Music in the Castle - Charity number: 1187306
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending
31 December 2022
Objectives and Activities
To advance the education of the general public and, in particular but not exclusively, schoolchildren in the arts by providing and assisting in the provision of classical music concerts, recitals and workshops in Devon and the surrounding areas.
Seven evening concerts and three workshops for schoolchildren had been planned and advertised on the website for 2022. After all the uncertainty surrounding the Pandemic it was decided that our usual six concerts should be re-introduced and these were advertised with a return to our annual brochure, detailing all concerts for the year. The events had been carefully considered to create a wide variety, thereby appealing to as many schoolchildren and the wider general public as possible. They included, Brass, Woodwind, Vocal, Strings and Organ.
The concerts began in mid- March with young musicians from Wells Cathedral School . Having often welcomed these fine musicians, we were thrilled when they decide to bring not just one group, but two, Brass and Woodwind. They also presented an afternoon concert for our local school children as they had done in the past. Our next dual event for schoolchildren and the paying public was in May and featured post graduate singers from RWCMD. Both of these events had sadly been cancelled the previous year and it was important to honour our agreement of bookings with them.
The third planned concert was an evening event only, and for the general public with the Divertimento Piano Trio in June. A highly respected and local ensemble, these players are always well supported.
The second half of the year began in September with two extremely well known and highly talented former Cathedral organists – Andrew Millington and David Davies, who returned to present another highly entertaining evening only concert. This was then to be followed by the London Myriad Ensemble in November who were to bring a Quartet of
woodwind and were to complete the third of our afternoon concerts for schoolchildren in the afternoon, as well as a full length evening recital.
To conclude the year, Choral Scholars from Exeter Cathedral were asked to present our Christmas event, further bringing local talent to Music in the Castle and creating an attractive and varied yearly programme for our audiences.
All events were agreed by the Trustees and given due and careful regard for the policies outlined in the governing document.
Achievements and Performance
After so much uncertainty with regard to the pandemic, it is particularly pleasing to report that all concerts were able to go ahead.
The March concert with both Brass and Woodwind ensembles from Wells Cathedral School saw nearly 100 local schoolchildren arrive at the Music room eager to once more hear live music and from performers just a few years older than themselves. The hour long interactive concert buzzed with excitement and the questions and answer section at the end was enlightening for all. The evening concert was not less thrilling and successful previous visits from Wells meant this welcome return brought in another respectable sized audience to start our 2022 season.
In honouring our promise to re-schedule Singers from RWCMD, the May concert took the same format and once again the popularity of free hour long concerts to schoolchildren saw another hundred or so arrive with their teachers for the next professional event of the year.
These Opera singers astounded the youngsters with their versatility and power and they were enthralled and disbelieving that all performed with no microphones!! Another great success, and their carefully chosen programme was extremely popular with the evening audience presenting some well- known classics as well as arias slightly less familiar.
The intimacy of the Music Room was perfect for the Divertimento Piano Trio in June and it was pleasing that regulars followers of the Trio attended the concert and have subsequently returned to hear other artistes. Promoting events by word of mouth still appears to be the best method of increasing audience sizes. The programme that the Trio presented was also varied and Mendelssohn and lesser known Martinu made for fine contrasts.
After the summer break the Organ and Piano Recital by Andrew Millington and David Davies in September created the perfect start to the Autumn. Performing solos and duets
on both Organ and Piano, this evening concert created the usual informal and entertaining event that we have come to expect from these two highly talented and personable gentlemen. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The penultimate concert of the year brought the London Myriad Ensemble to Powderham, for the final concert for schoolchildren of 2022. All young ladies - and some of them Mothers – they bonded extremely well with the children and interacted with them in a natural and fun way, creating some fine memories for all youngsters that attended. Numbers again here were almost at one hundred.
The evening concert saw some very fine playing from these talented woodwind players and they naturally connected with the audience and the family feel within the gathering was present once more.
The final concert of the year with Timothy Noon Directing the Choral Scholars of Exeter Cathedral was held in December and it was hoped that with the Christmas lights that lit up the Castle and grounds would aid interest in the event. This proved to be true and hastily another performance was scheduled and both events saw the Music Room filled with audience ready to celebrate the festive season. Even more pleasing, since the weather had taken a turn for the worse and temperatures had plummeted, but even with hats, coats and gloves on in the Music Room the audience joined in with popular Carols, and with a lighter repertoire in place for the second half of the concert, the year concluded with high expectations for another successful year in 2023.
From our Schools Co-ordinator.
The afternoons’ schools concerts have continued to be very well supported, both from state and independent schools. Feedback form both teachers and young people (from primary and secondary schools) consistently focus on the value of the live experience. ‘Our students come away amazed at the quality of the musicianship and are given a real insight on how to become a great instrumentalist or vocalist’ – Tiverton High School GCSE Music Students. Primary aged children from some of the less advantaged areas of Exeter have been especially inspired and their future bookings for the 2024 series reflect the importance the staff place on these experiences.
Overall evening audience attendance is still less than we would like and ticket prices were held at pre pandemic levels to encourage more to return, but with the rising cost of living, we feel we are holding our own in a world where Live Classical Music is becoming more of a luxury.
Future plans for 2023 include six more concerts throughout the year, three afternoon concerts for schoolchildren and two nights of the Christmas concert event have been scheduled to cope with demand. Concerts will include featuring the organ three times, as well as a Piano Quintet, a Saxophone Quartet and an Early Music Ensemble, several using young musicians from Music Colleges at the start of their careers.
Financial Review.
A better year financially was achieved in 2022, although post pandemic has naturally seen a slight rise in performers fees and costs, but a decision to keep tickets prices the same have still seen a slight profit emerge. Sponsorship was also sought from Exeter Classical Music Trust which amounted to £333.18
Funds at the beginning of the year stood at £12,882.20.
Income created, amounted to £7539.73 (including donations/sponsorship)with costs arising to £7,313.84 A balance of £13,438.09 at end of December 2022, is now held in reserve.
Policy on Reserves
Reserves are held to further promote and develop concerts and workshops for young people and the wider public, and to cover any future unforeseen fluctuations in income and expenditure.
Structure, Governance and Management
Music in the Castle – Constitution was adopted in January 2020 and is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation .
Future Trustees are appointed following recommendations presented to the Board of Trustees.
Reference and Administrative details
Charity Name – Music in the Castle Registered Charity Number – 1187306 Principal Address – 3. Gulliford Cottages, Lympstone, Devon. EX8 5AQ
Trustees: Alison Burnett – Artistic Director Rosalind Mason – Schools Co-ordinator Bernard Hadley
Declarations
Signature(s) Full name(s) Alison Burnett Position (eg Secretary, Artistic Director Chair, etc) Date 4th October 2023
Statement of Financial Activities as at 31[st] December 2022
| 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening balance: | £16,039.82 | £12882.20 |
| Income | ||
| Donations | £39.90 | £413.05 |
| Sponsorship | £333.18 | |
| Charitable Activities | £4004.00 | £7093.5 |
| Total Income | £4043.90 | £7839.73 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Charitable Activities | £4,238.80 | £6249.15 |
| Instrument tuning, Website, Admin, Printing | £2,962.72 | £1034.69 |
| Total Expenditure | £7,201.52 | £7283.84 |
| Total Unrestricted Funds carried forward | £12882.20 | £13438.09 |
The trustees report that Music in the Castle has no outstanding debts against the Charity in this financial period.
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4th Oct 2023
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