Chair's Statement
The past year has been one of both renewal and foundation-building.
Cambridge Schola Foundation was established to support and sustain the work of Cambridge Schola Cantorum, a new university-wide choir founded in 2024. While the Foundation itself is newly created, the values and traditions it seeks to uphold have much deeper roots. Cambridge has long been recognised internationally for the quality of its choral music, and Cambridge Schola was formed to ensure that this tradition continues to evolve in ways that are artistically ambitious, inclusive, and relevant to contemporary society.
The Foundation exists because we believe that artistic excellence should not be an end in itself. Rather, it should be a catalyst for education, community engagement, personal development and social impact. Through the Foundation, Cambridge Schola seeks not only to perform at the highest level, but also to inspire children and young people, support the development of future musical leaders, and strengthen the communities in which it works.
The year under review has been one of significant progress. Cambridge Schola has established a regular programme of liturgical services, concerts and performances, while continuing to develop its distinctive artistic identity. At the same time, plans have advanced for an ambitious programme of education and community engagement, reflecting our belief that the benefits of participation in high-quality music-making should be available to all.
One of the most encouraging aspects of the year has been the enthusiasm with which supporters, volunteers, singers and partners have embraced this vision. The Foundation has benefited from the generosity of early donors and the commitment of trustees and volunteers who have given their time, expertise and encouragement as the organisation has developed.
As a charitable foundation, our role is to provide the governance, financial stewardship and longterm support necessary to enable Cambridge Schola to flourish. We have therefore focused considerable attention during the year on establishing robust governance, strengthening our financial position, and laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.
This report describes the activities and finances of Cambridge Schola Foundation during the year. Because the Foundation exists to support the work of Cambridge Schola Cantorum, we have also included information about the choir's activities and financial position. We hope this provides supporters, prospective donors and stakeholders with a clear understanding of the relationship between the Foundation and the choir, and of the impact that charitable support is helping to achieve.
Looking ahead, we are excited by the opportunities before us. Our ambition is not simply to build an excellent choir, but to create a lasting institution that combines artistic excellence with meaningful public benefit. Through education, community engagement, talent development and performance, we believe Cambridge Schola can make a distinctive contribution to cultural life in Cambridge and beyond.
On behalf of my fellow trustees, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Foundation's (and Cambridge Schola’s) work during this formative year. We look forward to building on this progress in the years ahead.
Nick Bland Chair of Trustees
WHY CAMBRIDGE SCHOLA FOUNDATION EXISTS
Cambridge Schola Foundation was established in February 2025 to support the work and longterm development of Cambridge Schola Cantorum.
Cambridge Schola Cantorum is a university-wide mixed choir that brings together singers from across the University of Cambridge. Founded in 2024, the choir seeks to achieve the highest standards of artistic excellence whilst extending the benefits of choral music through education, leadership development and community engagement.
The Foundation exists because we believe that artistic excellence should not be an end in itself. Rather, it should be a catalyst for wider public benefit.
Through the Foundation, Cambridge Schola seeks not only to perform outstanding music, but also to inspire children and young people, support the development of future musical leaders, strengthen communities, and widen access to high-quality musical experiences.
The relationship between the Foundation and the choir is therefore central to understanding our work. Cambridge Schola Foundation provides the governance, fundraising and charitable infrastructure that enables Cambridge Schola Cantorum to flourish. In turn, the choir delivers the artistic, educational and community activities through which the Foundation achieves its charitable objectives.
This approach reflects a simple belief: that choral excellence can be a powerful force for individual growth, educational opportunity and community connection.
As a newly established organisation, our ambition is not simply to build an excellent choir. We aim to create a lasting institution that develops future singers, conductors, educators and arts leaders whilst enriching the cultural life of Cambridge and beyond.
The Foundation's work is guided by three interconnected priorities:
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Artistic Excellence – supporting Cambridge Schola Cantorum in becoming one of the world's leading university chamber choirs.
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Future Choir-Makers – developing the next generation of singers, conductors, educators and cultural entrepreneurs through participation, leadership and learning.
