Trustees’ Annual Report & Accounts
of the
Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra
for the financial period 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2022
The Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra
The WSO has been performing in Leamington since 1940, and as the Leamington Orchestral Society before that. Its players are drawn from all over the county and beyond. The Royal Spa Centre was the orchestra's regular venue following its opening in 1972 with a concert given by the WSO. More recently the orchestra has played in Warwick Hall and in the churches of St. Mary’s, Warwick and All Saints, Leamington Spa. Over the years the orchestra has worked with many illustrious soloists such as Janet Baker, Julian Bream, Peter Donohoe, Leon Goossens and Tasmin Little. Guy Woolfenden, permanent conductor from 1972 to 2012, succeeded a line of distinguished past conductors, and enhanced the WSO tradition of achieving the very highest musical standard. Roger Coull is the orchestra’s Principal Conductor, and Paul Leddington Wright its Associate Conductor.
The WSO is proud of its association with Coventry Cathedral Chorus of Coventry Cathedral, the Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir, Collegium Warwick and The Choirs of St. Mary's Church, Warwick, with which it has performed several major works, including Holst's The Planets, Berlioz' Te Deum, Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony and Verdi's Requiem.
Since July 2002 the orchestra has taken part in the Leamington & Warwick Festivals, performing Walton's Belshazzar's Feast, Berlioz' Messe Solennelle, Dvorak's Requiem, Tippett's A Child of Our Time and Respighi's The Pines of Rome. In July 2008 the WSO took part in the prestigious International Church Music Festival at Coventry Cathedral, and in March 2009 and May 2012 performed joint concerts in both Warwick & Paris with the Choeur Josquin des Pres of Villebon.
Conductors
Principal Conductor: Roger Coull Associate Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright
Leaders
George Ewart Alistair Kennedy
Trustees
| Trustees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman & | |||
| Raymond Joyce | Media Manager | Amanda Laidler | |
| Secretary | |||
| Treasurer | Peter Scott | Ticket Secretary | Diana Billington |
| Librarian | Shauna Kelham Gardner | Assistant Secretary | Sara Coldicott |
| Venue Manager | Jenny Maynard | Trustee | Anne Ransford |
| Assistant Treasurer | Dilys O’Driscoll | Trustee | Patrick Hinks |
| Programme Planner | Chris Voss | ||
2
Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra CIO Charity no: 1186320
’ - The Chairman s Statement 2021 22
The last season was a success, not least because the orchestra performed all the scheduled concerts without any cancellations or last-minute changes after the dire consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first concert was in October 2021 when the orchestra performed Tchaikovsky’s 4[th] symphony.
The Family Concert, with a theme of ‘Fantasy’ was a success under the baton of Paul Leddington Wright. It was heavy on themes from films including Lord of the Rings, Frozen, Superman and Harry Potter. The audience loved it, but such a concert is a real challenge to perform because of the large orchestration, particularly percussion, and for the players in changing from one style to another in short order.
The Spring concert included Dvorak’s 7[th] symphony and Guy Woolfenden’s bassoon concerto. On the other hand, the summer concert was a treat for the strings who performed the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
Three brilliant soloists, Zoe Beyers (Glazunov’s violin concerto), Rebecca Eldridge (Woolfenden’s bassoon concerto) and Gillian Blair (Milhaud’s Scaramouche) performed with the orchestra in the season.
The Malcolm Rowson double reed bursary and auditions produced two worthy winners. They were presented with their awards at the March concert, which appropriately featured a concerto for the bassoon!
The audience numbers are undeniably depressed as compared with pre-Covid attendance figures, but this is a phenomenon that is affecting all the performing arts
There have been negotiations for changing the rehearsal venue and playing more often at Warwick Hall. These negotiations are continuing but I am hopeful that the outcome will be positive.
We continue to attract new players and that is important for the future health of the orchestra. I am pleased to confirm that we go into the new busy season in good shape.
Special thanks
As chairman, the job would be completely overwhelming without the support of the Trustees and many of the playing members who contribute to the smooth management of the orchestra. I am privileged and grateful for all their personal support.
Raymond Joyce, Chairman
3
' - The Treasurer s Report 2021 22
This report covers the 12 month financial period from 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2022 - the third financial period since the orchestra changed over to be a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This is because the CIO commenced operation on 1 January 2020, and so the first financial period had to be a short one (January to July 2020), which has now been followed by two full 12-month financial periods, bringing us back into alignment with the normal WSO concert seasons.
