High Holborn Chamber Choir
Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1. Charity Details
Charity Name: High Holborn Chamber Choir
Charity Number: 1191501
Registered Address: 36A Dunster Gardens, London, NW46 7NH
Website: highholborncc.org.uk
Contact Email: highholborncc@gmail.com
2. Structure, Governance and Management
High Holborn Chamber Choir is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered on 28th September 2020. The charity is governed by its constitution, which sets out its charitable objectives and the powers of its trustees. The trustees are responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the choir. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the committee, which includes the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and other members as required. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the constitution.
3. Trustees
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Katie Hastings (appointed 27 January 2025)
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Dr Brendan Tracey (appointed 2 September 2023)
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Helen Citron (appointed 1 February 2022)
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Dr Lucy Handscomb (appointed 13 January 2022)
No trustees receive any remuneration or benefits from the charity.
4. Objectives and Activities
Charitable Objects: To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of choral music by means of rehearsals, public concerts and recitals, and by such other means as the trustees may determine.
Main Activities:
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Providing opportunities for amateur singers to develop their musical abilities through regular rehearsals and performances.
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Promoting the appreciation of choral music by performing a wide range of repertoire to a high standard for the public benefit.
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Collaborating with other musical groups and supporting community events.
5. Achievements and Performance
2024–2025 was a successful year for the choir, with membership remaining strong and growing to over 30 singers. We have a consistent list of joining enquiries through our website and social media posts each term.
The choir performed three main concerts (Christmas, Spring, and Summer) at London venues and an Evensong. The spring concert (5th April 2025) was performed at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge and centred around Durufle’s Requiem alongside other shorter pieces with professional soloists, Tom Butler and Jen Statham performing alongside the choir. In particular, we sang a version of ‘Abide with Me’, arranged by our choir member, George Parris.
Our summer concert, “Unclouded Day” was a choral celebration of American composers and took place in the Swiss Church on 4th July 2025.
Whilst not relevant to our financial year end (31st August 2025), the choir had a busy start to the autumn term, participating in Evensong at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square which was a great success. The choir has remained in contact with the church for future singing opportunities. Additionally, the choir’s collaboration with composer Daniel Blumberg in November for the soundtrack of the newly released film, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' was a notable highlight.
The choir also participated in community events, such as carol singing at Central Saint Giles piazza (outside Google’s offices) and St. Christopher’s Place. This was a good opportunity to sing publicly and perform well-known carols. Alongside this, Emma programmed a brilliant repertoire for our Christmas carol concert, “Star of Wonder”. The concert included repertoire composed by two of our choir members, Chris Esdaile and George Parry which was well received. Given the popularity of last year’s sold-out performance, we chose St Mary’s Church in Islington as our venue and sold over 200 tickets!
Finally, the choir continues to support Sunday services at The Swiss Church in London throughout the year, continuing to build our strong relationship with the church. We have moved our rehearsal days to Monday evenings (to accommodate the church’s desire to increase revenue income by leasing the venue on Thursday evenings). We have also agreed with the church to pay a monthly fee to use the venue following a review of The Swiss Church finances.
During the year, our Chair and committee reviewed the administration of the choir with the following updates:
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The choir now benefits from a Members Area on the HHCC website. This has created a centralised place for information, shared documents, repertoire and updates.
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The Financial Year now aligns with the choir terms from 1st September to 31st August (as changed in 2024).
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There has been a review of committee roles, and it is the intention of the choir to have more individuals involved in the running of the choir to spread the workload. These roles will be elected in January 2026 at our AGM.
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Phil has chosen to step down from his role as Secretary and leave the choir for personal reasons. This role will be elected in January 2026 at our AGM.
A number of members took sabbaticals, maternity leave or chose to leave the choir during the year. We have also had 10 new joiners which has resulted in a slightly larger chamber choir of 30-32 members. The plan is to maintain the choir’s current size, perhaps with one or two more members per part. Given the marketing of the choir and the success of recent concerts, as of December 2025, we had 20 live joining enquiries. Auditions will be held in January 2026.
In terms of committee changes, we welcomed Harriet after Helen stepped down as Librarian. Harriet has supported the choir in her role as Librarian whilst also sourcing and co-ordinating the booking of our Christmas concert venue, St Mary’s Church in Islington. 2025 was also Katie’s first year as Chair of the choir after Jonny stepped down at the January 2025 AGM.
6. Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. The choir’s activities provide opportunities for musical development and enjoyment, both for members and the wider public, through accessible performances and community engagement.
7. Financial Review
Total Income (year ending 31st August 2025): £12,917.08
Total Expenditure (year ending 31st August 2025): £12,426.63
Net Assets: The choir remains financially stable. We would like to boost reserves to cover future commitments. Whilst not accounted for in this financial year end, Christmas concert ticket sales will have improved total income for next financial year.
