CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Trustees, Annual Report for the period
From 1711012020
Period start date To 1611012021 Period end date
Charity name: Musica Secreta
Charlty registration number: 1180343
Objectives and Activities
SORP Eferen
Sumrnary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
goveming documenl
Para 1.17
The purposes of our charity are
To advance education, for the public
benefit. in the knowledge and appreciation
of music primarily but not exclusively for
female voices, whether for choir, consort,
or solo voices, accompanied or
unaccompanied.
To further the development of public
appreciation of and education in the musical
arts through concerts, workshops,
conferences, lertures, broadcasts, publications
(print. digital, and online), and recordings, and
by such other means as the trustees shall from
time to time determine.
The charity fulfils ils purposes through
giving Con￿rtS. making recordings, and
running workshops. Where possible and
practical. amaleur choirs are invited to be
involved in performances.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the publi
benefit, in particular, the
aclivities, projects or
seNices idontified in thg
ac(x)unts.
Para 1.17and
1.19
The charity also engages in primary irading
through its website, selling scores and
CDS. The website is also used to distribute
free scores and advice to choirs wishing to
develop experience in singing female-voice
polyphony.
The charity supports two ensembles:
Musica Secrela, a professional ensemble
normally comprising 8-10 singers, viol, and
keyboard (organ or harpsichord}- and
Celestial Sirens, an amateur choir based in
the south of England that meets on an ad
hoc basis to prepare perfomiances,
sometimes alongside Musica Secreta.
Musica Secreta is directed by Laurie Stras-
Celeslial Sirens will in the future be
directed by Deborah Roberts.

Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard lo the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit
P8r8 1.18
In shaping the objectives for and planning
the charity's activities, the trustees have
had regard lo the Charity Commission's
guidance on public benefit and fee
charging. The ensemble relies on grants
and income from fees and primary trading
to cover the costs of ils aclivities. Budgets
for projects are based on industry-
appropriate rates (such as union-
recommended rales. where available);
grants are sought to reduce the fees
char
eable to
romoters.
Additional information (optional)
You ma
choose to include fijrther statements where relevant about:
SORP reference
Pard 1.38
Policy on grant making
Para 1.38
Policy on social inve8tmenl
including program related
inveslment
The charity. the prirnary trading. and the
ensemble are all managed by one person
{Stras}, who is also responsible for the
research on which prograrnmes are based.
This involves all reporting tasks (accounting
and annual report). populating and
managing the website, grant writing arid
other forms of fundraising. administralion
around recordings and rehearsals
(including accommodation, scheduling,
booking of artisls and technicians). More
tasks are being added to the overall load -
managing a self-release label, social media
marketing land profile strategy} and
delivery. Somelimes this feels
unsustainable, but other members of the
ensemble are only able to help in a limited
way because none of the activity is
r8munerated.
Pard 1.38
Contribution made by
volunleers
Other
Achievements and Performance
SORP refe￿

Between 17 October 2020 and 16 October
2021. fomial activities have included:
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity's work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.
Pera 1.20
Work towards a new recording I concert
series. including a new commission
Launch of the new score shop on the
ensemble websile.
Mother, Sister, Daughter
This project has come about because of
Stras's discoveries in respect of two Italian
manuscripis connected with convents -
and the desire to create a programme that
is about women's conversations about
women's relalionships. For this project. the
ensemble has also made its first
commission. to British composer Joanna
Marsh, for a new work. °The Veiled
Sisters."
We have successfully raised £7000
towards the project- from the Leche Trust,
the Ambache Charitable Trusl, Angel Early
Music- and were given funding-in-kind by
Stapleford Granary for a residency in
August. We will be running a crowdfunder
campaign in January and February.
Recording should have taken place from
17-20 Oclober 2021, right after the close of
this accounting year, however one of thE
ensemble's children contracted covid and
the sessions were cancelled.
The release of the CD is due to take place
in June 2022. with a launch concert al
Kings pla￿ in London. since the recording
is now postponed until March 2022 (and
will now take place at Stapleford Granary),
the release will be digital only (with some
physical copies pressed for concerts) and
we will self-release the CD.
Con￿rtS are planned at Stapleford
Granary, Kings Place, and Music at Stour.
We have submitted a proposal for a filmed
COn￿rt to Bloomington Early Music
Festival. We will hear about this in the new
year. If successfijl, filming will take place
before the Stapleford Granary concert and
the recording.
Musica Secreta score shop
We have been selling the Swres for
Lucrezia Borgia's Daughterfrom Ihe website
for some years now, but the process of
ordering, invoicing, then sending the scores
by email was very labour-intensive lo avoid
problems with VAT. The new score shop is
Sgt u
for download sales to the UK, and