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Communities and Education – ensuring that the benefits of artistic excellence are shared through schools, partnerships and community engagement.
Together, these priorities form the basis of our charitable mission and inform every aspect of the Foundation's work.
This report describes the Foundation's first period of activity. It also includes information about the work of Cambridge Schola Cantorum, reflecting the close relationship between the Foundation and the choir and providing supporters, stakeholders and prospective donors with a fuller understanding of the impact that charitable support makes possible.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Purpose
Cambridge Schola Foundation exists to advance education and promote the arts, particularly through the support and development of choral music, music education, talent development, and community engagement.
The Foundation was established to support the work of Cambridge Schola Cantorum, a university-wide mixed choir founded in 2024. Through its support of the choir, the Foundation seeks to ensure that the highest standards of choral excellence are not only sustained but shared widely through education, participation, leadership development, and community engagement. Both the Foundation and the choir have social purpose at their heart.
Activities
During the year, the Foundation's principal activity was to support the establishment and development of Cambridge Schola Cantorum as an independent artistic organisation.
Cambridge Schola Cantorum was formed following the closure of St John's Voices and brings together singers from across the University of Cambridge, including undergraduates, postgraduates, staff, and recent graduates. Through a programme of regular services, concerts, recordings, educational initiatives, and community engagement activities, the choir seeks to combine artistic excellence with meaningful public benefit.
It is important to note that the Cambridge Schola Cantorum is independent of the University of Cambridge. Although its singers are drawn from its students, it receives no funding from the university, or indeed any of its colleges.
Across the year, generous support from a range of donors and funders enabled the choir to:
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Deliver a regular programme of public Vespers and Compline services across Cambridge.
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Present concerts and performances that brought high-quality choral music to a wide range of audiences.
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Provide opportunities for singers to develop their musical, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills through participation in an ambitious artistic programme.
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Develop partnerships with schools and educational organisations to increase access to high-quality music-making for children and young people.
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Explore new models of community engagement that extend the benefits of choral excellence beyond traditional concert settings.
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Establish the governance, fundraising, and operational systems necessary to support future growth.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The period from February to September 2025 marked the first reporting period of Cambridge Schola Foundation. Whilst relatively short, it was a period of considerable progress, during which the Foundation established itself as the charitable vehicle supporting Cambridge Schola Cantorum and laid the foundations for future artistic, educational and community impact.
The Foundation was created to support the long-term development of Cambridge Schola Cantorum, a university-wide mixed choir founded in 2024. Drawing singers from across the University of Cambridge, the choir seeks to combine the highest standards of artistic excellence with a commitment to education, leadership development and community engagement.
During the period, the Trustees focused on four principal areas of activity: establishing the Foundation, supporting artistic excellence, investing in future choir-makers, and developing programmes that extend the benefits of choral excellence into schools and communities.
Establishing Cambridge Schola Foundation
The registration of Cambridge Schola Foundation as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation represented an important milestone in the development of Cambridge Schola Cantorum itself. During the period, Trustees focused on establishing the governance, financial and operational structures necessary to support a sustainable and resilient organisation.
Key priorities included the appointment of Trustees, the development of governance policies and procedures, the establishment of financial controls, and the implementation of fundraising systems capable of supporting future growth. The Foundation also adopted a Gift Acceptance Policy and began developing the relationships, processes and systems required to support philanthropic giving.
Whilst much of this work took place behind the scenes, Trustees recognise its importance in creating a robust platform from which Cambridge Schola can pursue its artistic and charitable ambitions over the long term.
Supporting Artistic Excellence
Artistic excellence remains at the heart of Cambridge Schola's mission. During the reporting period, the choir continued to build its reputation through a programme of services, performances and artistic activity that reflected both the richness of Cambridge's choral tradition and the organisation's commitment to innovation.
The choir delivered regular Vespers and Compline services in chapels and churches across Cambridge, creating opportunities for audiences to experience high-quality choral music in reflective and accessible settings. Alongside these services, Cambridge Schola continued to develop its concert programme, bringing together singers from across the University community to perform ambitious repertoire to a high artistic standard.
