## Annual Report of Carlton Community Choir 

## January to December 2024 

Although not without challenges, 2024 has been a very successful one for Carlton community Choir (Halifax). We were successful at becoming registered as a charity in February 2024 and this is the first formal Annual Report to the Board of Trustees and the Charity Commissioners. 

Part 1 of this report concentrates on internal / operational activity and Part 2 records the achievements towards our Charitable Objectives. Of necessity there is some overlap. 

## 1. Music Maters 

## a. Music Delivery and Choir Operaton 

The choir has been admirably served by its’ dedicated team of Lynn Hudson as Music Director, Ned Smith as Deputy Conductor and Accompanist and Craig Cockerill as Accompanist. R also continued working with the choir as an additional conductor and arranger throughout the first 2 terms of the year. 

Whilst Lynn Hudson has been on extended sick leave the choir has been extremely fortunate to have the permanent team supplemented by the vocal and chorial specialist Thom Meridith. Lynn has continued to play the major part in selecting choir repertoire and the selection of new pieces. The choir has responded extremely well to being led by Ned and Craig with additional support from Thom. 

For 2025 the Music leadership of the choir is secure. It will be led by Ned and Craig with Lynn continuing to advise and support. Currently Lynn is planning to return to conducting part time in late Spring 2025. There are further contingencies in place with support from other pianists if required. 



## b. Charitable Status 

This was finally achieved in February 2024. We were extremely fortunate to secure the services of Thom Meredith, Chris Pulleyn and Graham Smith as our ‘external trustees’ all of whom have specialist knowledge either in the music or organisational spheres. Helen Davies is the fourth trustee who is also chair of the Committee and Lynn Hudson is in attendance at meetings. 

## c. Financial 

At the date we became a charity CCC brought forward £2,823.70. from 2023. Income for the year was £7,626.81,  our expenditure was £10,035.38 (both figures includes ‘bucket’ donations for charities – see below) . The choir ended the year with a positive cash balance of £485.19. 

The Committee continue to have an aim of ensuring that the choir is accessible to all and therefore have been committed to maintaining the cost of attendance at £40 per term . We have also been able to support 3 members with free places.   The number of rehearsals has averaged 12 per term. This is an increase from the 10 per term maximum which we inherited from when CCC was part of Calderdale Music Trust. 

The main income stream is from membership supplemented by a small amount of profit from social events and refreshments, approximately £390 over the year, and the summer dinner which made a profit of £205.42. 

The major expenses are for rent of the Carlton Centre which has risen this year, payments for the music team and purchase of new music. General administration costs remain extremely low (insurance, membership of NAC and website costs are the main expenses). 

The carry forward figure has declined substantially, however taken from 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2024 the reduction is much less, 



carry forward at 31[st] December 2023 was £1,258.07. The committee do not see this as a cause for concern as the majority of music for 2025 has already been purchased and we are expecting a Gift Aid refund of approximately £700. This will provide a buffer to purchase more music as and when required. 

## d. Membership 

Membership of the choir remains stable at 66 members. From the beginning of January we have had 8 new members sign up and an additional 10 who came for taster sessions. Potentially 5 new people are attending taster sessions in January 2025. We are delighted that we have had 2 new members in 2024 who are students. 

Our flexible membership model is a definite advantage as it enables members to take a break for long holidays, work reasons or illness whilst remaining in touch with the choir.  Over the course of the year 4 people have taken a break and we expect them to return next year. 

## e. Social life of the choir 

The regular (once per half term) social rehearsals where doors open an hour before rehearsals for light refreshments and general ‘getting to know you time’, have become firm favourites in the life of the choir. They have enhanced its’ cohesiveness, reduced social isolation and increased inclusion. Several new members have commented on how helpful they find these sessions. These will continue in 2025. 

This year at the end of the summer term we held our first ‘Choir Meal’ where members could pay a small fee of £10 for a 2 course meal and entertainment. This was a great success and seemed to be enjoyed by all who attended. Priced very modestly it again opened access to all choir members. 