non-EU countries
EU sales can slill be
paid for on the website. but have to be sent
manually as before. We are offering more
. free scores. accompaniment scores. and
backing tracks for download.
We have a sharp learning cutve that will no
doubt conlinue into the next financial year.
specifically in the areas of soual
medialinternet PFofile and marketing.
Financial Review
Review of the charity's
financial position at the end
of the period
Para 1.21
The bank account had a credit balance of
£12,825.73. and the cash box contains
£54.00.
Total income from all sources was
£8320.15.
Total expenditure was £5808.94.
Expenditure was lower than incom& this
year, bul a large portion of the credit
balance will be used by recording in the
next financial year.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held
Ptra 1.22
Reserves are needed to bridge the gap
between spendinglpaying fees and
receiving payment from promoters. The
ideal level of reserves is £3000 per
contracted concert. the minimum we judge
to be necessary to cover compensatory
artists, fees for a single concert in case of
romoter non-
menl.
Although there is no separate account for
reserves. there is capacity to cover our
ideal reserve amount for 2020121 in the
eneral fund.
nla
Amount of reserves held
1.22
Reasons for holding zero
reseTves
Details of fund materially in
deficit
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
con￿rn
Pèrè 1.22
Para 1.24
nla
Pard 1.23
nla
Additional informatlon {optional)

You ma
choose to inclLtde further statements where relevant al)oul'.
Royalties on recordings: primary trading
grants; crowdfunding
The charity's principal
sources of funds (including
any ftjndraising)
Part 1.47
Investment pollcy and
objectives including any
soaal investmalll policy
adopted
P8f8 1.46
Risks include:
director retiring
shrinking of arts sector in the UK
continued pandemic making
performancelrecordinglscheduling
unviable
A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity
Pard 1.46
other
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of charity's
trusts..
Type of governing document
Pard 1.25
Tha charity is govemed by a constitution.
How is the charity
constituted?
o)rporated
rl%S()r.ipiion, Cl(),,
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees
Para 1.25
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated
Association.
Para 1.25
The trustees were approached by the
ensemble's directors on Ihe basis of their
knowledge and skills associated with thè
charity's purposes.
Additional fnforniatlon (optlonal)
You ma
choose to indude fvrther statements where relevant about=
Policies and procedures
adopted for the inductlon
and training of trustees
Por8 1.51
The charity's organisational
structure and an
wider
Para 1.51

ne￿Ork with which the
charity works
Relationship with any
related parties
Para 1.51
Mr Nick Boslon completed his first term as
Trustee on 16 October 2021. He has
volunteered to serve lor an additional lerm to
16 October 2024, to ￿lCh the other Trustees
reed wth thanks.
Other
Reference and Admlnistrative details
Charit
name
Other name the charit
uses
Re
istered chari
number
Charily's principal address
Musica Secreta
1180343
24 Oakmount Ave
Southampton
S017 1DR
UK

Names of the charfty trustees who manage the charity
Datbs actsd If not for who
8ar
Trust•• nam
Offlce Ilf any)
Nam• of ￿rsOn lor botyl èntitled
toa
Int trusts•
Mr Nick Boston
Chair
Terms.. 1711012018-
1611012021 &
1711012021-16110124
Term: 1711012018-
1611012022
Term: 1711012020-
1611012023
Ms Sarah Dunant
Prof Andrew
Pinnock
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets
nla
held in this capacity
Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls wthin the Gustodian
charity's objects
nla
Delails of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity's own
assets
nla
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of
Name
Address
advisor
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members {Optional information)
Professor Laurie Stras- administrator for the charity: director of the ensemble
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of ke
ersonnel details
nla