The choir's artistic activity also provided opportunities to champion new music and emerging creative talent. Through collaborations with composers, conductors and musicians, Cambridge Schola sought to establish itself not only as a performer of existing repertoire but also as a contributor to the future development of choral music.
Trustees believe that artistic excellence is fundamental to the Foundation's charitable mission. It is the quality of the artistic experience that enables the organisation to inspire audiences, attract talented singers, and create meaningful social impact.
Investing in Future Choir-Makers
A distinctive aspect of Cambridge Schola's work is its commitment to developing the next generation of choir-makers: individuals who will not only perform at a high level but who will become future conductors, educators, composers, arts leaders and cultural entrepreneurs.
Through participation in the choir's artistic programme, singers gain experience of demanding repertoire, professional standards of performance, leadership opportunities and collaborative working. The choir provides an environment in which musical excellence is combined with personal development, encouraging members to develop confidence, initiative and a broader understanding of the role that music can play within society.
The Trustees believe that this investment in people represents one of the most significant longterm impacts of Cambridge Schola's work. The singers of today will become the musical leaders, educators and advocates who shape the future of choral music in the years ahead.
Schools and Community Engagement
The Foundation is committed to ensuring that the benefits of artistic excellence are shared beyond the choir itself. During the reporting period, significant groundwork was undertaken to develop future programmes of education and community engagement.
Building upon Cambridge Schola's commitment to supporting children and young people, discussions were initiated with schools and education partners to explore how the choir's
expertise might contribute to music education and wider educational outcomes. Particular attention was given to developing partnerships that would allow high-quality singing experiences to be embedded within schools while also providing meaningful development opportunities for Cambridge Schola's student singers.
Alongside this work, the choir continued to explore ways of bringing choral music into a wider range of community settings and public spaces, reflecting its belief that artistic excellence should be accessible to all.
Whilst many of these initiatives remain at an early stage of development, Trustees are encouraged by the strength of interest from schools, community organisations and potential partners. The Foundation believes that these relationships have the potential to create significant educational and social impact in future years.
Selected Highlights of the Year
Some highlights from Cambridge Schola Cantorum's first year included:
Artistic Excellence
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Performed Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil (Vespers) alongside the BBC Singers at Ely Cathedral, giving Cambridge Schola singers the rare opportunity to perform and learn alongside one of the world's leading professional vocal ensembles.
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Presented a candlelit performance of Tallis' Lamentations in near-darkness to a capacity audience in Trinity College Chapel, creating one of the choir's most memorable artistic experiences of the year.
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Performed Handel's Messiah with professional orchestra and soloists, providing significant performance opportunities for a large proportion of the choir.
Broadcasting and New Music
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Made its BBC Radio 3 debut through a professional recording and national broadcast, significantly extending the choir's reach.
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Worked with MPhil composition students to workshop and professionally record new compositions, supporting the next generation of composers and enriching Cambridge's creative community.
Education and Community
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Launched the pilot year of Sing with Schola, generously supported by Deloitte LLP, establishing a new model of partnership between Cambridge Schola and local primary schools.
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Celebrated the culmination of the first school term with pupils from Great St Mary's Primary School performing alongside Cambridge Schola for distinguished members of the University community, demonstrating the transformative potential of sustained musical partnerships.
Growing Reach
- Surpassed 10,000 followers across social media, reflecting growing international engagement with Cambridge Schola's distinctive blend of artistic excellence, education and community impact.
Looking Ahead
As a newly established charity, Cambridge Schola Foundation remains in the early stages of its development. Nevertheless, the progress achieved during this first reporting period provides confidence that the organisation is well positioned to deliver on its ambitions.
The Trustees remain committed to supporting Cambridge Schola Cantorum in becoming one of the world's leading university chamber choirs whilst ensuring that the benefits of that artistic excellence are shared through education, talent development and community engagement.
The Foundation enters its next period of operation with a clear sense of purpose, growing support from donors and partners, and a strong belief in the power of choral excellence to enrich lives and strengthen communities.
Public Benefit
The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when determining the Foundation's objectives and activities. The Trustees believe that the Foundation delivers public benefit by supporting activities that advance musical education, develop artistic talent, improve access to high-quality cultural experiences, and strengthen community participation in the arts.
