THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR Trustees, Report and Accounts for the Year ended 31st July 2023 Contents Page Legal and Administrative Information Trustees, Report.. Objectives and Activities Financial Review Structure, Governance and Management Appointment of Trustees Achievemenls and Performance Independent Examiner's Report Statement of financial aclivities Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts 7-10 Legal and Administrative Information The Bristol Bach Choir I'the Society'} was established 29 June 1967, with adoption of constitution and amendment of rules adapted on 12 November 2009. An amended constitution and rules were adopted on 23 March 2023. It is registered with the Charity Commission and its registered number is 253338. Its principal address is 59 Reedley Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3TD Trustees, Report Objectives and Activities The Constitution of 2009 sets out the Objectives of the Bristol Bach Choir {'Ihe Society") shall be.. 1. to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects, in particular the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, the Baroque era, and contemporary music by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals- 2. to further such charitable purpose or purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit but in particular through the making of grants and donations. These objectives and activities have not Changed in the new Constitution of 2023. Financial Review This was our second season back after lockdown. Following the departure of our musical director Christopher Finch and the appointment of many new committee members, this was season where we proceeded cautiously. Our numbers in the choir also remained lower than before the pandemic. So we scheduled concerts that were in line with our forces and would not pla significant strain on our finances. We were fortunate to obtain the services of David Bednall as temporary musical directorfor the start of the season. Wilh his assistance we were able to pul on concerts in November and December whilst we searched for someone on a permanent basis. These concerts were relatively inexpensive, with just organ and piano accompanimenl respeclively, and we were able to generate surpluses, despite reduced audience levels.
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR In January 2023 we auditioned four short-listed candidates to be musical director and, taking into account feedback from members, the committee decided lo invite David Bednall lo take up the role on a pemanent basis. David accepted the offer and took up the post on 1 April 2023. Due lo a prior commitment David was not able to conduct our March concert,. we were instead very ably directed by Nigel Nash, our long-standing accompanist. The programme for that concert was more ambitious, with professional soloists,. the Bristol Bach Choir Foundation kindly provided financial support for that concert, and as a result we were able to break even. For the final concert of the season we again were cautious, given it was David's first as musical director. Again it was just with organ accompaniment and we were able to break even despite reduced audience numbers. So as a result we achieved a surplus on concerts over the season as a whole. However, this was a less ambitious series of concerts than we would normally aim to put on. If we had opted for one of the concerts to be one where we perfomi with an orchestra, which has been our normal practice in the past, we would most likely have suffered a significant shortfall. We benefited from continued support from our Patrons, many of whom have been supporting us for a number of years. They provide a core audience and also make regular donations. On the other hand, with reduced number of choir members we did not cover our weekly rehearsal costs. This shortfall was partially covered by income from a number of rent-a-choir events., we are grateful for the current and former choir members and patrons who helped with those. Due to higher interest rates than in recent years, our deposit account generated a significant amounl of interest. However, we do require our assets to generate returns so that our reseNes broadly keep their value in real terms. Taking everything into account, we did make a surplus for the year, before allowing for the interest earned on our assets. However, our ability lo perform ambitious concerts, is currently constrained to some exent by our numbers and the audience levels we are able to altracl. We are fortunate to have reserves currently, and we are grateful for the support the Bristol Bach Choir Foundation provides. This does allow us lo continue to plan future seasons with relative Confiden for the time being. Our 2023124 season is more ambitious and is expected to lead to a redurtion in our reserves. Structure, Governance and Management Six trustees were voted in at the start of the season. Julie Borowski, Lisa Lewis, Emma Lovell, Rod Thouless, Basile Vigneron and Thomas Weidner (the Trustees). Lisa Lewis served as Chair, Rod Thouless as Treasurer and Emma Lovell as Secretary. Appointment of Trustees In accordance with the Constitution of 2009, the management of the Society shall be in the hands of a Committee consisting ofthe Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and not fewer than 3 nor more than 7 addilional officers (all of whom shall be members of the Society). The Officers shall be elected by and out of the Society s members at the Annual General Meeting. Any Officer so elected shall occupy that office until the next Annual General meeting. No Officer may occupy any one office for more than three consecutive years, save where there are no nominations to replace that Officer. No Officer shall serve on the Committee for more than six consecutive years. The Committee are the charity's trustees.
