## TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Harlekin Studio Opera - Charity No. 1183089
The trustees of Harlekin Studio Opera present their annual report for the period 24[th] April 2020 to 23[rd] April 2021. The report follows the structure of the _Charity Accounts Template – Trustees’ annual report for the period_ published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Items are numbered using the SORP reference system, with optional items included where appropriate.
Period start date: 24/04/2020
Period end date: 23/04/2021
Charity name: Harlekin Studio Opera
Charity Number: 1183089
Objectives and Activities
## **1.17 Summary of purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document**
To promote the art of opera music for the public benefit by:
- a) The organisation and/or presentation of performances of high educational and artistic merit.
- b) To advance the education of the public in the subject of opera music.
## **1.18 Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit**
The charity’s trustees have read and understood the guidance on public benefit and have worked closely together to ensure that the charitable purposes have been met.
## **1.19 Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit**
Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, provision of in-person activities during this period was extremely limited for performing arts companies. In face of nation restrictions, Harlekin Studio Opera suspended it’s activities from March 2020. When it became apparent that restrictions would definitely be in place for some time, trustees made the decision to provide a weekly digital meeting space to reduce the effects of isolation on regular participants. In August 2020 prepandemic participants were invited to participate in regular zoom sessions which comprised of 1 hour of in-depth vocal teaching and the use of the Zoom breakout room function for social interaction. These sessions were of vital importance to keep our community connected, and were highly successful in promoting selfawareness and confidence in singing alone.
No physical performances took place during this period, but Harlekin Studio Opera was able to team up with Aria Alba – Opera for all (SC042322) and The Three Bridges Festival to produce a short music video under the name ‘Lumminaria’. Participants learned principles of Laban movement and home recording. Each participant submitted audio recordings of them singing Verdi’s ‘Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves’ as well as set movements to create a collaborative work of art focussed entirely on bringing light into darkness.
## Achievements and Performance
1.20 Summary of main achievements, examples of benefits to beneficiaries and society as a whole
Through the pandemic we were able to facilitate a series of successful weekly online ‘rehearsals’, focussing on vocal technique, languages, and musicality. This provided our participants with a regular and structured opportunity to continue their singing practice, and the provision of learning files enabled them to continue with their own practice between sessions. Online sessions enabled a change of focus in the delivery of content and ultimately resulted in a marked development in the vocal ability and general confidence of all participants.
The ‘Luminaria’ project which was based on the chorus ‘Va pensiero’ looked at the narrative of the chorus and how that aligned to the emotional impact of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. It was an emotionally charged project which proved cathartic to many of our participants. The inclusion of movement and the teaching of the Laban Method helped to keep our participants from being entirely sedentary through lockdown. The release of the final product over social media platforms resulted in a supportive and emotional response from a large number of followers, supporters, friends and family.
Several of our participants are considered elderly or clinically vulnerable and the use of ‘break out rooms’ in our digital meetings provided continued access to social contact. Collectively our participants provided each other support through a difficult and uncertain time, and friendships were strengthened.
Importantly, due to the perseverance of our members and participants, HSO continues to function and successfully deliver its aims and objectives. We continue to meet and provide our services where other groups in the region have struggled to stay afloat.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
## **1.21 Review of charity’s financial position at the end of the period**
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Trustees recognised the heightened importance of financial security and eliminated all outgoing expenses. Participants were advised that they may stop paying their subscription on the basis that outgoings were nil and that the future was uncertain. However, 3 participants decided to continue their monthly contribution and over the period the company made a profit of £630.00.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
## **1.25 Type of Governing Document**
The company is a Charitable Incorporated Society using the ‘foundation’ model. It is managed by a board of trustees in accordance with a constitution.
New trustees are nominated by existing trustees and admitted to the board following a vote at a meeting of the trustees in accordance with the constitution which states that:
(1) Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed
for a term not exceeding 5 years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
(2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
## REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity Name: Harlekin Studio Opera
Other name(s): HSO
Registered Charity Number: 1183089
Charity’s Principal Address: 35 Delaval Road, Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 9BA.
Charity Trusties:
Mr. James Whitfield (Chair and Co-Treasurer)
Mr. Robert Hardiment (Co-Treasurer)
Dr. Susan Baker (Trustee)
Dr. Nell Drew (Trustee)
Trustees declare that the trustee’s report has been approved for submission to the Charity Commission.
Signed: Name: James Whitfield
Position: Chair Date: 20/02/2022
**1**
## **HARLEKIN STUDIO OPERA**
**Receipts and payments acco For the period Apr 24, 20 To from**
## **Section A Receipts and payments**
**Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ £**
**to the nearest £ to the nearest £**
## **A1 Receipts**
Membership Subscriptions **630 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -** _**Sub total** (Gross income for AR)_ **630 - -**
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A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
- -
- -
Sub total [ - ] - -
Total receipts 630 - -
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## **A3 Payments**
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- -
- -
- -
- -
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
03/07/2022
1
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- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Sub total - - -
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see
table) - - -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Sub total - - -
Total payments - - -
Net of receipts/(payments) 630 - -
A5 Transfers between funds - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end - - -
Cash funds this year end 630 - -
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|**Details**
**to nearest £**
Lloyds Bank Account
**630**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**|**Details**
**to nearest £**
Lloyds Bank Account
**630**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**|
|---|---|
|Lloyds Bank Account|**630**|
**Section B Statement of assets Details Categories B1 Cash funds**
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2
03/07/2022
**-** _**Total cash funds**_ **630**
**(agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))**
**OK**
## **Unrestricted funds**
## **B2 Other monetary assets**
## **Details**
## **to nearest £**
**-**
## **Details**
**Fund to which asset belongs**
## **B3 Investment assets**
## **Details**
**Fund to which asset belongs**
## **B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use**
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
3
03/07/2022
## **Details**
**Fund to which liability relates**
## **B5 Liabilities**
Signature Print N
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
CCXX R4 accounts (SS)
03/07/2022
4
## **183089**
## **ounts CC16a**
**Apr 23, 21**
## **Total funds**
## **Last year**
**to the nearest £ to the nearest £**
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630 -
- -
- -
- -
- -
-
-
630 -
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-
- -
- -
630 -
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- -
- -
-
- -
- -
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CCXX R5 accounts (SS)
03/07/2022
5
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- -
- -
-
-
-
-
- -
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- -
- -
630 -
- -
- -
630 -
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**Restricted Endowment funds funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - -**
CCXX R6 accounts (SS)
6
03/07/2022
**-**
OK
OK
## **Restricted Endowment funds funds**
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to nearest £ to nearest £
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
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## **Cost (optional)**
**Current value (optional)**
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- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
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## **Cost (optional)**
**Current value (optional)**
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- -
- -
- -
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CCXX R7 accounts (SS)
03/07/2022
7
**----- Start of picture text -----**
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Amount due When due
(optional) (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Date of
Name
approval
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CCXX R8 accounts (SS)
8
03/07/2022