Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 September 2022 To 31 August 2023
Charity name: Stafford Sinfonia
Charity registration number: 1196465
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | THE OBJECT OF THE CIO IS 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. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Six public concerts of orchestral music held on Staffordshire: “Czech Mates”: 12 & 20 November 2022 “Christmas Concert”: 17 December 2022 “Spring Classics”: 11 March 2023 “Music She Wrote”: 24 June 2023 & 2 June 2023 |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Stafford Sinfonia does not make grants. Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Stafford Sinfonia does not make social Para 1.38 investments. Policy on social investment including program related investment Stafford Sinfonia is supported by volunteers other than its trustees. Ten
Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | individuals volunteered their time to support Stafford Sinfonia during the reporting period, undertaking tasks such as preparing refreshments at concert intervals, publicising concerts and assisting with box office duties at events. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | N/A |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | In its second season after the return to activity after the COVID-19 pandemic, Stafford Sinfonia has again made great strides in serving its audiences in Staffordshire with high-quality orchestral music. Pre-pandemic (2019 and prior), Sinfonia presented three concerts per season averaging around 350 audience members between the three performances; in 2022-23, the orchestra presented four programmes in six concerts to a combined audience of over700, double our pre-pandemic audiences. We have expanded our relationship with Eccleshall’s Holy Trinity Churchand begun a new relationship withSt John’s Church in Staffordwho hosted a Christmas concert in December 2022. The artistic quality of the orchestra has continued to rise, driven by ambitious repertoire selection, member dedication and recruitment of high-quality musicians to its ranks. In November 2022, the orchestra welcomedLaurence Perkins, leading bassoon soloist and former principal of Manchester Camerata, to perform the Weber Bassoon Concerto in its 200th anniversary year. Stafford Sinfonia Leader Simon Coombsstepped forward to perform Dvořák’s Romance in F minor for violin and orchestra in November and in MarchPip Greenperformed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Principal FlautistKerensa Guesttook to the solo spot for our summer concerts performing Chaminade’s Concertino. Stafford Sinfonia continues to champion the music of female and black composers. In March we performed Joseph Bologne, |
Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
Chevalier de Saint Georges ’ Overture to The Anonymous Lover and in summer our “Music She Wrote” concerts showcased female composers with music by Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, Cécile Chaminade and Emilie Mayer - the first all-female-composed concert the Sinfonia has ever produced. Our Music Director Jack Lovell-Huckle led our concerts in November, December and March but was asked to assist CBSO Chief Conductor Kazuki Yamada on the CBSO’s tour of Japan in June-July 2023, so Stafford Sinfonia engaged rising young conductor Melvin Tay to conduct our ‘Music She Wrote’ concerts. Melvin is in high demand with professional orchestras across the UK including Manchester Camerata, BBC Philharmonic and Liverpool Philharmonic and led Sinfonia in two performances, developing the musicians of the orchestra and bringing a new perspective to our music-making. Jack returns for our concerts from November 2023 and remains committed to Stafford Sinfonia for the foreseeable future. The orchestra continued to grow its membership, with only one viola and one double-bass vacancy as of 31 August 2023. In April 2023, a new Stafford Sinfonia website was launched with integrated membership functionality leading to a number of new memberships. A new ‘front row’ seat option for concerts has also seen an increase in higher value ticket purchases whilst keeping the existing seating options and associated costs available for customers who Sinfonia appreciates are experiencing the effects of the cost of living crisis. Financially, overall income was up 34% compared with 2021-22, whilst costs were carefully controlled and in spite of increasing the number of events, only increased by 18% on 2021-22. This resulted in a surplus of £1,152.20 for the year. This surplus will be invested in engaging professional sectional tutors and high-quality soloists in future seasons and mitigating uncertain cost inflation such as venue hire which has increased significantly due to rising utility costs for the venues Sinfonia uses.
Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
Greater income was achieved through the increase in the number of events and excellent ticket sales for the period resulted in a 58% increase in door sales compared with 2021-22, the large membership and a review of subscription rates from January 2023 resulted in a 21% increase in membership donations compared to 2021-22, and advertising revenues (which includes a sponsorship of our Spring Classics programme by Tim Toft Violins) resulted in a 62% increase on 2021-22.