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR This was amended in the Constitution of 2023. The management of the Charity shall now be in the hands of a committee of Elected Trustees, including a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer as a minimum, with more officer roles appointed if deemed necessary by the trustees, with no maximum number. All Trustees of the Charity shall be members of the Charity. Elected Trustees shall be elected by & out of the Charity's members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). At each AGM, a third of the Elected Trustees shall retire and be eligible for re-election up to a fixed number of three-year terms as set oui in the Chartty's rules and regulations. In addition to Elected Truste&s, further trustees can be elected by existing Trustees as Co-opted Trustees. Co-opted Trustees are not able to vote at committee meelings, should one take place. Co-opted Trustees would be expecled to stand for election by members at the next AGM. Where relevant, existing Elected Trustees can appoint Co-opted Truslees who are not a member of the Charity. to provide addilional expertise or experience, provided Ihal the number of such Co-opled Trustees does not represent more than one third of all trustees and they do not serve more than two consecutive three year term. Achievements and Perforniance In perfomiance of the Trust Objectives. the Society has perfOned 4 times during this financial year. November 2022.. We sang mixed programme of sacred and secular works in All Saints Clifton. The pieces performed included works by Mendelssohn, Bednall, JS Bach, Vaughan Williams, Brahms, Stanford, Holst and Faure. December 2022.. We had a cOnrt of a mix of traditional and less well known carols and readings in St Georges, Bristol. March 2023: We performed for the first time in St Albans church, Weslbury Park, Bristol. In the firsl half we sang Mozart's Vesperae solennes de Confessore. The second half was a mix of sacred works by Byrd, Stanford. Harris, Tallis and Howells, combined with Five Spirituals by Tippett. June 2023: We retumed to St Mary Redcliffe church lo perform a programme lebrating William Byrd and coronation music. The programme included Byrd's Infelix Ego and Ad Dominum Cum Tribularer, Handel's The King Shall Rejoice and My Heart is Inditing of a Good Matter, Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb as well as works by Finzi, Bednall, Howells and Parry. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by.. Mrs Lisa Lewis, Chair Mr Rod Thouless, Treasurer Dale.. ZS/&-J29 Date:
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR Independent Examiner's Report on the accounts Report to the trustees of the Bristol Bach Choir, registered charity number 253338, on accounts for th6 year ended 31sl July 2023 set out on pages 5 to 8. Raspective responsibilities of trustees and 8xaminer The charity's truslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (Yhe Charities Acl") and also that an independent examination is not needed due to the low gross income this year. However. they have chosen to have an independent examination, as has been needed in previous years. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under s8Ction 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the pro¢edures laid down in the general Direclions and guidan for examiners {CC32)given by the Charity Commission {under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come lo my attention Basis of Independent examinerfs statement My examination was carried out in accordan with the general Directions for examiners given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the acGounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audil, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's stat8ment In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my altention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records" or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements Conrning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have corne across no other matters in connection with th8 èxamination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed.. Address: 16 Wyedale Avenue Coombe Dingle Bristol BS9 2QQ Mr Philip Neville Date..
