Church Music Society
Registered Charity No 1200306
2024 Report of the Trustees
www.church-music.org.uk
Registered Charity No
1200306
Address
49 High Street Brampton Huntingdon PE28 4TQ
President
The Most Reverend Bernard Longley Archbishop of Birmingham
Vice-Presidents Judith Bingham OBE Dr Simon Lindley Dr Philip Moore Geraint Bowen Richard Lyne Dr Michael Nicholas Dr Harry Bramma Dr Martin Neary LVO Prof. James O’Donnell LVO, KCSG Ian Curror Dr Cecilia McDowall Dr Alan Thurlow Carl Jackson MVO
Patrons
The Right Reverend Guli Francis-Dehqani Bishop of Chelmsford The Lord Glenarthur Sir James MacMillan CBE
Honorary Life Members Shirley Dex Anne Langley John Roch Anne Fleming Jeanne Roberts
Executive Committee and Trustees
Chairman Professor Patrick Russill
David Condry Trevor Ford Dr Christopher Ouvry-Johns Julian Elloway (co-opted)* Michael D Harris The Revd Canon Dr Victoria Johnson Séan Farrell Dr Peter Horton
*co-opted 7 February 2024
Officers
Administrator Editor Kim Gilbert Dr Geoffrey Webber
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
�2
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 19 October 2024 at 4.00 pm in St Wilfrid’s Hall, The London Oratory, Brompton Road, London SW7 2RP
Welcome
Apologies for absence and messages of goodwill
-
In Memoriam
-
Minutes of the 2023 Annual General Meeting held 14 October 2023
-
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 March 2024
-
Publications Report
-
Elections
Under the Society’s Constitution, the following Trustees stand down at this AGM, but are eligible to stand for a further three years and have indicated their willingness to do so:
Trevor Ford, The Revd Canon Dr Victoria Johnson, Dr Christopher Ouvry-Johns.
Election of Julian Elloway to the Trustee board.
The appointments of Chairman and non-executive honorary positions are made by the Trustees but are offered to the membership for approbation.
- Subscriptions for the coming year:
No changes are proposed:
Corporate and Individual Membership to remain at £25 ;
Free Associate Membership without voting rights is available to those under 30, or 75 and over.
-
Any Other Business
-
Presentation to Dr Simon Lindley, Vice-President and Secretary of the Society, 1991–2023.
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
3
Minutes of the 117[th] Annual General Meeting of the Church Music Society
held on Saturday 14 October 2023 at 1.30 pm
in the Grimshaw Room, Church House, at the Metropolitan Cathedral Church and Basilica of St Chad, St Chad’s Queensway, Birmingham B4 6EU
Present
His Grace the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, President The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, Immediate Past President
Dr Alan Thurlow, Vice-President Trevor Ford, Trustee [Acting Chairman] Kim Gilbert, Treasurer Dr Simon Lindley, Secretary John Roch, Life Member Victoria Highet, Member
Welcome
The Acting Chairman welcomed all present.
Presentation to the Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, Dean Emeritus of Hereford, President of the Society 2005– 2020.
The Chairman paid tribute to the work that Father Michael had undertaken as President of the Society. The Acting Chairman then presented to Father Michael a bound volume containing three of the Society’s publications which Father Michael had chosen. Father Michael responded with his thanks for the presentation and spoke of why he had chosen these pieces and the resonances they had for him.
Address on the musical history of St Chad’s Cathedral.
Professor David Saint, Director of Music at St Chad’s Cathedral, gave an outline of the musical history of the Cathedral.
Apologies for absence and messages of goodwill
Apologies and goodwill messages had been received from:
Chairman of Trustees: Professor Patrick Russill, who was unable to attend due to illness.
Patron: The Lord Glenarthur
Vice-Presidents: Judith Bingham OBE, Dr Cecilia MacDowall, Geraint Bowen, Dr Harry Bramma, Ian Curror, Carl Jackson MVO, Richard Lyne, Dr Philip Moore, Dr Michael Nicholas, Professor James O’Donnell LVO
Honorary Life Members: Shirley Dex, Anne Fleming, Anne Langley, Jeanne Roberts
Trustees: Tansy Castledine, David Condry, Séan Farrell, Robert Gower, Michael Harris, Dr Peter Horton, The Revd Canon Dr Victoria Johnson, Dr Christopher Ouvry-Johns
Members: G T Berryman, Henry Macey, Hugh Morris (Director, Royal School of Church Music), Professor Lionel Pike, Brian Plank, John Rippin
Officers: Dr Geoffrey Webber (General Editor)
1. In Memoriam
The Secretary advised that no deaths had been reported among the membership since the last AGM.