The choir have a What’s App group which is run by and moderated by singers in the choir. This group again appear to be helpful in ensuring people feel involved. 

## f. Operatonal Maters 

The Committee maintain the day to day running of the Charity. Thanks go to all of them in their roles which frees up the music leadership team to work effectively with the choir. 

The Committee maintain a general oversight of the activities and running of the choir to ensure that Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Financial and Charity Law (as it applies to the choir) are met. We can confirm that at the end of 2024 we have sufficient people who are competent in Health and Safety and sufficient who are trained and DBS registered to oversee Safeguarding matters. Financial and Charity Law matters are regularly reviewed and compared with CCC processes and policies to ensure compliance. 

## g. Progress to Charity Objectves 

- (1) To advance, improve, develop and maintain public educaton in, and appreciaton of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see ft, including through the presentaton of public events. 

‘To advance, Improve, develop and maintain public educaton in, and appreciaton of, the art and science of music ……’ 

- i) This year has seen the choir take on a more demanding repertoire, some of which has been taken to performance standards. These include works by the contemporary composer Elaine Hagenburg such as ‘You Do Not Walk Alone’ and a setting of Blake’s ‘Tyger. The latter has multiple challenging time signatures coupled with challenging articulation, leading to a contemplative central section before the reprise of the energy and material from the opening which builds to a tumultuous conclusion. These pieces were both were 



   - both performed in concerts this year introducing audiences to new styles of music featuring the work of a significant female choral composer. 

- ii) 2 summer workshops also helped to stretch the ability of the choir. The first focussed on Madrigals and Elizabethan part songs. It was led by R and encouraged the choir to listen and respond to other parts of the choir in a way new to most. The second workshop led by Thom Meridith was ‘Africa’ by Toto. Despite being well known this is a very complicated arrangement which requires great vocal agility and subtle handling of syncopation. Currently this is still a work in progress. 

- iii) The addition of Thom Meredith to the Music Team has meant that the choir has not only be coached by Choral Specialists but also a Vocal Specialist. The results of this combined work over the year has been a significant improvement in diction and dynamics. These will remain our focus for 2025. 

- iv) We have also been delighted to support 2 young musicians over the course of the year. We have provided concert opportunities for DS a talented young local singer, to regularly showcase his talent. Since September 2023 until July 2024 we have provided RH with the opportunity to refine his conducting skills by leading on ‘Tyger’, ‘She’s like a Swallow’ and ‘Feels like Home’. R also benefitted from working with Lynn on the choral arrangements of ‘She’s Like a Swallow’, which has a dedication to the choir, and ‘Feels Like Home’. He also performed in several concerts during the course of the year introducing the choir and audiences to his love of contemporary music for Violin. In September R returned to the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin to continue his studies. 

## **(2) To further such charitable purpose or purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion such** 



## **think fit but in particular through the making of grants and donations.'** 

## **‘presentation of public events and making of grants and donations ……’** 

These are taken together as the public events make the donations possible and are always linked directly to the charity we are raising funds for. 

- i) In March CCC presented a concert in support of the Stroke Association. The highlight of this was a talk by one of the choir members who, prior to his stroke, was a professional bassoonist.  As part of the concert he led a ‘scratch band’ of choir members who played ‘Born Free’ which he had arranged for multiple instruments. It raised awareness of the importance music can play in recovery from stroke and raised £740 for the Stroke Association. 

- ii) In April we presented a concert to support Halifax Young Singers. This is a choir that many of CCC have had connections with previously. CCC wanted to support the choir as a valuable way of connecting young people with the joy of singing. HYS performed as our guests and joined with us in a number of combined items. This concert raised a total of £562 in a bucket collection and a raffle. It should be noted here that concerts arranged by CCC are free of charge as we believe it encourages audience members to give generously to the charity being supported. 

