## **Polymnia** **CIO 1181422** **Trustees’ Report** **1 February 2022 – 31 January 2023** ## **Trustees’ Report** The Trustees present the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the period from 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2023. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies and comply with the charity's constitution and applicable law. ## **Administration details** The principal address of the charity is currently 9 Ivy Lane, Newton Longville, Milton Keynes MK17 0DJ ## **The Trustees** Paul North (Chair) Gina Johnson Brian Coulstock Chris Crispus Jones Kate Atalay Perry Williams (acting Treasurer) ## **The management committee** The Trustees together with Jessica Norton (Musical Director), Laurence Holden (incoming Treasurer) and Louise Norwood. ## **Accounts Examiner** David Johnson ## **Structure, governance, and management** Polymnia was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 4 January 2019 and is governed by a constitution adopted on 20 January 2019. Trustees are elected or reelected at each Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election. At every annual general meeting of the members of the CIO, one-third of the charity trustees must retire from office. ## **Objectives** The objectives of Polymnia are to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals. ## **Activities** Polymnia is a mixed chamber choir, rehearsing and performing mostly in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. The choir enjoys considerable critical acclaim and typically performs several concerts a year. The choir of about 21 singers performs a wide-ranging repertoire. The requirements for prospective new members are good sight-reading skills, sufficient confidence to hold a line with only a small number of singers and the opportunity to work on the music at home. There is an informal audition for all new members, and voice reviews may be conducted from time to time for the whole choir. Periodic rehearsals take place on occasional Friday evenings, usually at the Bow Brickhill Community Hall. The success of Polymnia is underpinned by a committed membership with a range of musical expertise, a professional Musical Director and the support of family and friends. The choir is accordingly able to undertake exciting and ambitious choral programmes. ## **Membership** At the beginning of the year the membership of the choir was 20 singers and at the end of the year it was 21 singers. ## **Musical Director** Jessica Norton was appointed Musical Director in October 2021 and remains in post. ## **Achievements and Performances** Jessica created a programme for her first concert “Beginnings” featuring Aaron Copland’s most substantial choral work _In The Beginning_ for mixed chorus and Mezzo Soprano solo. The programme followed the story of the Creation through a variety of styles and musical periods, from Bach and Gesualdo through to Jonathan Dove and Dolly Parton around the theme of the creation with the Copeland as the main piece. Chloe Latchmore was engaged as the Mezzo soloist, with Jonathan Kingston playing organ and piano. Rehearsals were problematic with one being cancelled due to a big storm and Jess missing another following her own Covid infection. However, with many fingers crossed we performed the concert at St Mary and St Giles on 3 April and it was well received by the small audience (a theme for the year, as like many other choirs and orchestras we found it difficult to sell many tickets in the post covid times) We were delighted to be invited by MK Chorale to join their big concert “Crowning Glory” at the MK Theatre on Sunday 5 June, in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We sang some of the magnificent music heard by the Queen as she was crowned and Polymnia took the part of the semi-chorus in Walton’s _Coronation Te Deum_ . Our own concert on 9 July at St March And St Giles, Stony Stratford was also programmed by Jessica in recognition of the Jubilee and entitled “Rejoice”. The first half consisted of the fabulous Handel _Coronation Anthems_ together with Purcell’s _Rejoice in the Lord Alway_ and the National Anthem. The second half was of a lighter tone including music reported to have been among The Queen’s favourites. These included the hymn _Praise My Soul the King of Heaven_ , Richard Rodgers’ _You’ll Never Walk Alone_ and Irving Berlin’s (very tricky) _Cheek to Cheek_ . Jonathan Kingston once again accompanied us wonderfully and delighted the audience with a couple of organ solos. 29 October saw us return to St Barnabas Linslade for “Cloud Capp’d Towers”, our concert inspired by Vaughan Williams’ 150[th] anniversary. The music included songs such as _Linden_ _Lea_ and his _Mass in G minor_ alongside music from composers he inspired or drew inspiration from, such as Holst, Tallis and Parry. Again rehearsals and the concert itself we badly affected by illness and in particular the Mass in the second half was not our best work although generally, again, the small audience were very appreciative. A detailed review of the concert by the committee after canvassing the views of the singers produced some good suggestions to help the choir regain its confidence, which unsurprisingly had suffered through the pandemic. Future concerts will focus on some more familiar repertoire alongside any challenging new works, and we will engage an accompanist to help in some rehearsals. Our final concert of the year was our postponed joint “A Choral Christmas” concert with Craig McLeish’s TGI Choir at St Georges, Wolverton. Each choir sang some pieces of the their own as well as some joint pieces, with Jessica and Craig sharing the conducting. We sang the brilliant Carter arrangement of The _Twelve Days of Christmas_ along with other favourites including _Bethlehem Down_ and the rousing _Hodie_ by Sweelinck. Once again Jonathan Kingston did the honours at the organ (which had a few moments of its own!) This was our biggest audience of the year, who also enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies afterwards. The principle of a