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
4
2. Minutes of the 2022 Annual General Meeting held at the London Oratory on 15 October 2022.
On the proposal of Victoria Highet, seconded by Trevor Ford, the Minutes of the 2022 Annual Meeting were approved unanimously.
3. Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 March 2023
On the proposal of Dr Simon Lindley, seconded by Dr Alan Thurlow, the Trustees’ Report was received.
Trevor Ford advised the meeting that these accounts were the final accounts for the old charity before the transfer of assets to the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1 April 2023. There were no transactions undertaken by the CIO prior to 1 April 2023.
Kim Gilbert thanked John Roch for his invaluable assistance in the preparation to the accounts and in facilitating a smooth handover.
4. Publications Report
In the absence due to ill-health of the General Editor, Dr Geoffrey Webber, the Acting Chairman drew Members’ attention to the Publications Report which formed part of the Society’s Annual Report. This covered the period from last year’s AGM, 15 October 2022 until the end of the Society’s accounting year, 31 March 2023.
In his written report the General Editor thanked the members of the Publications Sub-Committee for their work: the Chairman, Trustees Timothy Byram-Wigfield and Tansy Castledine, together with Dr Henry Parkes of Nottingham University.
New publications
New publications issued were as follows:
In the ‘Reprint’ series:
John Sheppard Reges tharsis, ed. Sally Dunkley Solemn Notes of Sweetest Sound ‘Sacred music for upper voices and organ from the Charity Institutions for girls and boys in Georgian London’, ed. Rachel Webber William Child O Lord, grant the King a long life (verse anthem), ed. Geoffrey Webber
- also available as digital download
Reprintings
The following items were reprinted due to lack of stock:
Philip Moore Preces and Responses (also reprinted last year) Felix Mendelssohn For he shall give his angels Denis Browne Magnificat & Nunc dimittis in A Herbert Howells Haec dies Daniel Purcell Magnificat & Nunc dimittis in E minor
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
5
CMS Website
The following compositions and editions by Society members had been posted on the ‘Music downloads’ page on the website:
William Byrd O Lord, make thy servant … Charles , ed. Geoffrey Webber Orlando Gibbons Grant, O Holy Trinity , ed. Geoffrey Webber
Under Lectures and Papers, one new item had been added (to complement the issue of the Short Evening Service by Nicholas Strogers):
Geoffrey Webber ‘David’s Mystery and Mary’s History’: The Alternative Canticles at Evensong, (i) From the Reformation to the Interregnum
5. Elections
Under the Society’s Constitution, one-third of the Trustees stand down each year. Timothy Byram-Wigfield and Tansy Castledine were standing down at this meeting and not offering themselves for re-election. The Acting Chairman thanked them for their service. Robert Gower and David Condry were also standing down, but were eligible to stand for a further term and had indicated their willingness to do so. On the proposal of Trevor Ford, seconded by John Roch, both were unanimously re-elected.
The following appointments to non-executive honorary positions had been made by the Trustees but were offered to the membership for approbation:
The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor – Vice President
The citation referred to Father Michael as ‘a priest of rare musical sensibility, pastoral sensitivity and wisdom’ and his tenure as President of the Society 2005–2020 being distinguished by his ‘gentleness, prayerfulness and unwavering support’.
Mr John Roch – Honorary Life Member
The citation noted that John Roch, a Life Member of the Society since 1964, ‘served as the Church Music Society’s Treasurer from 2016 until 2022. Not only did he bring an admirable clarity to the production and presentation of the Society’s accounts, he also applied painstaking care to the presentation and graphic design of the Society’s communications to the members’.
Miss Shirley Dex – Honorary life Member
The citation noted that ‘Shirley Dex has been a member of the Church Music Society for at least 57 years... and is widely known to generations of CMS members and officers, particularly because of her exemplary involvement in the governance of the Society at membership level through her attendance and participation in discussion at AGMs over 50 and more years’.