- iii) In June we were asked to perform at St Paul’s Church Halifax to support their restoration fund. They handled all aspects of the event including the collection of donations. This raised £570 for their appeal 

- iv) In early December we were asked By RB, one of our younger members, to support the Ripponden Christmas Fayre and we were delighted to be able to field a choir of about 20 singers playing and singing at The Bridge in Ripponden 

- v) Also in December we held our annual Christmas Concert. We were able to showcase a couple of new 



pieces including the challenging’ Nowell for the Merry Citie’ by Alan Simmons. Our guests for this concert were Hearts Apart a local Ukrainian Choir whose members are refugees from Ukraine. It was a delight to see the joy they had in their music; a joy shared by audience and choir alike. A highlight was their a capella rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah where,  completely spontaneously, the audience and choir joined in softly in the chorus. This raised a superb £1045 to support the education of young people directly affected by the war in Ukraine. This comprised the ’bucket’ collection of £955 plus the £90 profit made on refreshments. 

In total from 14[th] February until the end of the year CCC has raised £2917 for donation to other charitable causes 

The Committee and Choir are looking forward to 2025 and making even more music together. 




**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
CCC (Halifax) Statement of Accounts 14th February to 31st<br>December 2024 Credit Debit Balance<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


||**December 2024**|**Credit**|**Debit**|**Balance**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Brought Forward|£2,823.70||£2,823.70|
|15/02/2024|Carlton Centre Rent (Jan)||£333.00|£2,490.70|
|21/02/2024|Membership Subscriptions (3)|£100.00||£2,590.70|
|26/02/2024|Goodwin Publications Ltd||£228.35|£2,362.35|
|28/02/2024|Membership Subscriptions (1)|£20.00||£2,382.35|
|09/03/2024|Concert Collection (Stroke Assoc.)|£740.00||£3,122.35|
|09/03/2024|Concert Collection (Refreshments)|£188.10||£3,310.45|
|18/03/2024|Carlton Centre Rent (Feb)||£216.00|£3,094.45|
|18/03/2024|Prepaid Financial Services (Stroke Assoc.)||£740.00|£2,354.45|
|20/03/2024|Refreshments (Donations)|£24.00||£2,378.45|
|28/03/2024|C.Cockerill (Spring Term)||£750.00|£1,628.45|
|28/03/2024|E.Smith (Spring Term)||£285.00|£1,343.45|
|09/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (2)|£80.00||£1,423.45|
|10/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (5)|£200.00||£1,623.45|
|11/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (1)|£40.00||£1,663.45|
|12/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (1)|£40.00||£1,703.45|
|14/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (5)|£200.00||£1,903.45|
|15/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (2)|£80.00||£1,983.45|
|16/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (3)|£120.00||£2,103.45|
|17/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (13)|£520.00||£2,623.45|
|18/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (3)|£120.00||£2,743.45|
|22/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (2)|£80.00||£2,823.45|
|23/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (2)|£80.00||£2,903.45|
|24/04/2024|Membership Subscriptions (5)|£200.00||£3,103.45|
|27/04/2024|Concert Collection (Halifax Young Singers)|£185.00||£3,288.45|
|27/04/2024|Concert Collection (Refreshments)|£32.95||£3,321.40|
|29/04/2024|Halifax Young Singers Ltd||£185.00|£3,136.40|
|29/04/2024|Goodwin Publications Ltd||£233.95|£2,902.45|
|29/04/2024|Carlton Centre Rent (Mar)||£311.50|£2,590.95|
|01/05/2024|Membership Subscriptions (2)|£80.00||£2,670.95|
|08/05/2024|Membership Subscriptions (3)|£120.00||£2,790.95|
|15/05/2024|Membership Subscriptions (3)|£120.00||£2,910.95|
|21/05/2024|Carlton Centre Rent(Apr)||£316.00|£2,594.95|
|22/05/2024|Membership Subscriptions (2)|£80.00||£2,674.95|
|22/05/2024|Refreshments (Donations)|£16.50||£2,691.45|
|23/05/2024|Membership Subscriptions (1)|£40.00||£2,731.45|
|06/06/2024|Membership Subscriptions (2)|£80.00||£2,811.45|
|12/06/2024|Goodwin Publications Ltd||£120.00|£2,691.45|
|12/06/2024|Membership Subscriptions (1)|£20.00||£2,711.45|
|28/06/2024|Goodwin Publications Ltd||£62.50|£2,648.95|
|28/06/2024|Carlton Centre Rent (May)||£283.50|£2,365.45|
|10/07/2024|Dinner (48)|£480.00||£2,845.45|
|10/07/2024|Refreshments (Donations)|£39.50||£2,884.95|
|12/07/2024|C.Cockerill (Summer Term)||£1,125.00|£1,759.95|
|17/07/2024|R.Harron||£100.00|£1,659.95|
|17/07/2024|Carlton Centre Rent (Jun/ Jul)||£508.50|£1,151.45|
|17/07/2024|H.Davies (Dinner Expenses)||£230.00|£921.45|
|17/07/2024|D.Horsfall (Dinner Expenses)||£10.00|£911.45|
|17/07/2024|Flower Donations (Dinner)|£11.00||£922.45|
|17/07/2024|Dinner (6)|£60.00||£982.45|
|22/07/2024|D.Stirling (Dinner Entertainment)||£50.00|£932.45|
|22/07/2024|S.Maddocks (Dinner Expenses)||£95.08|£837.37|
|05/08/2024|E.Smith (Summer Term)||£315.00|£522.37|
|02/09/2024|Membership Subscriptions (3)|£120.00||£642.37|
|09/09/2024|Membership Subscriptions (4)|£170.00||£812.37|
|10/09/2024|Membership Subscriptions (3)|£120.00||£932.37|
|11/09/2024|Membership Subscriptions (16)|£640.00||£1,572.37|
|12/09/2024|Membership Subscriptions (2)|£80.00||£1,652.37|





