## **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