6. Subscriptions for the coming year
The Trustees proposed that from 1 January 2024, the subscription rates and structure be as follows:
Corporate and Individual Membership to remain at £25;
Free Associate Membership without voting rights is available to those under 30, or 75 and over.
On the proposal from the Chair, this was noted.
7. Other Business
Trevor Ford advised the meeting that Dr Simon Lindley was standing down as the Society’s Secretary after 32 years of dedicated service. Dr Lindley would continue his association with the CMS as a Vice President, and as Honorary Consultant to the Publications Committee. Trevor Ford advised that more formal thanks would be offered to Dr Lindley in due course.
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
6
8. Presentation to Mr John Roch
The Acting Chairman paid tribute to the work which Mr Roch had undertaken as Treasurer from 2016 until 2022 before presenting him with two books.
The meeting closed and was followed by tea.
After tea, the afternoon ended with members attending the 4.30 Mass in the Cathedral, which was celebrated by the President who also preached, and with music provided by Cathedral Choir under the direction of Professor David Saint. The organist was John Pryer. The music included Howells’ Mass in the Dorian Mode , published by the Society and edited by the Chairman.
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
7
2024 Report of the Trustees
Introduction
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their 2024 report.
The Society was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 8 September 2022. As reported at the 2023 AGM, the process of transferring the banking and investment accounts from the old charity to the CIO continued throughout the rest of the 2022–23 financial year, with the final transfer of balances taking place on 31 March 2023.
There were no transactions through the CIO’s bank account prior to 1 April 2023. The accounts presented at the 2024 AGM are therefore the first accounts of the new charity (CIO).
During the year the Trustees have been carefully monitoring the Society’s sales and finances within the context of the music publishing market and trends, and have determined that a careful comprehensive review will need to be undertaken.
Structure and Governance
The Society is administered by its Executive Committee, whose members are elected annually by the Annual General Meeting and serve as its Trustees. One third retire by rotation each year and are eligible for re-election in accordance with the Constitution.
In November 2023, Robert Gower stood down as a Trustee. Julian Elloway was co-opted in his place (7 February 2024). There were no other changes to the personnel of the Trustees during the year.
Dr Simon Lindley retired as Secretary at the 2023 AGM. Following a review of Officers’ responsibilities, the Trustees decided to combine the functions of Secretary and Treasurer, and invited the Treasurer, Kim Gilbert, to accept the new office and role of Administrator from 1 January 2024. The Trustees were delighted that she accepted.
The Executive Committee has met digitally on a regular basis, as has the Publications Sub-Committee.
The Officers attend the meetings of the Trustees.
This year’s Annual General Meeting will be held at St Wilfrid’s Hall, The London Oratory, Brompton Road, London SW7 on Saturday 19 October 2024.
Publications - April 2023 - March 2024
New publications
In the ‘Reprint’ series: Preces & Responses Vol. 2
Louisa Bagot Thomas Tallis
Preces & Responses by Gibbons & Barnard, Richard Ayleward, William Child, John Reading & Thomas Ebdon, with settings of the Lord’s Prayer by John Farmer and Richard Allison, and Final Amens by Orlando Gibbons and William Mundy, ed. Geoffrey Webber If we believe that Jesus died , ed. Geoffrey Webber Homo quidam , ed. Sally Dunkley
In the ‘Original’ series: Jack Redman Paul Trepte Rupert Jeffcoat Martindale Sidwell *David Trendell
May the Mind of Christ A Golden String Missa Verbum supernum & Tantum ergo Three Carol Arrangements Preces & Responses
- also available as digital download
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
8
Titles reprinted due to lack of stock :
John Blow God is our hope and strength Michael Wise The ways of Sion do mourn Matthew Locke How doth the city sit solitary Love Divine Four hymns (Maurice Bevan, Howells and others) Maurice Bevan There’s a wideness in God’s mercy Adrian Batten The Fourth Evening Service Graham Ellis There is no rose Herbert Howells Mass in the Dorian Mode Kenneth Leighton Communion Service in D (congregational part)
Additions to the website
Compositions and editions by Society members for free download from the ‘Music and Downloads’ page:
Norman Harper St George’s Mass (edition with Roman Catholic texts) Henry Cooke Behold, O God our defender , ed. Samuel Teague Henry Lawes Zadock the Priest , ed. Samuel Teague & Geoffrey Webber Thomas Weelkes The Sixth Service , Magnificat & Nunc dimittis (SAATB & Organ), reconstructed by Geoffrey Webber The Lord’s Prayer 16th-c. English settings, ed. Geoffrey Webber: Anonymous, Wanley partbooks (AATB, also arr. for SATB), Anonymous, Wanley partbooks (TTB), John Sheppard (SAATB), William Parsons (1563; SATB), William Daman (1579; ATTB), William Daman (1591 tune in Tenor; ATTB) & William Daman (1591(ii) tune in Cantus; SATB).