Declarations
Th8 trusteès declare that they havè approved the trustees, report above.
Slgned on behalf of the charity's trustees
Signature(s)
Full name{s)
Position {eg Secretary,
Chair, etc)
hj. A. 8os7DNI
Cl*lIR
Date
2+111121


**Charity Name No (if any) Musica Secreta 1180343** 

## **Receipts and payments accounts For the period** Period start date **To from** 10/17/2020 

Period start date Period end date **To** 10/17/2020 10/16/2021 

## **Section A Receipts and payments** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Unrestricted  Restricted  Endowment<br>Total funds<br>funds funds funds<br> to the nearest<br>to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £<br>£<br>A1 Receipts<br>Concerts                           -                              -                              -                              -<br>Donations                        450                            -                              -                           450<br>Education                        125                            -                              -                           125<br>Grants                             -                      3,200                            -                        3,200<br>Primary trading                        948                            -                              -                           948<br>Royalties                        539                            -                              -                           539<br>                    3,058                            -                              -                        3,058<br>Gift Aid                           -                              -                              -                              -<br>Sub total (Gross income for AR)                      5,120                      3,200                            -                        8,320<br>A2 Asset and investment sales,<br>(see table).<br>                            -                              -                              -                            -<br>                            -                              -                              -                            -<br>Sub total  [                            - ]                             -                              -                            -<br>Total receipts                  5,120                   3,200                           -                      8,320<br>A3 Payments<br>Accommodation and subsistence                        738                            -                              -                           738<br>Primary trading expenses                        225                            -                              -                           225<br>Professional fees - musicians                     3,000                      1,300                            -                        4,300<br>Professional fees - technical                             -                            -                              -                              -<br>Professional fees - other                             -                            -                              -                              -<br>Space charges/hire                             -                           24                            -                             24<br>Transaction charges                          42                            -                              -                             42<br>Travel                             -                         479                            -                           479<br>                            -                            -                              -                              -<br>Sub total                     4,006                      1,803                            -                        5,809<br>A4 Asset and investment<br>purchases, (see table)<br>                            -                              -                              -                            -<br>                            -                              -                              -                            -<br>Sub total                             -                              -                              -                            -<br>Total payments                  4,006                   1,803                           -                      5,809<br>Net of receipts/(payments)                  1,114                   1,397                         -                     2,511<br>A5 Transfers between funds                          -                         -                           -                              -<br>A6 Cash funds last year end                   9,121                   1,248                         -                   10,369<br>Cash funds this year end                10,235                   2,645                         -                   12,880<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** 

||||**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Categories**|**Details**||**funds**||**funds**|
|**B1 Cash funds**|Cash in bank<br>Cash in hand|**_Total cash funds_**|**to nearest £**<br>**10,181**<br>**54**<br>**-**<br>**10,235**|<br> <br> <br>|**to nearest £**<br>**2,645**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**2,645**|
||(agree balances with receipts and payments<br>account(s))||OK|OK||
||||**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**|
||||**funds**||**funds**|
||**Details**||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**|
|**B2 Other monetary assets**|stocks of CDs|for resale: 671 @£4.50 each|**3,020**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|<br> <br> <br> <br> <br>|**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|
|**B3 Investment assets**|**Details**||**Fund to which**<br>**asset belongs**|**Cost (optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**||
|**B4 Assets retained for the**|**Details**||**Fund to which**<br>**asset belongs**|**Cost (optional)**<br>**-**||
|**charity’s own use**||||<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br>|**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|
||||**Fund to which**||**Amount due**|
|**B5 Liabilities**|**Details**||**liability relates**|<br> <br> <br> <br>|**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**(optional)**|
|Signed by one or two trustees on<br>behalf of all the trustees||Signature|Print|Name||






**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
CC16a<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **Last year** 

**to the nearest £** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
                10,004<br>                  1,591<br>                     800<br>                  3,336<br>                  1,771<br>                       63<br>                        -<br>                        -<br>                17,464<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


**17,464** 

**621 590 19,636 3,885 1,451 296 35 1,726 - 28,240** 

**28,240 -            10,776 - 21,091 10,315** 



## **Endowment funds** 

## **to nearest £** 

**-** 

## OK 

## **Endowment funds to nearest £** 

**-** 

**Current value (optional)** 

**-** 

**Current value (optional)** 

**When due (optional)** 

Date of approval 

