Trustees’ Annual Report
for the period
1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
Charity Name: Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra CIO Charity registration number: 1196946
Page 1
Objectives and activities
The objects of Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra CIO are 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.
Our mission is to enjoy, celebrate and advance the art of music, for our members, our community and our audiences.
This involves:
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Advancing the art of music through rehearsal and performance of a varied repertoire.
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Making music together for fun, enjoyment, social interaction and social engagement.
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Supporting and helping members to develop their musicianship.
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Enjoying playing the saxophone across a range of different musical styles.
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Performing music, entertaining and promoting the versatility of the saxophone to a community audience.
The charity’s Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Achievements and performance
Throughout the reporting period, Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra (PSO/the Charity/the Orchestra) has ably fulfilled its objectives (of advancing, improving, developing and maintaining the public’s appreciation of music) and has contributed to the financial resources of charities by the following activities.
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The Orchestra held 23 rehearsals comprising 51 hours of rehearsal time within the reporting period, enabling our members to develop and improve their playing ability.
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The Orchestra hosted a workshop with jazz musician Dan Forshaw in March, attended by approximately 30 people, many who were not members of Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra.
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The Orchestra performed nine live performances in 2024.
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The highlight of the year was the concert at St Hugh’s Church, Market Harborough on 24 November with our Patron Gerard McChrystal. Gerard performed a selection of solo pieces and joined Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra as soloist in a performance of “Concertino” by Michael Orlovich, a technically challenging piece of music that significiantly developed members’ musicianship.
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The Orchestra’s 2024 performance programme included four fundraising concerts that helped raise more than £2,500 for local charities and good causes, namely: the St Mary Magdalene Church clock restoration project (Cottingham, Northants); the St Hugh’s Church Cygnet Project (Market Harborough); St Helen’s Church, Sibbertoft, and Desborough Library and Community Hub.
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We gave four concerts in park bandstands: Western Park, Leicester; New Park, Melton Mowbray; Rockingham Road Pleasure Park, Kettering; and Abington Park. We also supported Friends of West Hunsbury Park, performing in Hunsbury Hill Country Park as part of their summer programme of activities. Each audience appreciated our music.
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- All these concerts gave the public greater appreciation of music and the range of styles of music that the saxophone can perform.
Financial review
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The Charity is financially sound. In the reporting period income was £6475 and expenditure was £4560.
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The Charity holds reserves to mitigate the risk of loss of members and hence income, to provide funds for growing music repertoire, and to support music outreach through concert tours beyond the Midlands.
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The current reserve against loss of membership and committed expenditure at 31 December 2024 is £3500, and a reserve of £2,500 is held towards enabling members to perform in a joint concert with Saxophone Orchestra Manchester, and to participate in a concert tour to Isle of Wight, in 2025. Members pay subscriptions in advance, so the current bank balance includes reserves and subscriptions income for the first term of 2025.
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The benefit from concert performances has enabled the Orchestra to avoid increasing its subscription which could otherwise have disadvantaged some members.
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As at 31 December 2024, the Charity has no known uncertainties about continuing as a going concern.
Additional information
The Charity’s principal income is its members’ subscriptions, followed by income from concerts, workshops and any donations. The Charity has lost some members and gained new members during the reporting period, with the net impact being an increase to 16 performing members as at 31 December 2024.
The Charity’s principal costs are the cost of rehearsal venue and Musical Director fees.
The primary risk faced by the Charity is loss of income due to loss of members (for which there are many potential causes relating to work, health, and family demands). The second risk faced by the Charity is a knock-on impact of a loss of members – namely finding new members of an appropriate playing standard and who fit in with a small ensemble so the Charity can continue performing its repertoire to its current high standards.
Structure, governance and management
Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra CIO was established on 6 December 2021.
Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and is governed by a constitution (Association Model).
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The Charity has a Safeguarding policy.
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The Charity is a member of Making Music and has Bronze insurance which includes public liability insurance.
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The Charity maintains a website, Facebook page, X profile and YouTube Channel and promotes its activities in local, regional and specialist media including online print, radio and television to support the public’s awareness and appreciation of music, and our contribution thereto.
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Judith Allen resigned as Trustee and Secretary on 31 August 2024. Anne Hanson became Trustee and Secretary on X date 2024.
Reference and administrative details
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Charity name: Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra CIO
Registered charity number: 1196946
Principal address: 14, Church Lane, Long Clawson, Melton Mowbray LE14 4ND
Charity trustees:
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Dr Stephen Bashforth, Chair
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Judith Allen, Secretary (to 31 August 2024)
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Anne Hanson, Secretary (from date 2024)
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Dr Elizabeth Pearce, Treasurer
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Jane Smith, Communications Director
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees
Name
Position
Date
Page 4
Summary – Income and Expenditure
1[st] Jan 2024 – 31[st] Dec 2024
| 2023 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | Income | Expenditure | Balance | |
| Bank Balance 1 Jan 2024 | 5485.86 | ||||
| JoiningFees | 100.00 | 80.00 | |||
| Subscriptons | 3320.00 | 2720.00 | |||
| Performances | 2546.00 | 2985.25 | |||
| Workshops(1) | 1350.00 | 695.00 | 690.00 | 355.80 | |
| Musical Director Fees | 2178.77 | 2470.62 | |||
| Rehearsal Hall Fees | 979.50 | 864.00 | |||
| Deputes | 150.00 | 360.00 | |||
| Tour(2) | 3584.67 | 4344.75 | |||
| MakingMusic(3) | 183.24 | 208.24 | |||
| Music Purchase | 200.49 | 19.19 | |||
| Barclays Bank(4) | 50.00 | ||||
| Sundries(5) | 40.43 | 155.77 | 281.77 | ||
| Totals | 10991.10 | 8887.52 | 6475.25 | 4559.62 | |
| Bank Balance 31 Dec 2024 | 7401.49 |
Notes:
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2023 figure includes deposit for Dan Forshaw workshop Mar 2024
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Summary of all transactions relating to the 2023 tour
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Membership Fees, Insurance and PRS Fees
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Goodwill payment in acknowledgement of the bank’s delay in processing replacement signatory
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Including Marketing and Promotion