Welsh Singers Showcase
Trustees’ Annual Report for the Financial Year to 31 July 2025
Welsh Singers Showcase (WSS) is a charity (no. 1179521) governed by a board of Trustees. Its principal purpose is to promote young Welsh classical singers at the start of their careers. It achieves this by staging a competition at which the Welsh representative in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, the leading operatic competition for young singers, is selected by a distinguished jury. Its operations are relatively modest with a competition which takes place every alternate year.
Review of the Year
Our 2024 Competition was held with great success on October 20[th] 2024.
Outcomes:
During the year, all entrants benefited from:
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An opportunity to experiment with repertoire and receive expert feedback from the audition, if required.
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The opportunity to meet other young singers on a similar journey
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Exposure to influential figures in the classical music industry
The winner of the competition, tenor Ryan Vaughan Davies, received a prize of £5,000 as well as an invitation to perform at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Gala Concert in October 2025, where he sang with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in a programme which also included distinguished former contestants and winners of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. This Gala Concert took place in a year when BBC Cardiff Singer of the World did not take place primarily because of St David’s Hall being closed for refurbishment.
The opportunities Ryan has received following the competition reflect its established reputation as a key springboard for Welsh singers. Past winners like Sir Bryn Terfel (who presented the prize to Ryan at the Competition) and others have described it as a pivotal milestone that opened international doors, enhanced visibility, and built essential performing experience. For Ryan, it marked rapid recognition, leading to management representation and further high-profile engagements shortly after his victory.
Financial Results
Our Turnover, represented by donations from trusts, foundations and individuals, amounted to £12,464 during the year. After deducting the cost of the competition and administration, we registered a loss for the year of £11,419, which was funded from the retained profits brought forward from last year of £27,079.11 within the two-year cycle of our fundraising.
Important relationships were developed with donors and supporters during the year, many of whom attended the competition, and the Charity had bank balances of £24,489 at the end of the financial year to finance future competitions.
The activities described above were reported, discussed and approved at meetings of the Trustees. The Trustees would like to record their thanks to Mrs Sue Welch for dealing efficiently with the administration of the competition.
Policies
Safeguarding Vulnerable Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the Charity are young classical singers. The Trustees take all possible care to ensure the wellbeing of the participants in the showcase, both at the auditions and the main event itself.
Conflicts of Interest
The Trustees are experienced individuals who are aware that any potential conflicts of interest should be disclosed. Inevitably, such conflicts arise from time to time and the Trustees ensure that the conflicted Trustee does not participate in the relevant decision.
Paying of Staff
The Charity does not have any staff. Mrs Sue Welch is paid for administering the Charity, which is disclosed under Sue Welch fee in our financial accounts.
Reserves Policy
The Charity recognises the need to hold reserves in order to secure the sustainability of the competition. At the end the financial year under review, the Charity held reserves of £24,499. The fundraising for the 2026 competition began immediately after the 2024 competition was completed and the Charity’s accounts reflect the two year cycle of the competition.
Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees
Dr Carol Bell, Chair
13 March 2025
WELSH SINGERS SHOWCASE ACCOUNTS 01.08.24 - 31.07.2025
£
£
INCOME
| Donations | 12,464.00 |
|---|---|
| Interest Earned | 267.00 |
| Total | 12,731.00 |
| EXPENDITURE | |
| Sundry expenses | 20,651.00 |
| Sue Welch Fee | 3,500.00 |
| Total | 24,151.00 |
| Net | - 11,420.00 |