|16/09/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (1)<br>18/09/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (9)<br>25/09/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (6)<br>02/10/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (4)<br>09/10/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (4)<br>16/10/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (1)<br>21/10/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (1)<br>23/10/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (2)<br>23/10/2024<br>Refreshments (Donations)<br>02/11/2024<br>Carlton Centere Rent (Sep/ Oct)<br>04/11/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (1)<br>13/11/2024<br>Membership Subscriptions (1)<br>11/12/2024<br>Concert Collection (Ukraine<br>11/12/2024<br>Concert (Refreshments/ Bar Profits)<br>11/12/2024<br>S.Maddocks (Concert Expenses)<br>18/11/2024<br>Donation (Ukraine)<br>18/11/2024<br>C.Cockerill (Autumn Term)<br>18/11/2024<br>Carlton Centre Rent (Nov/ Dec)<br>19/12/2024<br>NAC Subscription<br>23/12/2024<br>E.Smith (Autumn Term)<br>23/12/2024<br>Goodwin Publications Ltd<br>**Lloyds Bank**<br>**Cash**<br>**Carried Forward**|£40.00<br>£1,692.37<br>£360.00<br>£2,052.37<br>£240.00<br>£2,292.37<br>£160.00<br>£2,452.37<br>£160.00<br>£2,612.37<br>£40.00<br>£2,652.37<br>£40.00<br>£2,692.37<br>£80.00<br>£2,772.37<br>£39.76<br>£2,812.13<br>£589.50<br>£2,222.63<br>£40.00<br>£2,262.63<br>£40.00<br>£2,302.63<br>£955.00<br>£3,257.63<br>£105.00<br>£3,362.63<br>£15.00<br>£3,347.63<br>£1,045.00<br>£2,302.63<br>£900.00<br>£1,402.63<br>£410.00<br>£992.63<br>£53.00<br>£939.63<br>£370.00<br>£569.63<br>£154.50<br>£415.13<br>**£10,450.51**<br>**10035.38**<br>**£415.13**<br>**£454.05**<br>**£31.14**<br>**£485.19**|
|---|---|