Through its support of Cambridge Schola Cantorum, the Foundation seeks to create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to experience, participate in, and benefit from outstanding choral music. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting children and young people, developing future musical leaders, and increasing access to high-quality music education through partnerships with schools and community organisations.
The Trustees are satisfied that the activities undertaken during the year furthered the Foundation's charitable purposes and provided clear public benefit.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Cambridge Schola Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales in February 2025.
The Foundation was established to support and advance the charitable, educational and community activities of Cambridge Schola Cantorum. Whilst legally distinct, the Foundation and the choir work closely together to deliver a shared vision: achieving the highest standards of choral excellence while extending the benefits of that excellence through education, talent development and community engagement.
Governance
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for the strategic direction, financial oversight and good governance of the charity. Trustees meet regularly to review performance, monitor risk, oversee financial management and support the long-term development of the organisation.
As a newly established charity, a significant focus during the reporting period was the development of appropriate governance arrangements, policies and procedures to ensure that the Foundation is well placed to support future growth.
Relationship with Cambridge Schola Cantorum
Cambridge Schola Foundation exists to support the work of Cambridge Schola Cantorum. The Foundation provides the charitable and fundraising infrastructure through which the choir's artistic, educational and community activities can develop and flourish. In turn, Cambridge Schola Cantorum delivers the artistic and public benefit activities that advance the Foundation's charitable purposes.
This relationship enables the organisation to combine artistic ambition with strong governance and financial oversight.
Leadership
The artistic leadership of Cambridge Schola Cantorum is provided by Graham Walker, Director of Music at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, supported by Assistant Director Alex Trigg. Together they are responsible for the artistic direction of the choir, including programming, performance standards, singer development, educational initiatives and community engagement activities.
Volunteers and Supporters
The Trustees recognise the significant contribution made by volunteers, supporters and donors during the Foundation's first reporting period.
The successful establishment of the Foundation and the continued development of Cambridge Schola Cantorum have been made possible through the generosity of those who have contributed their time, expertise, advocacy and financial support.
The Trustees are extremely grateful for this support and look forward to building these relationships in the years ahead.
LOOKING AHEAD
Whilst the period under review focused on establishing Cambridge Schola Foundation and supporting the early development of Cambridge Schola Cantorum, the Trustees believe that the organisation's greatest opportunities lie ahead.
The Foundation was created with a long-term vision: to support a world-leading university chamber choir that uses artistic excellence to inspire communities, develop future leaders, and widen access to high-quality musical experiences. Over the coming years, Trustees will focus on building the partnerships, resources and organisational resilience required to realise this ambition.
A key priority will be the continued development of Cambridge Schola Cantorum's artistic programme. The Foundation will support the choir as it seeks to increase the scale and reach of its performances, recordings and collaborations, further strengthening its reputation as one of the United Kingdom's most distinctive university choirs.
Alongside this artistic development, the Foundation will continue to invest in the next generation of choir-makers. Through leadership opportunities, teaching experience and artistic collaboration, Cambridge Schola aims to equip singers with the skills and confidence to become future conductors, educators, arts leaders and cultural entrepreneurs.
The Foundation also intends to expand its educational and community engagement activity. Building on relationships developed during the reporting period, Cambridge Schola will deepen partnerships with schools and community organisations, creating new opportunities for children and young people to experience high-quality music-making and benefit from engagement with inspiring role models drawn from the University's student community.
More fundamentally, Cambridge Schola believes it represents an important evolution of Cambridge's internationally renowned choral tradition. As a university-wide choir, independent of any individual college and drawing singers from across the University community, it is uniquely positioned to combine artistic excellence with education, leadership development and community engagement.
The Trustees believe this model makes Cambridge Schola a distinctive force within the choral sector. By extending the benefits of choral excellence beyond traditional collegiate structures and into schools, communities and public spaces, the choir is helping to demonstrate how Cambridge's rich musical heritage can remain relevant to new audiences and future generations.