Articles on the ‘Lectures and Papers’ page:
Geoffrey Webber ‘Music by women composers performed at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and Canterbury Cathedral during the 19th century.’ With an Appendix containing editions of music by Eleanor Bagot, Mary Canning, E. J. Hirst, Anna Jarrett, Clara Macirone, Catherine Musgrave and Charlotte Sneyd. Geoffrey Webber ‘For the King’s Day’: the royal anthems of Thomas Weelkes’ (based on the CMS lecture given at the Southern Cathedrals Festival in Chichester, July 2023).
Music Issue Distributions
The mailing of music to members, in accordance with their membership rights, continues to be handled by Banks Music Publications. Mailings are planned to be biannual, in January and early summer.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
The Society’s Policy on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion may be found on the website.
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
9
General Data Protection Regulation
A careful review of the Society’s GDPR arrangements was undertaken this year, and The Trustees believe that these arrangements are currently fully compliant and secure.
Risk Policy
The Society’s Risk Policy is reviewed every year.
The Society does not have a great exposure to direct risk. The main commercial risk is from inadvertent use of images or the reproduction of music for which permission is needed from the copyright holders. The Trustees are careful in review of these matters.
Reserves and Investment Policy
The Trustees have concentrated most of the Society’s investments in the Charities Official Investment Fund for Income, and the M&G Charifund for Capital Growth. This is considered to be the most appropriate policy to maintain income and protect capital.
The charity does not aim to have an excess of receipts over payments on an annual basis. General cash reserves are kept low, but at a sufficient level to meet six months’ worth of normal expenditure.
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
10
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 March 2024
| Incoming resources Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investments Other Resources expended Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Other NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Total Total |
£ 3,573.75 6,842.77 6,883.62 17.55 17,317.69 1,295.22 14,110.21 8,211.27 23,616.70 (6,299.01) |
|---|---|
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 March 2024
| Guidance Notes Incoming resources Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities 2 Investments Other Resources expended Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Other BEFORE GAINS/(LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS Net gains/(losses) on investments Extraordinary items 1 Reconciliation of funds: TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD Total Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Gains and losses on revaluation of fixed assets for the charity’s own use NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Total funds brought forward |
Unrestricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prior year funds £ £ £ £ 3,573.75 - 3,573.75 - 6,842.77 - 6,842.77 - 6,883.62 6,883.62 - 17.55 17.55 - 17,317.69 - 17,317.69 - 1,295.22 - 1,295.22 - 14,110.21 - 14,110.21 - 8,211.27 - 8,211.27 - 23,616.70 - 23,616.70 - (6,299.01) - (6,299.01) - (471.00) (3,954.14) (4,425.14) - (6,770.01) (3,954.14) (10,724.15) - 37,560.73 100,551.00 138,111.73 - - - - - 30,790.72 96,596.86 127,387.58 - |
|---|---|
| - - - - 30,790.72 96,596.86 127,387.58 - |
11
Balance Sheet at 31 March 2024
| Fixed assets Investments Total fixed assets Current assets Cash at bank Total current assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 3 Net current assets/(liabilities) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Funds of the Charity 4 Endowment funds Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds 5 TOTAL FUNDS |
Unrestricted funds Endowment funds Total this year Total last year £ £ £ £ 25,470.00 96,596.86 122,066.86 - 25,470.00 96,596.86 122,066.86 - 7,251.72 - 7,251.72 - 7,251.72 - 7,251.72 - 1,931.00 - 1,931.00 - 5,320.72 - 5,320.72 - 30,790.72 96,596.86 127,387.58 - |
|---|---|
| - 96,596.86 96,596.86 - - - 30,790.72 - 30,790.72 - 30,790.72 96,596.86 127,387.58 - |
Other Assets
The Society has stocks of music and copyrights which are not included, as valuation has been considered impractical.
