Trustees’ Annual Report
for the period
1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
Charity Name: Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra CIO Charity registration number: 1196946
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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 22 rehearsals comprising 52 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 professional saxophonist Alastair Penman in March, attended by a record 28 people, most of whom were not members of Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra.
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The Orchestra gave nine live performances in 2025.
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The highlight of the year was a concert tour to the Isle of Wight where we performed −
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two joint concerts with Wight Sax at Bembridge Village Hall and Newport Minster − and a solo concert at Rylstone Gardens Bandstand in Shanklin.
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In September, we performed a joint concert with Saxophone Orchestra Manchester (SOM) in St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Macclesfield, raising money for SOM’s charity of the year, the Olympias Music Foundation. This was a celebration of the sound of saxophone, with more than 80 saxophones performing four joint numbers.
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We were invited to perform as part of the Harrington Concert Series in October and our programme was very well received.
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The Orchestra’s 2025 performance programme included fundraising concerts that helped raise money for local charities and good causes, namely Desborough Library and Community Hub and Market Harborough’s Jubilee Food Bank.
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We gave two concerts in park bandstands: New Park, Melton Mowbray and Abington Park.
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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 £11,189.52 and expenditure was £9147.82.
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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 2025 is £4,000 and a reserve of £5,400 is held towards enabling members to undertake a future tour to Europe and to participate in a joint concerts in 2027 with the Magic Voices choirs and Yorkshire Saxophone Choir.
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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 2025, 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 19 performing members as at 31 December 2025.
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.
Reference and administrative details
Charity name: Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra CIO
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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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Anne Hanson, Secretary
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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
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Summary – Income and Expenditure
1[st] Jan 2025 – 31[st] Dec 2025
| 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | Income | Expenditure | Balance | |
| Bank Balance 1 Jan 2025 | 7401.49 | ||||
| JoiningFees | 80.00 | 60.00 | |||
| Subscriptons | 2720.00 | 3390.00 | |||
| Gif Aid | 866.52 | ||||
| Performances | 2985.25 | 1638.00 | |||
| Workshops | 690.00 | 355.80 | 840.00 | 420.00 | |
| Musical Director Fees | 2470.62 | 2367.90 | |||
| Rehearsal Hall Fees | 864.00 | 1014.00 | |||
| Deputes Fees | 360.00 | 150.00 | |||
| Isle of Wight Tour | 4110.00 | 4090.76 | |||
| Macclesfeld Expenses | 462.17 | ||||
| MakingMusic(1) | 208.24 | 206.52 | |||
| Music Purchase | 19.19 | 90.42 | |||
| Christmas meal | 160.00 | 160.00 | |||
| Sundries | 281.77 | 125.00 | 186.05 | ||
| Totals | 6475.25 | 4559.62 | 11189.52 | 9147.82 | |
| Bank Balance 31 Dec 2025 | 9443.19 |
Notes
- Membership fee, Insurance, and PRS Fees