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR Statement of Financial Activities 2022-23 2021-22 Income (Note 4) Income and endowments from: Subscriptions, Donations and Grants £11,832 £15,736 Charitable activities £14,264 £18,437 Investment interest £664 £57 other £907 £1,319 Total £27,667 £35,549 Expenditure (Notes 5) Expenditure on: Charitable activities £22,960 £35,706 other £1,460 £1,024 Total £24,420 £36,729 Net incomel(expenditure) for the reporting period £3,247 -£1,180 Reconciliation of funds." Total funds brought fomard £28,491 £29,671 Total funds carried fOard £31,738 £28,491 Balance Sheet 2022123 2021122 Current Assets Deposits- CCLA COIF Charities Deposit Fund Cash at bank- Barclays PIC Debtors and prepayments Total £23,169 £22,505 £7,355 £8,050 £2,030 -£233 £32,334 £30,322 Less current liabilities Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year Net Assets l General purpose fund (unrestricted) £816 £1,831 £31,738 £28,491
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR andwern slgned on ts beha¥by. Mrs Lisa Chair Date: 2&/(/ Dat8: li*
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR Notes to the Accounts 1. Basis of Preparation 1.1 Basis of accounting These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(sl to these accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16th July 2014 and with the Charities Act 2011. 1.2 Accounting policy In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS102 and the Charities SORP FRS 102 the restatement of comparative items is required. No restatement of comparative items is considered necessary. 1.3 Material prior year errors No material prior year errors have been identified in the reporting period. 1.4 Policy for holding reserves There is £23,169 held in cash in a savings account, which is treated as reserves for the choir. This will not be accessed unless agreed by the committee for special projects or if there is not enough funds in the working bank account, e.g. building the website or a large expensive concert. The committee may be approached to approve accessing these funds to help finance some of the concerts for the 2024125 financial year. There are currently no financial uncertainties about the Society continuing as a going concern. 2. Accounting Policies 2.1 Income Income is recognised when the Society has entitlement to the funds, any performan conditions attached to the item(sl of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured directly. Donations and grants are recognized once received. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performan before the Society is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognized until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Society and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. Tax reclaims on donations and gifts.. Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift. Income from interest and dividends.. This is included in the accounts when receipt is probable and the amount receivable can be measured reliably. Fund accounting.. Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes ofthe Society. The Society has no other funds.
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR 2.2 Expenditure and Liabilities Liability Recognition.. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Society to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. Deferred Income.. Some material items of deferred income have been included in the accounts. This includes a provision of £550 for monies received in advance of a rent-a-choir event carried foNard to the 2023-24 season. 2.3 Assets Debtors.. Debtors are measured at the settlement amount at the cash consideration expected to be received. Cash at bank and in hand.. Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. 3. Related Party Transactions and Trustees, Remuneration The Trustees received no emoluments or reimbursement of expenses. 4. Income Income Recognition.. Income is recognised as and when received, unless il is more likely than not that there is an obligation committing the Society to return the funds and the amount to be retumed can be measured with reasonable certainty.
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR Income 2022123 2021122 Donations, Grants & Subscriptions Membership Subscriptions Donations & Gifts £6,937 £7,199 £1,675 £3,704 Gift Aid £1,220 £1,833 Grants from other Charities £2,000 £3,000 Total £11,832 £15,736 Charitable Activities Tickets £12,553 £17,311 Programmes & Advertising Refreshments £166 £211 £391 £0 Members music recoveries £1,154 £915 Total £14,264 £18,437 Investment income Inlerest on deposits and cash at bank £664 £57 Other income Rent-a-choir £510 £1,175 Other £397 £144 Total £907 £1,319
THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR Expenditure 2022123 2021122 Expenditure on Charitable Activities Perfomiers Fees £4,900 £14,637 Hire Charges £4,752 £7,865 Printing and Advertising £1,675 £1,465 Members, music costs £1,331 £448 Other concert expenditure £1,264 £1,784 Rehearsal costs £9,038 £9,506 Marketing costs £0 £0 Total £22,960 £35,706 Other Ex enditure Sound engineer fee written off Making Music membership Admin, expenses and gifts Patrons event -£750 £550 £502 £251 £658 £106 £0 MD RecruitmentlReaudition costs £266 £614 Other £287 £0 Totsl £1,460 £1,024 io