters to every school within the choir’s logical catchment area and to every parish office in addition to publicity at concerts of the Leighton Buzzard Music Club and in the Festival Singers own concert programmes, in local press and broadcast media. The Trustees will continue to work to attract new members. Roger Chapman 9 LBFS season report 2021- 2022 ￿1￿TIN BIIIIRD V Mr Paul Dicken5 Hockllffe Gran8e Hockliffe Lelghion 8uizard Bedfofd5hire LU7 9NL FESTIVAI SINGERS April 151h 2022 Her Majesty The Queen Buckingham Palace London SWIA IAA Your Majesty. l am wrltln8 as Chalrman of the Lel8hion Buzzard Festival Singers on behalf of the entlre Choir to offer our sincerest conBiatulations on Your MajestV5 Platinum Jubllee and In the hope and expectalion that it will be a happy, successful and memorable annlversary year. The Festival Singer5 Staged a concert on April 2. in celebratlon of thls remarkable Jubilee and the proEramme included a number of pleces which were performed ai Your Majestrfs Coronation in 1953. 1 Include a copy Of that pro8ramme. At the FEStival Sin8er5 we celebrated our own 70 Annlversary la>t year, havin8 been established as part of the wlder Impact of the Fe5tlval of 8rltaln. We are delighted to Include among our current members Mr Richard WJtt5 who was one of ihe Wesimlnsier Abbey chorlsters at Your Majest￿$ Coronarion and to report thai he rernalns In very Bood voice. A8ain, please accept the congratulations and warmest good w15hes of the Leighton Buzzard Festival Singers in thi5 Your majes1￿$ Platinum Jubilee year. Your5 Faithfully Mr Paul Dickens Chairman Chafirman Paul Dickens Kathryn Emer50n Membershlp Secretary Roger Chapman Treasurer Ros Mennie Registered CIO No 1178649 iu LBFS season report 2021- 2022 WINDSOR CASTLE The Leighton Bu7.7.ard Feslival .Singers The Queen wishes me to thank you very much foi your letter, and for Ihe kind.mes5age you sent un (he ULcasion of the seveniieth anniversary of Her Majesty s Acc&ssion to the Throne. The Queen was inieresied 10 see the programme Mr DiLkens enclosed, and to know something of your Platinum Jubilec Celebration, a st￿ClaI concert held on April 2 ai Si Bamabas Church, Linslade. Her Majesty was touched to learn ihat your group is a continuing legacy of the Festival of Britain, and ho￿5 YOU too enjoyed your seventieth anniversary celebrations lasl year. The Queen was delighted to hear that one of your number, Mr Richard Watts, a Westtninster Abbey chorisier on duty at Her Majesty's Coronation, remains in good voice to this day. The Queen is most gra(eful lo Mr Paul Dickens for wilting on behalf of you all, and l am to thank you again for your thoughtful words of support. Lady-in-waiting li LBFS season report 2021 - 2022 ## **Treasurer’s report for year 2020-2021** This was our first year back under normal conditions with two major concerts. It was therefore the first chance to show if the choir was financially viable since new management took over in 2020. This looked as if it was successfully achieved as we finished the year with a loss of only £500 which was acceptable given that we had over £7000 in the bank. During this year we held two concerts. The 70[th] Anniversary concert used an orchestra and therefore made a loss of £977. However, this was offset by a grant of £500 from the Leighton-Linslade Arts Forum and a generous grant of £1000 from Osborne, Morris and Morgan. The second concert, the April one celebration the Platinum Jubilee used MK Brass instead of an orchestra. The expenses were therefore much lower and we made a profit of £380. Hopefully the accounts are self-explanatory. The small amount of reserved funds appear because we failed to pay Alan Childs all the money that was raised for him – this was rectified in this financial year. There are two ways of making money for the choir that are not utilized as much as they should be. The first is gift aid – I have had no new registrations for this so the only claims I can make are for a few of pre-2020 members. I would urge any tax payer who has not filled in a gift aid form to do so. There is a form that can be used in the member’s area of the web site. Secondly we are now registered with easyfundfaising.org.uk. If you sign up for this with Leighton Buzzard Festival Singers as your nominated charity the choir will receive money for purchases you make on-line from a number of retailers. Please note that a lot has happened since the period this report covers including running a long summer season with no income but that will have to wait until the next AGM. Ros Mennie 12 ## **LEIGHTON BUZZARD FESTIVAL SINGERS INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022** |Note
**Incoming Resources**
Subscriptions and donations
Members
Fundraising Events
2
Grants and Gift Aid
Concert tickets, programmes & other receipt
Bank Interest
Other
3
**Total Incoming Resources**
**Resources Expended**
Hire of halls & rehearsal facilities
Music Hire and Purchase
Music Storage
Advertising & Publicity
Orchestra & Soloists
Musical Director
Rehearsal Accompanist
Insurance & Subscriptions
Sundry Concert Expenses
Postage & Printing
Fundraising Events
Other
3
President, Vice Presidents,
Friends|**2021-22**
**Total Funds**
£
£
£
3,681
_-_
3,681
100
_-_
100
28
_-_
28
1,500
_-_
1,500

5,186
-
5,186
0
-
0
93
0
93
**10588**
**0**
**10588**
1,522
-
1,522
147
-
147
441
-
441
0
-
0
3,643
-
3,643
2,430
-
2,430
1,850
-
1,850
250
-
250
478
-
478
273
-
273
0
-
0
-
62
18
80
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**||£
500
25
0
626
0
0
0
**1151**
120
53
0
0
0
420
300
275
0
0
0
146
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**| |---|---|---|---| |**Total Resources Expended**
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES**|**11096**
**18**
**11114**
**-508**
**-18**
**-526**||**1313**
**-162**| |---|---|---|---| ## **Note 1** ## Accounting Policies The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material i the society's financial statements Basis of accounts: The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention **Note 2** Fundraising receipts include payments from Amazon Smile ## **Note 3** Other receipts: music hire to third parties Other expenditure includes depreciation; choir refreshmenst ; remainder of gift to Alan Childs |**202**
**Rest**
**Fu**|**0-21**
**Total Funds**
£
£
_-_
500
_-_
25
_-_
0
_-_
626
-
0
-
0
500
500
**500**
**1651**
-
120
-
53
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
420
-
300
-
275
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
482
628
**ricted**
**nds**| |---|---| **2020-21 Restricted Funds Total Funds** 482 1795 18 -144 n relation to **----- Start of picture text -----**
LEIGHTON BUZZARD FESTIVAL SINGERS
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MAY 2022
Note 2122 2121
CURRENT ASSETS
Music Stocks valued by officers 717 797
Sweatshirts/Uniforms 0 0
Debtors & Prepayments 0 0
Cash in hand and at bank 7,033 6,016
7,750
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors & Accrued Income 1,480 18
-1,480
ASSETS 6,270
GENERAL FUND Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted
£ £ £ £
Balance 1 June 2021 6,795 6,795 6,939
Balance of Income over Expenditure -507 -18 -525 -126 -18
Balance 31st May 2022 6,288 -18 6,270 6,813 -18
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **LEIGHTON BUZZARD FESTIVAL SINGERS BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MAY 2022** 6.813 -18 6.795 Total 6.939 -144 6,795