This financial period has marked the orchestra’s return to normal after the disruptions of the Lockdown period. So we have been able to maintain the four traditional concerts that we have always been used to, and are starting to recover our audiences back to previous levels. The Spa Centre concert usually generates a surplus, and it managed to do so again, greatly helped by the Spa Centre’s excellent marketing. We have also been very fortunate to receive some significant sponsorship which has provided a most valuable addition to our funding.
As a result of all this endeavour, we have been fortunate to see an overall surplus of £2,514, resulting in total funds carried forward of £49,760. This includes the Malcolm Rowson Fund which now stands at £3,265 after making the two awards to promising young players this year totalling £450. So the Orchestra Fund now stands at £46,495 (i.e.£49,760 less the £3,265 for the Malcolm Rowson Fund). And that figure of £46,495 includes the current notional value of the WSO timps standing at £1,546,after their annual £350 depreciation.
Having this healthy financial position does enable us to take up opportunities for new types of concerts looking to the future, as well as funding Play Days etc. Another main aim of the WSO is to keep subscriptions (currently £90) at an affordable level so that we can encourage younger players to join us – important for the orchestra’s future. It has no doubt helped us in reaching the strong position in our orchestra numbers that we have today.
Thanks as always are due to all those who have helped with financial matters. This includes a number of Trustees who take on responsibilities in the area of WSO tickets sales, web ticket sales and production of brochures and concert programmes, and collection of players’ subscriptions. We are also grateful to the friends of the orchestra who so ably assist in making the actual concerts run smoothly, particularly in ticket and programme sales, and provision of refreshments.
Peter Scott, Treasurer
4
Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra
Statement of Financial Activities for the Period Ending 31 July 2022 (12 month financial period 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2022)
| Unrestricted Designated Last year |
|
|---|---|
| Funds Funds TOTALS (12 month period) |
|
| £ £ £ £ |
|
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |
| Ticket income | 10,350 - 10,350 936 |
| Other concert income | 1,091 - 1,091 - |
| Membership subscriptions | 7,792 - 7,792 1,490 |
| (including Gift Aid) | |
| Sponsorship & donations | 1,101 - 1,101 2,195 |
| Rehearsal refreshments | 301 - 301 |
| Bank interest & misc. | 98 - 98 40 |
| Total incoming resources | 20,733 - 20,733 4,661 |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | |
| Charitable Activities: | |
| Direct concert expenditure | 9,622 - 9,622 840 |
| Rehearsal costs | 5,915 - 5,915 2,561 |
| (inc. Play Days) | |
| Printing/general expenses | 1,882 - 1,882 761 |
| Malcolm Rowson Fund (awards) |
- 450 450 - |
| Depreciation | 350 - 350 350 |
| Total resources expended | 17,769 450 18,219 4,512 |
| Net incoming resources | 2,964 (450) 2,514 149 |
| Total funds brought forward |
43,531 3,715 47,246 47,097 |
| Total funds carried forward | 46,495 3,265 49,760 47,246 |
5
Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra
Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2022
| This Year | Last year | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | ||
| Tangible assets | 1,546 | 1,896 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||
| Debtors & prepayments | 2,972 | 1,239 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 45,567 | 44,767 |
| Total current assets | 48,539 | 46,006 |
| Creditors | (325) | (656) |
| Net current assets | 48,214 | 45,350 |
| Total assets | 49,760 | 47,246 |
| FUND BALANCES | ||
| Unrestricted Funds | 46,495 | 43,531 |
| Designated funds | 3,265 | 3,715 |
| Total Funds | 49,760 | 47,246 |
Notes on the Financial Statements for the Period
1. Trustees Expenses
The Charity meets the expenses of Trustees and Committee members properly incurred on behalf of the Orchestra. No Trustees or Committee members, nor anyone connected with them, have received any remuneration from the Charity's funds.
2. Depreciation
A set of timpani drums and trailer were acquired at the end of 2016 for £3,500, and this asset is being depreciated over a period of 10 years, calculated on a monthly basis.
Signed Geoffrey Griffiths Independent Examiner
Signed Peter Scott Hon. Treasurer Signed Raymond Joyce Chairman
6
Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts
Report to the Trustees of the Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra on the accounts for the Period Ending 31 July 2022
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed Geoffrey Griffiths Independent Examiner
7