As the Foundation enters its next phase of development, it does so with confidence and purpose, seeking not only to sustain a remarkable tradition but to help shape its future.
| Cambridge Schola Foundation - Registered 20 February 2025 Charity Number: 1212243 Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2025 |
Cambridge Schola Foundation - Registered 20 February 2025 Charity Number: 1212243 Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Current assets Cash and cash equivalents Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds Designated funds - unrestricted General funds - unrestricted Total funds |
|
| 12/31/2025 | |
| GBP 10,880.69 - |
|
| 10,880.69 | |
| 10,880.69 | |
| - - 10,880.69 |
|
| 10,880.69 |
| HFI (UK) I Limited Balance Sheet 31st December 2022 |
|
|---|---|
| Non current assets Investment In Money Market Fund Current assets Cash and cash equivalents Total assets Equity Share capital Retained earnings Profit for the year Total equity Non current liabilities Current liabilities Total liabilities Total equity and liabilities |
|
| 12/31/2022 | |
| EUR - 500 |
|
| 500 | |
| 500 - - |
|
| 500 - - |
|
| - | |
| 500 | |
| - |
Cambridge Schola Foundation - Registered 20 February 2025 Charity Number: 1212243
Unexamined Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the Year ended 31 December 2025
| Notes Income from: Donations and legacies 1 Charitable activities Other income 2 Total Income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 3 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
12/31/2025 | 12/31/2025 |
|---|---|---|
Notes
1 - During the period, the single largest donation received as from Deloitte UK for GBP 10,000. All income recevied in the period was designated as unrestricted.
2 - Other Income comprised Interest earned on the CIO's deposit account with CAF Bank during the period
3 - Expenditure comprises bank charges incurred on the CIO's deposit account with CAF Bank during the period
| Data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Classifcaton | Sum of Dr | Sum of Cr |
| Bank Charges Donatons Interest |
25.00 | 10,899.56 6.13 |
| Total Result | 25.00 | 10,905.69 |
| Net funds in fnancial year Accrued Donation |
||
| 10,880.69 | ||
| - | ||
| 10,880.69 |
Cambridge Schola Foundation - Registered 20 February 2025
GBP Account
Sort code: 40 - 52 - 40 Account number: 73000631 BIC: CAFBGB21XXX IBAN: GB40 CAFB 4052 4073 0006 31
| Date | Narrative | Dr | Cr | Balance | Classifcation |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/04/2025 | Stewardship Credit | 500.00 | 500.00 Donations | |||
| 8/12/2025 | Donation | 10,000.00 | 10,500.00 Donations | |||
| 8/15/2025 | Monthly Account Maintenance Fee | 5.00 | 10,495.00 Bank Charges | |||
| 8/26/2026 | Quarterly Credit Interest | 0.84 | 10,495.84 Interest | |||
| 9/15/2025 | Monthly Account Maintenance Fee | 5.00 | 10,490.84 Bank Charges | |||
| 10/15/2025 | Monthly Account Maintenance Fee | 5.00 | 10,485.84 Bank Charges | |||
| 11/17/2025 | Monthly Account Maintenance Fee | 5.00 | 10,480.84 Bank Charges | |||
| 11/26/2025 | Quarterly Credit Interest | 5.29 | 10,486.13 Interest | |||
| 12/15/2025 | Stripe Payments UK | 7.87 | 10,494.00 Donations | |||
| 12/15/2025 | Monthly Account Maintenance Fee | 5.00 | 10,489.00 Bank Charges | |||
| 12/22/2025 | Stripe Payments UK | 141.69 | 10,630.69 Donations | |||
| 12/23/2025 | Donation | 250.00 | 10,880.69 Donations | |||
| 1/15/2026 | Monthly Account Maintenance Fee | 5.00 | 10,875.69 Bank Charges | |||
| 2/16/2026 | Monthly Account Maintenance Fee | 5.00 | 10,870.69 Bank Charges | |||
| 2/26/2026 | Donation - Charities Trust | 1,000.00 | 11,870.69 Donations - Post Year End | |||
| 2/26/2026 | Quarterly Credit Interest | 5.43 | 11,876.12 Interest - Post Year End |