INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
Report to the trustees of Muswell Hlll Chorus Charfty no. 1208580.
I rewl to the trustees on my examination of the acC(lnts of the above Charity for
the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 12.
Re5ctIVe rnsponslbllltles of trustees and examlner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the requirernents of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act,). I report in
respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of
the 2011 Aci and in (xryirvJ out my examination. I have followed the applicable
Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Indgpendent oxamlnor's ststemenl
I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to
my attention which in connection wilh the examination which gives me cause to
beh'eve that in. any material respect..
Ihe accounting rec(xds were not kept in accordarKe with section 130 of the
Charilies Act,. or
the accounts do not accffd with the accounting records.
the accounts did nol comply wilh the applicable qUIrements conceming the
fonn and content of ac(x)unts set out in the Chafities
MUSWELL HILL CHORUS CHARITY NO. 1208580 ANNUAL REPORT AND INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx
Foreword Muswell Hill Chorus is an unaudib'oned community choir. We welcome singers of all abilities who Sha a passion for singing ambitious cPM)ral pieces as part of a friendly and supportive community. The year 2024125 was our first year as a registered charitable incworated organisation (CIO). The chafity was established by a working group of choir members who researched and organised all aspects of our activities,. from identifying venues for rehearsals and performances, securing the seniices of Marvin Perrott. our Music Director. and John Eady, our répéb"teur. opening a new bank account and setting up financial arrangements, and developing our constitution. policies and procedures. We are particularfy indebted to choir member Stephen Dunmore who worked on our constitution in collaboration with trustees and supported Ihe process of registering Muswell Hill Chorus with the Charity Comrnission. Our fledgling charity would not have got off the ground without the support, energy and enthusiasm of our members. who contributed financially (raising much-needed funds through donations and social events), as well as organising extra rehearsals for their sections. publicising our concerts through leaflets, social media and word of mouth, recruiting volunteers to run front of house and the bar at our concerts and. last but by no means least. organising the all-important weekly cake rota. We would also like to thank Cyndi Veasey and the Bishop and Board al the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Muswell Hill for allowing us lo use their space free-of- charge for our summer workshops and concert rehearsals. Their generosity helped get the charity onto a stable financial f<)ots'ng. ensuring a viable future for our choir. We are proud of all we have achieved in our firsl year and are excited for a successful year ahead as we continue to inspire our members and audiences Ihrough a shared love of choral music. Catrin Dillon Anne Hutchings Chair of Trustees Secretary to the Trustees Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx
Reference and Adrninlstrative Detsils Charlty Name: Muswell Hill Chorus Charfty Reglstralion No: 1208580 Reglstered Address: 6 Pages Hill London N10 1QA Legal Status: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Dale of reglstration: 7 June 2024 Tru$tees: Catrin Dillon - Chair Anne Hutchings - Secretary Helen Downie ACA- Treasurer Annie CcM)mbes Dominic Green Donna Feldman Gavin Lumsden Jack Pri Catherine Mkhi2e Rick Morrison Stuart Little Bankers: The Cfroperative Bank PO Box 250 Skelmer5dal8 WN8 6wr Key management personnel: The charity does not have employees. All trustees give their tirne voluntarily. Independent Examlnor: Frances Bales Date of Report: This report covers the period 7 June 2024. the charity's date of establishment, through to 31 August 2025 and provides an oveNiew of the activits'es. achievements and financial performance of Muswell Hill Chofus in its inaugural year as a charitable organisation. Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx
Objectlves and Actlvltles Muswell Hill Chorus (MHC) is a Charitable Inc(wated (ganiSatiOn (CIO). Our purpose is to advance. improve, develop and maintain public educats'on in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music, in particular choral singing by the provision of a community choir, workshops. presentation of concerts and other related activities. Our Mlsslon Muswell Hill Chorus promotes the joy of choral music with and for our local community, inspiring a love of dassical singing in an indusive. safe and non- judgemental environment. Our unauditioned choir aims to create a forum for leaming that is accessible to people of all abilities in a welcoming context, encouraging ambitious and demanding music making while mindful of the fact that choristers lead busy lives. Our singers have a broad range of musiG91 aplitude. from highly experienced to novices with no previous musical experience. Regular workshops introduce and develop choristers. skills in reading music. singing technique and sight-singing music. Our repertoire is wide, encompassing Baroque. Romantic. modern and specially commissioned contemporary music. We aim to expose our audience to the same principles that underpin our choir, increasing wellbeing and mindfulness in our local community. What We Do Muswell Hill Chorus offers singers of all abilities the chance to sing ambitious choral pieces in a fn'endly and supportive atmosphere. The choir rehearses each Saturday with a break for coffee. cake and socialising. Each section has a vibrant and fn'endly WhaisApp group and organises extra rehearsals in sections, outings, meetings arm furKlraising activities. Our annual performance-led programme indudes iwo full-scale concerts with musicians arKJ sol¢ists. together with a series of summer workshops focusing on particular themes, techniques and styles. We believe passionately that everyone should have access lo the enjoyment of singing classical music. We want to ensure Ihal our choir reflects the diverse community in which we live; our tiered subscription fee structure means that no one feels unable to join due to their financial circumstsnces. We also ensure that our rehearsals and concerts are fully accessible and that. wherever possible, additional support is provided for those who need it. Objectlves As a newly registered charity. 2024r25 marked a foundational year for MHC. Our core objectives were to- Muswell Hill ChorusAnnual Report 2024-25 Final.docx