shared concert seems like a good option as it can improve audience size and reduce the amount performed by each group, and we hope to find other partnerships in the future. ## **Public benefit** The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance in deciding on the activities the choir undertakes. Activities for the public benefit have been demonstrated by: - the provision of detailed programme notes for each concert and / or an explanation of the works during the concert by the conductor - discounted subscriptions for students and those needing financial help - tickets at reduced prices or free for children and students - providing performance opportunities for young musicians - maintenance of a website ## **Financial review** The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the choir. Finances are discussed at all meetings. This enables the Trustees to ascertain the financial position of the choir and to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities legislation. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The choir finances itself by membership contributions, payable on an annual basis and agreed at an annual general meeting, and concert proceeds from sales of tickets and programmes. Other sources of income usually include: - gift aid from donations and from members' contributions - sales of online recordings - revenue from weddings The choir’s direct income funds the full cost of running the choir and contributes towards covering the net cost of concerts in the event of a loss. Income for the period from 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2023 totalled £6,321. Expenditure amounted to £7,530. Loss for the year was £1,209. On 31 January 2023, Polymnia had a cash balance of £1,478 held in the MetroBank Polymnia account and £80 in petty cash. ## **Reserves policy** Reserves are held to help fund major concerts and to acquire and maintain assets. ## **Risk management** The Trustees have a responsibility to identify, assess and manage risks. They keep abreast of legislation which may affect charities through the Charities Commission website and through the ‘Making Music’ organisation to which the choir is affiliated. They ensure that the choir complies with copyright and performing rights law. The choir’s insurance is arranged through ‘Making Music’. ## **Policies** The choir has policies regarding Safeguarding and Data Protection. Policies are reviewed annually and current policies may be viewed on the choir’s website www.polymnia.org.uk. ## **Future Plans** At the time of writing, the situation with the Covid 19 epidemic has significantly eased and we are planning activities with a high degree of confidence. The 2023 schedule includes: 26 February: Choral Workshop, St Mary and St Giles in Stony Stratford. An opportunity for singers of all abilities to benefit from Jessica Norton’s vocal training with a short performance by Polymnia at the end. 1 April: Choral Kaleidoscope, St Mary and St Giles in Stony Stratford. A concert featuring a selection of the most wonderful music by Barber, Lauridsen, Whitacre, Goodall, Gjeilo, Rachmaninov, Handel etc, 8 July: Summer concert at St Mary and St Giles, Stony Stratford 7-9 August: Three performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 11 November: Autumn concert at St Barnabas, Linslade 2 December: Christmas concert at St Barnabas, Linslade ## **Approved by the Trustees on 10 February 2023** **POLYMNIA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 2022/23 Financial Year** **Charity number: 1181422** ## **BALANCE SHEET** |Notes
**Current Assets**
Bank
Cash in hand
9
Debtors and prepayments
**Current Liabilities**
10
Creditors and Accruals
**Net Assets**
Represented by:
**Unrestricted Funds**
General Fund|as at 31
January
2023
£
1,478
80
682
2,240
395
**1,845**
**1,845**|_as at 31_
_January_
_2022_
_£_
_2,847_
_80_
_377_
_3,304_
_250_
_3,054_
_3,054_| |---|---|---| The notes on the attached pages form part of these accounts ## **Paul North - Chair** ## **Laurence Holden - Interim Treasurer** Date: 10 February 2023 Date: 10 February 2023 For and on behalf of the Board 1 **POLYMNIA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 2022/23 Financial Year** **Charity number: 1181422** |**Statement of Financial Activities**
Notes
**Income**
2
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Other receipts
**Expenditure**
6
Raising funds
7
Charitable activities
8
Other
**Surplus / (Deficit)**
General fund b/fwd
**General fund c/fwd**|2022 / 23
£
2,751
3,022
15
533
6,321
186
6,861
483
7,530
**-1,209**
3,054
**1,845**|_2021 / 22_
_£_
_2,321_
_1,129_
_12_
_332_
_3,794_
_40_
_4,582_
_285_
_4,907_
_-1,113_
_4,168_
_3,054_| |---|---|---| The notes on the attached pages form part of these accounts 2 **POLYMNIA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 2022/23 Financial Year** **Charity number: 1181422** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## 1 **Accounting Policy** These accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting by Charities (FRS 102, second edition) |INCOME
2
**Donations and legacies**
Member subscriptions
Other member payments
Other donations and legacies
Grants
3
**Charitable activities**
Ticket sales
}
Programme sales
}
4
**Other trading activities**
Rehearsal refreshments
5
**Other receipts**
Members purchases
Other
EXPENDITURE
6
**Raising funds**
Publicity
7
**Charitable activities**
Rehearsal and concert expenses
Fees
Venue hire
Programmes
Vocal Training Fees
Administration costs
}
Corporate subscriptions
}
8
**Other**
Purchases on behalf of members
BALANCE SHEET
9
**Debtors and Prepayments**
Edinburgh 2023
Rehearsal venue
Subscriptions due
Music purchase due
Vocal Freedom Workshop fliers
10
**Creditors and Accruals**
Donation in advance
Music purchased in advance
Room hire|2022 / 23
£
2,344
407
2,751
3,022
3,022
15
474
59
533
186
5,189
1,038
422
211
6,861
483
418
223
41
682
180
215
395|_2021 / 22_
_2,168_
_153_
_2,321_
_1,067_
_62_
_1,129_
_12_
_328_
_4_
_332_
_40_
_2,723_
_965_
_100_
_345_
_35_
_414_
_4,582_
_285_
_108_
_269_
_377_
_250_
_250_| |---|---|---| 3