Friends of the Vox Trustee Report 2022/2023
Friends of the Vox was established for the public benefit, to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of choral music Friends of the Vox is passionate about the power of choral music to unite people from all walks of life. We strive to make a tangible difference in our local community and to foster connections on a global scale. Through our local initiatives, global connections, and the remarkable performances of our choirs, we aspire to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. We firmly believe in the transformative power of choral music, and hope that you will join us to support our vision. Together we can nurture a passionate and thriving musical community.
2022/2023 season performance review
The 2022/2023 season has been a thrilling year of celebrating contemporary choral music in our local communities. Both Vox Populi and Vox Anima Chamber Choir have been involved in outreach programmes and celebrating the music of living composers. Vox Anima Chamber Choir has premiered three new pieces of music commissioned by them, and musical friendships have been formed around the globe.
October 2022
The World premiere of Dan Forrest’s LUX for upper voices, commissioned by Vox Anima Chamber Choir was performed by the choir in Tonbridge chapel in October 2022. The commission was made possible by a platinum sponsor and it marks the first of what the choir hopes will be many commissions made possible by their sponsors.
Winter concerts
Vox Populi and Vox Anima Chamber Choir performed in a number of concerts in the winter period. Vox Populi performed John Rutter's Magnificat at St Mary’s West Malling. The chamber choir put on a varied performance of music which featured the world premiere of Dan Forrest’s arrangement of In the Bleak Midwinter, commissioned by the choir.
Vox Anima Chamber Choir USA Tour
February 2023 saw the chamber choir fly to the United States to take part in three concerts, in Macon Georgia, Atlanta Georgia, and culminating in a performance in New York. The choir stayed with hosts from the local churches and joined with 100 other singers to give the American premiere of Dan Forrest’s LUX for upper voices, with the composer in attendance playing the piano.
Conductng workshop
In April 2023 Jamie Meaders taught the VIAT and St Mary’s Scholars in a conducting workshop, with Vox Anima Chamber Choir providing the ensemble for them to conduct. Each student was able to practice what they had been learning with Jamie, with a live choir, and see the difference their actions as a conductor made to the performance of the singers. A great time was had by all, and one student is considering switching her university course choice to music.
May 2023 concert
In May 2023 Vox Populi joined with the VIAT choir and St Mary’s West Malling church choir to give a joint concert featuring singers from ages 7 to 70. The programme featured Philip Stopford’s Missa Deus Nobiscum and the choir were delighted at the end of the concert when Philip Stopford emerged from the audience.
June 2023 concert
Vox Anima Chamber Choir made their Southwark Cathedral debut in June 2023 as part of the Vox Anima London concert series. The choir performed Dan Forrest’s LUX and supported the second part of the programme, singing the Benedictus from Philip Stopford’s Missa Deus Nobiscum.
Concentus choir exchange
In July 2023 the chamber choir welcomed Concentus Women’s choir from Rochester New York to Kent for a weekend of music making. Concentus and their friends and family were hosted by the chamber choir and had a wonderful weekend of music making together. The choirs joined Sutton Valence Choral society for a walk and sing through the Weald of Kent and the weekend culminated in a joint performance at Tonbridge Chapel. The concert included a new commission, Being Me, by Joanna Gill, which was commissioned to mark the occasion of the exchange. Joanna Gill was in the audience along with the chamber choir patron Cecilia McDowall. The choir have made firm friends with Concentus and are hoping they can arrange a return trip to Rochester in the future.
Charity updates
The Trustees identified that in order for the organisation to grow, a paid member of staff was needed to create a website and secure funding for new projects. A freelancer was employed for 1 day per week on a 6-month trial to develop the organisation and get some of the outreach projects off the ground.
One trustee has resigned, to take up the freelance role, so the organisation is currently actively seeking a new trustee.
Funding
The new freelance role is looking at the funding strategy for the organisation and is putting together details of projects for the 2023/2024 season, and going forward, that will require funding. The gift aid from choir subscriptions and other donations is being used to subsidise this role.
The Vox Anima Chamber Choir sponsorship programme was very successful in its first year, with many sponsors choosing to renew for a second year. The choir has been seeking and has secured new sponsors. Commissions funded by sponsors are being written and prepared for performance in the 2023/2024 season.
Trust Gross Income was under £25k (£19k) for the year and therefore an Independent Review was not required by the Charity CommissionThe Treasurer approached Anthony Royle of Tax Assist Ashford and asked him to look over the charity accounts and advise as to any irregularities or errors / omissions. He had a full view of the charity bank statements, cashbook and invoices for the year and was able to do an independent review as required by the Charity Commission. His report:-
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1.all bank items have been included in Income and Expenses.
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Opening and closing balances agree to bank statements
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Change on bank agrees to net income & expenses for year
Anthony was thanked for his review which he donated free of charge.
Board of Trustees as at October 2023 Chair - Laura Cloke Secretary - Cathy Booth Treasurer - Alexandra Meaders Member - Becky Clifford Member - Thomas Best-Shaw
Plus Artistic advisor - James Meaders Development advisor - Hannah Pinney
Report writen by Laura Cloke - 13 October 2023
Friends of the Vox
Summary of Income and Expenses from 1 September 2022 - 31 August 2023
| Income | Expenses | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vox Populi | |||||||||||
| Subs 2022 - 2023 | £5,010.00 | General expenses | -£366.51 | ||||||||
| General fundraising | £247.50 | Accompanist | -£2,140.00 | ||||||||
| Rehearsal venue | -£1,000.00 | ||||||||||
| Dec 2022 concert | £850.10 | Dec 2022 concert | -£181.99 | ||||||||
| May 2023 concert | £770.77 | May 2023 concert | -£256.66 | ||||||||
| £6,878.37 | -£3,945.16 | ||||||||||
| Vox Anima Chamber Choir | |||||||||||
| Subs 2022 - 2023 | £2,685.00 | General expenses | -£3,112.37 | ||||||||
| Sponsorship | £3,450.00 | Accompanist | -£3,040.00 | ||||||||
| General fundraising | £0.00 | ||||||||||
| Oct 2022 concert | £1,914.13 | Oct 2022 concert | -£3,330.00 | ||||||||
| Dec 2022 concert | £477.00 | Dec 2022 concert | £0.00 | ||||||||
| July 2023 concert | £583.16 | July 2023 concert | -£845.00 | ||||||||
| US trip 2023 | -£0.01 | ||||||||||
| £9,109.28 | -£10,327.37 | ||||||||||
| Choirs shared items | |||||||||||
| Shared income | £431.00 | Shared expenses | -£1,071.00 | ||||||||
| Monthly Payments to J Meaders | -£4,200.00 | ||||||||||
| £431.00 | -£5,271.00 | ||||||||||
| FoTV general | |||||||||||
| Gift aid | £2,600.15 | Development consultant and website | -£244.80 | ||||||||
| Total | £19,018.80 | Total | -£19,788.33 | ||||||||
| Current account balance | £8,489.25 | Opening balance | £9,258.78 | ||||||||
| Uncleared | £0.00 | Shared expenses | -£4,840.00 | ||||||||
| FoTV | £2,355.35 | ||||||||||
| VP I/E in year | £2,933.21 | ||||||||||
| VACC I/E in year | -£1,218.09 | ||||||||||
| Available funds | £8,489.25 | £8,489.25 | |||||||||
| Split of funds | VP | £1,204.72 | |||||||||
| VACC | £4,929.19 | ||||||||||
| FoTV | £2,355.35 | ||||||||||
| £8,489.25 | |||||||||||