OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-10-16-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 17/10/2024 Period start date To 16/10/2025 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 educaton, for the public
beneft, in the knowledge and appreciaton
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
appreciaton of and educaton in the musical
arts through concerts, workshops,
conferences, lectures, broadcasts, publicatons
(print, digital, and online), and recordings, and
by such other means as the trustees shall from
tme to tme 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 and Celestial Sirens
directed by Laurie Stras; Claire Williams is
credited as Ensemble Director on
programmes and recording notes.
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, managing the
self-release label Lucky Music, social
media marketing (and profile strategy) and
delivery, grant writing and other forms of
fundraising, administration around
recordings and rehearsals (including
accommodation, scheduling, booking of
artists and technicians). 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 Formal activities
Between 17 October 2024 and 16 October
2025, formal activities have included:

Unremunerated performance of
Deborah Roberts’ edition of the
Cozzolani Vespers at her memorial
concert in early February

Crowdfunding campaign in the summer
to support the release of our 11thalbum,
Ricordanze: a record of love_on 1
October

An appearance on BBC Radio 3,_In
Tune, in relation to the album launch

An appearance on BBC Radio 4,
Woman’s Hour, in relation to the album
launch
Musica Secreta website and score shop
We continue to sell scores and CDs from
the website.
The summer was extremely busy with the
crowdfunding campaign and getting the
album ready for release. Laurie made
twelve short videos to support the
campaign – these will later be edited to
provide free teaching materials.
The crowdfunding was necessary primarily
to fund the cost of PR for the album. The
success of the campaign can be judged by
the two appearances in successive weeks
on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 The reconciled bank account has a credit
balance of £4204.62, and the cash box
contains £50.00. This gives us a total of
£1204.62 float and £3000.00 in reserve.
Total income from all sources was
£9659.36.
Total expenditure was £9726.96.
Expenditure was marginally higher than
income this year.
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 2025/26 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

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; 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 still include:

director retiring

continued shrinking of arts sector in
the UK
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?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 The charity is a Charitable Incorporated
Organisation.
Trustee selection methods
including details of any		 Para 1.25 The trustees were approached by the
ensemble’s directors on the basis of their
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 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 Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Musica Secreta
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1180343
Charity’s principal address 17 Radlet Ave
London
SE26 4BZ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4		 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
Prof Andrew
Pinnock
Ms Anna Wright
Dr Susan Jackson

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) 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) Nicholas Alexander Boston

Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 4/2/26

Charity Name
MUSICA SECRETA		 Charity Name
MUSICA SECRETA		 Charity Name
MUSICA SECRETA		 No (if any)
1180343		 No (if any)
1180343		 No (if any)
1180343		 CC16a
For the period
from		 Period start date
17/10/2024		 To Period end date
16/10/2025
Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest
£
-
4 321
-
-
5 195
143
-
-
9 659
-
-
-
9 659
-
-
2 499
850
3 925
2 000
240
133
80
9 727
-
-
-
9 727
- 68
-
4 322
4 254		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total funds
to the nearest £
-
4 321
-
-
5 195
143
-
-
9 659
-
-
-
9 659
-
-
2 499
850
3 925
2 000
240
133
80
9 727
-
-
-
9 727
- 68		 Last year
to the nearest £
Concerts - 5 500
Donations 4 321 51
Education - 100
Grants - -
Primarytrading 5 195 25 540
Royalties 143 40
- -
- -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 9 659 31 231
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
-
- -
Sub total - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
31 231
Accommodation and subsistence - 3 100
Officeperipherals - -
Primarytradingexpenses 2 499 654
Professional fees - musicians 850 18 600
Professional fees - technical 3 925 9 927
Professional fees - other 2 000 -
Space charges/hire 240 238
Transaction charges 133 98
Travel 80 2 291
**Sub total ** 9 727 34 908
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
-
-
**Sub total ** - -
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
34 908
- 68 - - - 68 - 3 677
- - - - -
4 322 - - 4 322 7 999
4 254 - - 4 254 4 322

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

1

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

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B1 Cash funds		 Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Cash in bank
Cash in cash box
Details
Details
Details
Signature		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
4 204
-
50
-
-
-
4 254
-
OK
OK
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
Nicholas Boston		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval
Date of
approval
Nicholas Boston 4/2/26

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

2