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2022-10-16-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 17/10/2021 Period start date To 16/10/2022 Period end date

Charity name: Musica Secreta

Charity registration number: 1180343

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 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, lectures, broadcasts, publications
(print, digital, and online), and recordings, and
by such other means as the trustees shall from
time to time determine.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 The charity fulfils its purposes through
giving concerts, making recordings, and
running workshops. Where possible and
practical, amateur choirs are invited to be
involved in performances.
The charity also engages in primary trading
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 Secreta, 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 performances,
sometimes alongside Musica Secreta.
Musica Secreta is directed by Laurie Stras;
Celestial Sirens will in the future be
directed by Deborah Roberts.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 In shaping the objectives for and planning
the charity’s activities, the trustees have
had regard to 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 its activities. Budgets
for projects are based on industry-
appropriate rates (such as union-
recommended rates, where available);
grants are sought to reduce the fees
chargeable to promoters.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 The charity, the primary trading, and the
ensemble are all managed by one person
(Stras), who is also responsible for the
research on which programmes are based,
and the editions performed. Management
of the charity involves all reporting tasks
(accounting and annual report), populating
and managing the website, grant writing
and other forms of fundraising,
administration around recordings and
rehearsals (including accommodation,
scheduling, booking of artists and
technicians). More tasks were added in
2021-2022 – managing a self-release label,
social media marketing (and profile
strategy) and delivery. Other members of
the ensemble are only able to help in a
limited way because none of the activity is
remunerated.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

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.		 Para 1.20 Between 17 October 2021 and 16 October
2022, formal activities have included:
•
Recording and release of new CD on a
self-managed label
•
Concerts to promote the CD, including
a filmed concert
•
Recording of three tracks for a
Christmas “single” release in November
2022.
Mother, Sister, Daughter
This year Musica Secreta released its tenth
CD,_Mother Sister Daughter,_on new record
label, Lucky Music (more below). The
repertoire included music from Italian
convents, music associated with female
patrons, songs by dissenting women, and
and new commission by Joanna Marsh,
“The Veiled Sisters.”
The project was begun in the previous
accounting year, in which £7K was raised
from the Leche Trust, the Ambache
Charitable Trust, and Angel Early Music. In
the course of 21-22, further funded were
raised from Huddersfield University (c. £6K)
and AltPitch Festival (£2.5K). A
crowdfunder raised in excess of £5K.
Recording took place at Stapleford Granary
from 26-29 March 2022. A short version of
the concert was filmed on 26 March, and
then we gave the same concert live in the
evening. We did not premiere Joanna
Marsh’s work at this concert, as we had a
new soprano on the day (Victoria
Meteyard) and we had not had time to
rehearse it. Ms Meteyard joined the group
on the morning of the filming, due to one of
the regular sopranos contracting covid at
the last minute.
The filmed concert was shown as part of
Bloomington Early Music Festival on 26
May; we released the film to the online
AltPitch Festival in July, and it is now
permanently on our YouTube channel.
We prepared the album for release on
digital platforms, and pressed a limited run
of 300 physical copies. Our digital
distributor is RecordJet, a company based
in the EU: they manage release to Spotify,
Amazon, and Apple Music. We released
the recording in both stereo and Dolby
Atmos (on Apple Music).
Since all releases must be done through a
label, Stras created a new label, Lucky

Music, which controls the copyright in the recording. Lucky Music has paid the MCPS licenses to all composers/arrangers (Stras, Marsh, Couper, Kinder, Ely), and has ensured that all PRS/PPL percentages were distributed correctly for the release. Stras took the decision not to have the charity control the label, as this could create problems when the ensemble/charity is eventually wound up. All proceeds from the sale of physical CDs and from streaming go directly to Musica Secreta. We gave two concerts at the time of the release: 10 June at Kings Place; and 24 June at Stour Music Festival. A further date is planned for Brighton Early Music Festival in October 2023. On 23 September, we gathered to video and record some tracks for Christmas release – having our own label means that we can release “little and often” to make the best of streaming platforms. We managed to make four recordings, of which two will be released in time for Christmas 2022. Musica Secreta website and score shop We continue to sell scores and CDs from the website; traffic should increase in the next financial year because of the release of Laurie’s edition of Maddalena Casulana’s five-voice madrigal book.