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: | ||
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
Having recorded a deficit in 2021-22, the Trustees budgeted for a modest surplus in 2022-23. This has been achieved. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Stafford Sinfonia continued its recruitment campaign for playing members and launched a new website which features an integrated membership function which has led to a number of new Friends of Stafford Sinfonia in the period. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Stafford Sinfonia does not make investments. |
| Other | N/A |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Stafford Sinfonia is in a good financial position, with sufficient reserves and an operating surplus of £1,152.20 for the period. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Stafford Sinfonia holds reserves to cover the costs associated with a need to cancel activity at short notice as happened in the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trustees have determined reserves should be set at 2 concerts’worth of lost income: £1,800. |
| Amount of reservesheld | Para 1.22 | £2068.88 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
Explanation of any Para 1.23 uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern
The trustees are satisfied that Stafford Sinfonia is a going concern, with sufficient operational funds and reserves to plan and deliver future activity.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Earned income: concert tickets, programme sales and programme advertising. Donations: member musicians and Friends of Stafford Sinfonia |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Stafford Sinfonia does not make investments. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The main risk to the charity is an inability to give concerts, or to hold rehearsals, due to COVID-19 restrictions in future. The trustees consider this a medium risk and monitor the situation carefully. A low risk is that the Music Director may resign from Stafford Sinfonia. Such a situation may lead to a fall in playing standards. The Music Director has occasionally been unavailable for rehearsals but a suitable deputy has been engaged (as happened in summer 2023, when a very high quality deputy was sourced in Melvin Tay). A low risk is that of losing key musician members, for example the leader or wind principals. During the absence of activity due to COVID-19, some musicians decided not to re-join Sinfonia on its return. Sinfonia has now recruited excellent musicians to all positions and has implemented a deputy list where, should a musician need to be absent or resigns their position, deputy musicians of a high standard are ready to join the orchestra. This deputies scheme has been very successful, allowing Stafford Sinfonia to programme for larger forces than its membership on occasion, as is planned for the concert of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony in the 2023-24 season. |
| Other | N/A |
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Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | As described in article 13 of Stafford Sinfonia’s constitution (“Appointment of Charity Trustees”): a. At every annual general meeting of the members of the CIO, one-third of the charity trustees shall retire from office. If the number of charity trustees is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one-third shall retire from office, but if there is only one charity trustee, he or she shall retire; b. The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. If any trustees were last appointed or reappointed on the same day those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree among themselves) be determined by lot; c. The vacancies so arising may be filled by the decision of the members at the annual general meeting; any vacancies not filled at the annual general meeting may be filled as provided in sub-clause (e) of this clause; d. The members or the charity trustees may at any time decide to appoint a new charity trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee who has retired or been removed in accordance with clause 15 (Retirement and removal of charity trustees), or as an additional charity trustee, provided that the limit specified in clause 12(c) (Charity trustees) on the number of charity trustees would not as a result be exceeded; e. A person so appointed by the members of the CIO shall retire in |
Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
accordance with the provisions of sub-clauses (b) and (c) of this clause. A person so appointed by the charity trustees shall retire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting after the date of his or her appointment, and shall not be counted for the purpose of determining which of the charity trustees is to retire by rotation at that meeting.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Trustees must read Stafford Sinfonia’s constitution and affirm they are legally permitted to act as a trustee of Stafford Sinfonia. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The members of Stafford Sinfonia appoint the trustees. The trustees appoint the Music Director. The members also appoint among themselves officers as desired, including publicity officer and librarian. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The chair of Stafford Sinfonia is married to the Music Director, who is a paid freelancer who provides conducting services to the CIO. The chair is not permitted to be present when discussing the Music Director’s contract, including whether the Music Director’s contract may be extended, the fees and expenses due to the Music Director or whether to terminate the Music Director’s contract. |
| Other | N/A | |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Stafford Sinfonia |
|---|---|
Other name the charity uses |
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| Registered charity number | 1196465 |
| Charity’s principal address | 22 Copeland Drive Stone ST15 8YP |
Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Nam e of pers on (or bod y) entit led to app oint trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastian Lovell-Huckle |
Chair | Whole year N/A |
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| Simon Coombs | Secretary | Wholeyear N/A |
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| Kerensa Guest | Treasurer | Wholeyear N/A |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Stafford Sinfonia does not hold funds on behalf of others. held in this capacity Name and objects of the Stafford Sinfonia does not hold funds on behalf of others. charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Stafford Sinfonia does not hold funds on behalf of others. safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Jack Lovell-Huckle: Music Director
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
N/A
Other optional information
N/A
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Kerensa Guest
Full name(s) Sebastian Lovell-Huckle Position (eg Secretary, Chair Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 20 November 2023
Stafford Sinfonia Trustees Report for the period 2022-23
Stafford Sinfonia Accounts 2022/2023
| (Accounts 2021/2022) | (Accounts 2021/2022) | (Accounts 2021/2022) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money In | Subs | £3,585.50 | £2,952.50 |
| Door (inc programmes) | £5,366.10 | £3,406.95 | |
| Advertising Revenue | £655.00 | £405.00 | |
| Friends of the Sinfonia | £100.00 | £105.00 | |
| Social Events | £0.00 | £432.29 | |
| Donations | £258.65 | £131.67 | |
| Total Money In | £9,965.25 | £7,433.41 | |
| Money Out | Hire of Tillington School | £1,120.00 | £1,160.00 |
| MD's fees | £3,400.00 | £3,141.10 | |
| Making Music Membership | £186.00 | £141.00 | |
| Publicity | £173.94 | £152.26 | |
| Hire of Venues | £1,575.00 | £1,575.00 | |
| Payments to Players | £780.00 | £730.00 | |
| Refreshments | £26.65 | £17.48 | |
| Programme Printing | £135.44 | £187.46 | |
| SumUp/Website Fees | £372.52 | ||
| Social Events | £0.00 | £355.00 | |
| Ticket Revenue Share | £1,025.00 | ||
| Misc | £18.50 | £29.99 | |
| Total Money Out | £8,813.05 | £7,489.29 | |
| Opening Bank | Balance 01/09/22 £2,866.87 |
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| Closing Bank Balance 31/08/23 £4,019.07 |
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| Surplus for Year £1,152.20 |
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| Business Saver Account Balance £2,068.88 |
£2,054.47 |