Valuation
The investments are stated at the market value as 31 March 2024. Historical costs are shown in note 4.
12
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
1. Accounts
These are the opening accounts of the new CMS Charitable Incorporated Organisation (No 1200306) which show the transfer of assets and undertakings from the
The Extraordinary item on the SoFA represents the transfer of funds and assets from the previous charity (No 290309). All assets and liabilities were transferred to the new CIO on 1 April 2023.
2. Royalties and fees
Oxford University Press has been granted exclusive rights under royalties agreements.
In July 2022 OUP overpaid the Society for royalties then due. After taking our credit for the full amount of royalties actually due in the year, at 31 March 2024 the outstanding balance due to OUP was £1,930.74.
3. Creditors
Oxford University Press Balance of overpayment as at 31 March (See also Note 2) £1,930.74
4. Permanent Endowment Fund
The Permanent Endowment Fund was set up to maintain the capital of the Charity equating to funds held by the Charity on its reconstitution in 1984. The income is available for the general purposes of the Charity while the capital is maintained. The fund was transferred from the old charity to the new CIO on 1 April 2023.
| Acquisition | Cost | Value at | Change in | Value at | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| date | transfer | value | 31.3.24 | |||
| COIF Charities Fixed Interest Fund | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income Units | 7,424.00 | 31.8.93 | ||||
| 10,000.00 | 8,757.00 | 372.86 | 9,129.86 | |||
| M&G Equities Investment Fund for Charities (Charifund) | ||||||
| 2,874.00 | 09.08.93 | 20,000.00 | ||||
| 1,342.00 | 05.03.02 | 15,000.00 | ||||
| 888.00 | 14.08.01 | 10,000.00 | ||||
| 903.00 | 07.10.01 | 10,000.00 | ||||
| 6,007.00 | 55,000.00 | 89,094.00 | (1,627.00) | 87,467.00 | ||
| 97,851.00 | (1,254.14) | 96,596.86 | ||||
| Balfour Beatty | ||||||
| Redemption proceeds due | - | 2,700.00 | (2,700.00) | - | ||
| 65,000.00 | 100,551.00 | (1,254.14) | 96,596.86 |
The net loss on the investments held in the endowment fund includes shares in Balfour Beatty which have been written off due to its being impossible to prove the Society’s beneficial ownership.
Church Music Society
13
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
5. General Fund
| Acquisition | Cost | Value at | Change in | Value at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| date | transfer | value | 31.3.24 | ||
| M&G Equities Investment Fund for Charities (Charifund) | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Charifund units | |||||
| 1,383.00 | 31.03.02 | 10,707.00 | |||
| 366.00 | 03.06.04 | 4,000.00 | |||
| 1,749.00 | 14,707.00 | 25,941.00 | (471.00) | 25,470.00 |
6. Related party transactions
a. The trustees are not remunerated b. Fees have been paid to Officers as follows.
| G Webber | Editor | £4,155 |
|---|---|---|
| S Lindley | Secretary | £2,320 |
| K Gilbert | Treasurer | £2,240 |
| J D Roch | Treasurer | - |
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
14
Signed
Kim Gilbert Administrator
Patrick Russill Chairman
Date
16 September 2024
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
15
Church Music Society
Charitable Objectives
The Church Music Society is a national charity, founded in 1906: the current Constitution was adopted in 2021.
The Church Music Society exists to advance the education of the public in the art and science of church music, primarily by publishing music of the highest quality, both in context and presentation, for the diverse needs of the Christian Church and by disseminating information and co-operating with like-minded organisations.
Public Benefit
The Trustees consider that the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit is met by the production of high-quality music, available to all interested parties of any denomination or those with a general musical interest, and not otherwise generally obtainable through commercial publishers, and by its provision of a platform for research and educational material. The Church Music Society relies on investments and the income from music sales through the Oxford University Press to cover its operating costs.
Membership
Membership is open to all interested in the objects of the Society on payment of an annual subscription.
Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2024
Church Music Society
16