The main revenue for the choir remains subscription fees, though we have increased receipts from (member) donations and concert receipts.
The choir typically benefits from its relationship with the Swiss Church. The choir agrees to perform monthly at Swiss Church services in lieu of venue fees to rehearse at the church. In spite of this arrangement, the choir does now incur venue hire costs (though below market rates) which affects our total expenditure.
The treasurer, Brendan, is working to get GiftAid receipts back to the choir for future years.
Insurance: The choir holds public liability, trustee liability, and employer liability insurance, renewed annually. This was renewed starting 1st October 2025.
No trustees received remuneration or benefits. The choir does not own or lease property and has no trading subsidiaries.
8. Plans for the Future
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Continue to deliver high-quality choral performances and expand the choir’s repertoire.
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Choir term and events planning aims to be two terms ahead to provide members more clarity on dates, future repertoire and more diversity in choral events.
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Encourage a more collaborative approach within the choir to achieve the above.
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Maintain membership around 30-34 singers.
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Strengthen relationships with partner organisations, especially The Swiss Church.
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Explore new collaborations and community outreach opportunities
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Explore new performance venues and Evensongs such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
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Maintain robust financial management and governance.
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Encourage continuous feedback (using the members portal form) for the committee and Music Director to improve future planning purposes.
9. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.
10. Approval
This report was approved by the trustees on 15th January 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Katie Hastings, Chair
Brendan Tracey, Treasurer
High Holborn Chamber Choir Payments and Receipts FY 2024-2025
Receipts (£)
| SUM of Receipt | Term | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | 24/25:1 | Autumn | 24/25:2 January | 24/25:3 Spring | 24/54:4 Year | Grand Total |
| Concert Receipts | 1436.00 | 1320.96 | 693.22 | 3450.18 | ||
| Donation | 600.00 | 151.62 | 247.88 | 0.00 | 999.50 | |
| Project Income | 1875.40 | 1875.40 | ||||
| Subscription | 2412.00 | 2530.00 | 1650.00 | 0.00 | 6592.00 | |
| Grand Total | 4448.00 | 4002.58 | 2591.10 | 1875.40 | 12917.08 |
Expenses (£)
| SUM of Receipt Term |
SUM of Receipt Term |
|---|---|
| Category 24/25:1 Autumn 24/25:2 January 24/25:3 Spring 24/54:4 Year Grand Total |
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| Concert Receipts Donation Project Income Subscription |
1436.00 1320.96 693.22 3450.18 600.00 151.62 247.88 0.00 999.50 1875.40 1875.40 2412.00 2530.00 1650.00 0.00 6592.00 |
| Grand Total 4448.00 4002.58 2591.10 1875.40 12917.08 |
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| Expenses (£) | |
| SUM of Payment Term |
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| Category 24/25:1 Autumn 24/25:2 January 24/25:3 Spring 24/54:4 Year Grand Total |
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| Concert Expense Misc Expense Music Director Fees Music Expenses Project Expense Rehearsal Venue Hire |
763.49 1750.00 424.49 2937.98 412.91 412.91 1430.00 1690.00 1300.00 4420.00 351.10 599.40 225.24 1175.74 430.00 1650.00 2080.00 150.00 750.00 500.00 1400.00 |
| Grand Total 2694.59 4789.40 2879.73 2062.91 12426.63 |
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| Overall Totals (£ 1,753.41) (£ (786.82) (£ (288.63) (£ (187.51) (£ 490.45) |
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| Opening Bank Balance: (£ 2,038.23) Closing Bank Balance: (£ 2,378.68) Forward year balance (£ (150.00) checksum (£ 0.00) |
Notes:
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The breakdown of expenses by term is approximate, and is for illustrative purposes only.
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Items in the "Year" category are unaffiliated with a specific term, or are outside the normal operations of a term
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The concert expenses include all associated fees, including music director fees and accompanist hires, including accompaniest hires for rehearsal
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"Project Income" includes revenues and expenses related to non-rehearsal and non-concert activites, e.g. work for hire
Treasurers Comments:
Subscriptions
The main revenue for the choir remains subscription fees, though we have increased receipts from (member) donations and concert receipts
Venue Hire
The choir typically benefits from its relationship with the Swiss Church. The choir agrees to perform monthly at Swiss Church services in lieu of venue fees to rehearse at the church. In spite of this arrangement, the choir incurred significant venue hire costs. This was due in part to a continuous two-month booking of the Swiss Church during the Autumn term.
Gift Aid
The treasurer is working to get GiftAid receipts back to the choir for future years
Concerts
The January term corcert included organ and cello accompaniment as well as hired soloists