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
£9044.66, and the cash box contains
£191.99.
Total income from all sources was
£32993.44.
Total expenditure was £36582.52.
Expenditure was higher than income this
year, but overall the balance was down
only £3643 on 20-21, and only £1078.35
from 19-20.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 Reserves are needed to bridge the gap
between spending/paying 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
promoter non-payment.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Although there is no separate account for
reserves, there is capacity to cover our
ideal reserve amount for 2022/23 in the
general fund.
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 n/a
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 n/a
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 n/a
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)		 Para 1.47 Royalties on recordings; primary trading;
grants; crowdfunding
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46 n/a
A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity		 Para 1.46 Risks include:
•
director retiring
•
shrinking of arts sector in the UK
•
continued pandemic making
performance/recording/scheduling
unviable
•
ability to recruit Trustees
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)
Para 1.25		 The charity is governed by a constitution.
How is the charity
constituted?		 Para 1.25 The charity is a Charitable Incorporated
Association.
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
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 trustees were approached by the
ensemble’s directors on the basis of their
knowledge and skills associated with the
charity’s purposes.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51
Relationship with any related
parties		 Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Musica Secreta
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1180343
Charity’s principal address 24 Oakmount Ave
Southampton
SO17 1DR
UK

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Mr Nick Boston Chair Term: 17/10/2021-
16/10/2024
Ms Sarah Dunant Term: 17/10/2018-
16/10/2022
Prof Andrew
Pinnock		 Term: 17/10/2020-
16/10/2023

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity

Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of
adviser
Name
Address
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 key personnel details

n/a

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair, etc)
Date
Nicholas Alexander Boston

Chair
5 April 2023
5 April 2023

Charity Name

No (if any)

Receipts and payments accounts

CC16a

For the period
from		 Period start date To Period end date

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest
£
10,104
1,428
-
-
3,146
52
-
-
14,730
-
-
-
14,730
-
35
561
11,513
340
-
250
95
420
13,214		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £
-
5,383
-
12,826
-
-
-
-
18,209
-
-
-
18,209
1,931
159
1,889
5,761
7,266
2,200
1,683
164
2,318
23,369		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total funds
to the nearest £
10,104
6,811
-
12,826
3,146
52
-
-
32,939
-
-
-
32,939
1,931
194
2,450
17,274
7,606
2,200
1,933
259
2,738
36,583		 Last year
to the nearest £
Concerts 10,104 -
Donations 1,428 450
Education - 125
Grants - 3,200
Primarytrading 3,146 948
Royalties 52 539
- 3,058
Gift Aid - -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 14,730 8,320
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
-
- -
Sub total - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
8,320
Accommodation and subsistence - 1,931 - 1,931 738
Officeperipherals 35 159 - 194 -
Primarytradingexpenses 561 1,889 - 2,450 225
Professional fees - musicians 11,513 5,761 - 17,274 4,300
Professional fees - technical 340 7,266 - 7,606 -
Professional fees - other - 2,200 - 2,200 -
Space charges/hire 250 1,683 - 1,933 24
Transaction charges 95 164 - 259 42
Travel 420 2,318 - 2,738 479
**Sub total ** 13,214 23,369 - 36,583 5,809
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
**Sub total ** - - - - -
Total payments 13,214 23,369 - 36,583 5,809
Net of receipts/(payments) 1,516 - 5,160 - - 3,643 2,511
A5 Transfers between funds - 2,515 2,515 - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 10,235 2,645 - 12,880 10,369
Cash funds this year end 9,236 - 0 - 9,236 12,880

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

Categories
B1 Cash funds
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)		 Cash in bank
Cash in hand
Details
1		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
9,044
192		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
Cash in bank 9,044 - -
Cash in hand
1		 192 - -
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets		 Signature
Details
Details
Details
Details		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which asset
belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which asset
belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Print Name
�ic���as ��e�a��er ��st��		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of approval
�ic���as ��e�a��er ��st�� 10/07/2023

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

16/01/2023

2

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Musica Secreta members of On accounts for the year 16[th] October 2022 Charity no 1180343 ended Set out on pages 2-3

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:
Name:
Address:

 Date:
20 July 2023
Margaret Rachel Cooper ACA
29 Welbeck Avenue
Southampton
SO17 1ST

1