Deliver two succ£ssful concerts and a series of summer workshops for our members. Recruit new choir members and put MHC on a sound financial footing. Put in pla the tM)liaes aThJ gjvemance arrangernents needed to ensu the sffloolh running of the charity.. and Consult with our members to ensure that their views are reflected in our activities and repertoire. Achlevements and Performance The choir spent the auturnn tem hearsing Vivaldi's Gloria, a number of popular English carols and some additional pieces in different European languages. Our Christmas concert took place at the Church of St Peter in Muswell Hill. We were extremely fortunate to welcome a group of musicians to accompany us for the Gloria. arranged by our Music DItor, Marvin Perrott. We also welcomed a young harpist, Angharad Dillon, to aCMpanY us for a Welsh carol. 1r cx)ncert easily sold out and whilst the venue was popular and the administrative staff were helpfvl and accommodaling. it was decided that the audience capacity was too small for fvture events. Nevertheless. we were delighted that our new choir had got off to such a strong siart. The spring term saw the choir rehearsing Faure's Requiem. together with two new compositions by one of our members. Stuart Vezey. Our spring ¢x)ncert t¢x)k Pla at St James, Church in Muswell Hill, a bigger venue with a larger audience capacity in the heart of our Muswell Hill community. We welcomed an audience of almost 300 people, making the concert a great success from both an event and financial perspective. We visited our workshop fomiula for the summer term of 2025 and were fortunate to be able lo use the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as we did for our first rehearsals and workshops as a new choir in the summer of 2024. With several choirs in the area cornpeting for rnernbers, we are delighted to report a stable membership of around 76 member5. 59 people atierxled one or more of our summer workshops. Rehearsals are not prescrtptive, and we pride lfselveS in our flexible approach to absence as we understand that not all our members can comrnit to attending every week. We average between 50 and 65 singer5 at each rehearsal and 64 singers committed to each concert. The generosity and commitment of our members. together with the many individuals who have given their support free-of<harge this year. means that we were able to lay the groundwork for the choir's loterni financial sustainability. This will provide Ihe opportunity to perform more complex works in the future, whilst ensuring that we remain affordable for current and futu members. MO information on our finances is shared in the Financial Review sects'on of this report. Musvrfell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.do¢x
During our first year, the Board of Trustees has met regularly, ensuring that the choir is run smc>othly and has the requisite policies in place. We are always looking for opportunities to improve the experience for our members and actively seek feedback. Over the summer. we corKlucted a survey to coincide with the end of the choir's first year. We asked questions atM)ut repertoire. level of challenge and difficulty as well as ideas for futu pertOIre. We were pleased to receive many positive responses and will work hard to incorporate the suggestions into our future repertoire and activities. Looklng Ahead Building on a sucSsful first year. in the coming year we aim to: Consolidate our membership and attract more members. in particular to our under-represented sections (tenors and basses). Deliver iwo successful concerts. Identify opportunities to involve up-and-coming musicians in our worf< (through commissioniro work andlor involving musicians and soloists in our performances). Flnanclal Revlew An immediale priority for our new choir was to raise seed funding to enable us to book venues, purchase scores and secure the services of our music director and repetiteur. We are grateful to those choir members who organised fundraising activits'es over the summer of 2024 which, together with our summer workshops, raised £4,496. Our total income for the 15 months lo 31 August 2025 was £32,497. Over two thirds of this income came from our members (rnernbership subscriptions, donations and workshop attendance) wilh ts remaining third being COnrt revenue. Total expenditure for the period was £21,858. Most of our expenditure relates to hiring venues and musicians for rehearsals and concerts. We are extremely fortunate to receive donated rehearsal space for our summer workshops at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Muswell Hill. whith helps to reduce our costs. Reserves Muswell Hill Chorus holds reserves to ensure that its activities can continue in the event of an unforeseen reduction in income or increase in expenditure. The trustees have agreed a minimum reserves level of £3.000. At the end of the reporting period. the charity held £10,639 in resetves. This provides a sound basis for future planning. whilst enabling us to respond flexibly to urgenl needs. Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx
Rlsk Management Major risks facing the charity are identified and recorded on a risk register. which is regularly reviewed arKI discussed by the trustees. Our key risks relate to health and safety and safeguarding. We are particularty aware of the mobility and other needs of our demographic and all our venues are chosen with accessibility in mind. Detsiled risk assessments are in place for all venues and activitie5, including safe handling of equipment. use of lifts where relevant. use of entrances and exits and ensunng that all of the above is documented and relayed to choir members at rehearsals and via newsletters, and to audiences at our concerts. Whilst such risks cannot be eliminated completely. the trustees are sats'sfied with the range of measures and controls put in place to identify and miligale the charity's major risks. Statement of Trustees, Responslbllltl•s The trustees are responsible lor preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of Ihe charity's financial acts'vities during the year and of its financial position al the end of the year. In preparing these statements. the trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. Stale whether applicable accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements Prepare the financial statements on a going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the cnnstitution of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. This report was approved by the trustees on 22 November 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Catrin Dillon Chair of Trustees Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx
MUSWELL HILL CHORUS ANALYSIS OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Fun RECEPTS 21.79) 10,707 31497 Charitable acb'mties Total r•c•4)ts PAThENTS Chari12tl8 Acliifjtes Total Payrnnts 21,858 10,639 R•concSllatlon of Fund8 Cash Funds tKwJht foThArd Cuh Funds G¥rl•d fonvard a131 W 2025 10,639 All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. All income, expenditure and lunds are unrestricted. As this is the Charity's first year of operation, there are no prior year comparatives. There were no other recognised gains and losses other than those stated above. Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx
MUSWELL HILL CHORUS STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025 Unr•strict•d Funds CASH FUNDS Cash at Bank Cash in Hand 10.521 118 10.639 crlI0r5. accru habilti8S Total Llabllltl•• NET FUNDS 10,639 FUNDS Rese FurKI FuThl 7.639 10,639 Tdal Chwy For the financial period in question. the Charity was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the audit of the financial stalements. No members have required the o)mpany lo obtain an audit of its accounts for Ihe period in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees, are 81so director5 for the purpose of company law, acknowledge their responsibility for complying bwth the reqU1ments of the Act with respect to keeping proper accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 22 November 2025. Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees: Catrin Dillon, Chair of Trustees Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx
MUSWELL HILL CHORUS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 1. Accounting poll¢5es a) G•n•ral Inforniatlon and ba818 of preparatlon Muswell Hill Chorus is a Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England and Wales. The registered Offi address is 6 Pages Hill. Lond1. N10 1 QA. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102. These fin8n¢ial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting 8nd Reporting by Charities.. Slatement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financi81 Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). issued in October 2019. The financial statements also comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Ac(x)unting Practice {UK GAAP}. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial siatements are set out below. b) Funds All income, expenditure and furKls hekl by the Charity are unrestricted funds. UnStricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. c) Income and •xpendltur• rncognltlon These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. There are no outstanding guarantees or liabilities at the date of the statement of assets arKI liabilities. d) Support costs allocatlon Support costs are those that assist the work of the charty but do not diredy represent chantable activities and indude office costs and govemance costs. As all costs are deemed to directly relate to charitable activities, support costs have not been disdosed separately. e) Tax The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of Mu$wl1 Hill ChonAS Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx 10
the Finance Act 2010. It therefore meets the definition of a charitsble company for UK corporation tax purposes. The charity is not registered for VAT but is registered to claim gift aid on eligible donations. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred. fj Golng concern The financial statements have been prepared on a going concem basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertaints'es exist to indicate that the Charity is unable to operate as a going conrn for a period of at least 12 months from the date of the slatement of assets and liabilits'es. In reaching this conclusion, the trustees have considered the Charity's cash position and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 rnonlhs from the dale of approval of these financial statements. Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx 11
MUSWELL HILL CHORUS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ICONfD) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 2. DONATN)NS 1,123 13,) 7.417 21.7 l£rtwthip sutscri.ons 3. RECEPTS FROM CHARITABLE KTMTIES Unr••trktod 9.fY23 10,707 4. EXPENDrtURE OM CHARITLE XTMTES Unr••trkt•d Artistic SeThices PLM)m Fth're lor rehearsth Concort casts 10,985 3.41 101 49 21.858 Trtstic charg88 5. Staff costs and related party transactlons Muswell Hill Chorus has no employees. Tr key management personnel of the charity are the tnjstees. No trustees received any remuneration in the period but expenses of £3,128 were reimbursed, relating to items purchased on behalf of the choir. The trustees are not aware of further relaled party transactions during the period. Muswell Hill Chorus Annual Report 2024-25 Final.docx 12