**THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR** ## **Trustees’ Report and Accounts for the Year ended 31st July 2024** |**Contents**|**Page**| |---|---| |Legal and Administrative Information|1| |Trustees’ Report: Objectives and Activities|1| |Financial Review|1| |Structure, Governance and Management|2| |Appointment of Trustees|2| |Achievements and Performance|3| |Independent Examiner’s Report|4| |Statement of financial activities|5| |Balance Sheet|5| |Notes to the Accounts|7-10| ## **Legal and Administrative Information** The Bristol Bach Choir (“the Society”) was established 29[th] June 1967, with adoption of constitution and amendment of rules adopted on 12[th] November 2009. An amended constitution and rules were adopted on 23[rd] 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 2023 sets out the Objectives of the Bristol Bach Choir ("the 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. ## **Financial Review** This was our first full season under our new musical director, David Bednall. With the support of the Bristol Bach Choir Foundation we were able to schedule an adventurous season, although numbers in the choir still remained lower than before the pandemic. We started the season with a concert that paired the familiar delights of JS Bach’s Magnificat, where we were joined by orchestra and professional soloists, with a number of contemporary pieces composed by Bristolians. In particular, we commissioned a new work by Esther Bersweden, which was very well received. We continued our season with our traditional Christmas concert in St Georges, but with a twist. We performed on a Sunday afternoon and were joined by choirs from the Horfield CEVC Primary School. The children sang very enthusiastically! 1 **THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR** For the spring 2024 concert we combined the serene Stabat Mater by Domenico Scarlatti with the evocative Requiem by Gabriel Jackson. These works were technically difficult, but we rose to the challenge and our performance was very well received. For the final concert of the season in June 2024 we were fortunate to be able to hire the Redland Hall at Redmaids High School. We performed a variety of works by 20[th] and 21[st] century composers, such as Bob Chilcott, William Mathias, Cecelia McDowall and George Shearing. It was a shame we didn’t have a larger audience. Overall we achieved a modest shortfall on concerts over the season as a whole, mainly due to the significant costs of the November concert. For the other concerts we broadly broke even. 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 amount of interest. However, we do require our assets to generate returns so that our reserves broadly keep their value in real terms. Taking everything into account, we made a modest shortfall for the year, before allowing for the interest earned on our assets. Our ability to perform ambitious concerts, is currently constrained to some extent by our numbers and the audience levels we are able to attract. We are fortunate to have reserves currently, and we are grateful for the support that the Bristol Bach Choir Foundation provides. This does allow us to continue to plan future seasons with relative confidence for the time being. Our 2024/25 season is again ambitious and is expected to lead to a modest reduction in our reserves. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Five trustees were voted in at the start of the season. Julie Borowski, Lisa Lewis, Emma Lovell, Rod Thouless and Basile Vigneron (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 2023 the management of the Charity is 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 out in the Charity’s rules and regulations. In addition to Elected Trustees, further trustees can be elected by existing Trustees as Co-opted Trustees. Co-opted Trustees are not able to vote at committee meetings, should one take place. Co-opted Trustees would be expected to stand for election by members at the next AGM. Where relevant, existing Elected Trustees can appoint Co-opted Trustees who are not a member of the Charity, to provide additional expertise or experience, provided that the number of such Co-opted Trustees does not represent more than one third of all trustees and they do not serve more than two consecutive three year term. 2 THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR Achievements and Performance In performance of the Trust Objectives, the Society has performed 4 times during this financial year. November 2023.. We sang a mixed programme of Baroque and contemporary works in St Albans, Weslbury Park. The pieces performed included works by JS Bach, Bednall, Bersweden, Kitay, Pickard, Stunl and Warren. December 2023.. We had a concert of a mix of traditional and less well known carols and readings in St Georges, Bristol. March 2024: We performed Domenico Scarlalti's Stabar Mater and Gabriel Jackson's Requiem in All Saints, Clifton. June 2024.. We performed a mixed programme of secular works in Redland Hall, Redmaids High School, in¢luding works by Bob Chilcott, Lily Boulanger, William Mathias, Cecilia McDowall and George Shearing. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by- Mrs Lisa Lewis, Chair Mr Rod Thouless, Treasurer Date: IF !s.1.7r Date. 14/g/k THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR Independent Examiner's Report oil thE accounts Report to the trustees of the Bristol Bach Choir, registered charity number 253338. on accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024 set out on pages 5 10 8. Respective rgqrjonsibilities of trustèes and èxaminer The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audil is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Charities Act") and also that an independent examinalion is not needed due lo 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 section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the prO￿dureS laid down in the general Directions and guidance for examiners {CC32}given by the Charity Commission (under section 145{5}Ib) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of Independent examiner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions and guidance 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 accounts presented with those records. 11 also includes Gonsideration 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 eviden￿ that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opir)ion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited lo those matters set OLrt in the statement below Independent examinels statement In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention 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 aGGounting records, 01 (lie accounts dia not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in Ihe Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Yrue and fair, view which is nol a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding ofthe 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** ||2023-24|2022-23| |---|---|---| |**Income (Note 4)**||| |**Income and endowments from:**||| |Subscriptions, Donations and Grants|£16,848|£11,832| |Charitable activities|£15,799|£14,264| |Investment interest|£1,344|£664| |Other|£836|£907| |**_Total_**|£34,827|£27,667| |**Expenditure (Notes 5)**||| |**Expenditure on:**||| |Charitable activities|£33,698|£22,960| |Other|£1,533|£1,460| |**_Total_**|£35,231|£24,420| |||| |**Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period**|£(404)|£3,247| |**_Reconciliation of funds:_**||| |Total funds brought forward|£31,738|£28,491| |**_Total funds carried forward_**|£31,334|£31,738| |**Balance Sheet**||| ||2023/24|2022/23| |**Current Assets**||| |Deposits - CCLA COIF Charities Deposit Fund|£27,014|£23,169| |Cash at bank - Barclays Plc|£2,822|£7,355| |Debtors and prepayments|£3,626|£2,030| |**Total**|£33,462|£32,334| |**Less current liabilities**||| |Creditors: amounts falling due within one year|£2,128|£816| |**Net Assets / General purpose fund (unrestricted)**|£31,334|£31,738| 5 THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR These financial Stat•M￿ approvad by tho Conyi)rtto• ¢)n 12 May 2025 and We￿ signed on ts behalfby: Mr Rod Thouless, Treasurer Lisa Lthvts, Chair Date: .. i.s-./.<./z.¥.. Date: **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(s) 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 currently around £27,000 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 2024/25 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 performance conditions attached to the item(s) 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 performance 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 of the Society. The Society has no other funds. 7 **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: No items of deferred income have been included in the accounts. ## 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 it is more likely than not that there is an obligation committing the Society to return the funds and the amount to be returned can be measured with reasonable certainty. 8 ## **THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR** ## **Income** |.|**Donations, Grants & Subscriptions**
Membership Subscriptions
Donations & Gifts
Gift Aid
Grants from other Charities|2023/24
2022/23
£7,766
£6,937
£2,139
£1,675
£1,243
£1,220
£5,700
£2,000| |---|---|---| ||**Total**|£16,848
£11,832| ||**Charitable Activities**
Tickets
Programmes & Advertising
Refreshments
Members music recoveries
**Total**|£13,920
£12,553
£196
£166
£322
£391
£1,360
£1,154| |||£15,798
£14,264| ||**Investment income**
Interest on deposits and cash at bank
**Other income**
Rent-a-choir
Other|£1,344
£664
£825
£510
£11
£397| ||**Total**|£836
£907| 9 ## **THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR** ## **Expenditure** |**Expenditure on Charitable Activities**
Performers Fees
Hire Charges
Printing and Advertising
Members’ music costs
Other concert expenditure
Rehearsal costs
Marketing costs
**Total**
**Other Expenditure**
Making Music membership
Admin, expenses and gifts
Patrons event
MD Recruitment/Reaudition costs
Other
**Total**|**Expenditure on Charitable Activities**
Performers Fees
Hire Charges
Printing and Advertising
Members’ music costs
Other concert expenditure
Rehearsal costs
Marketing costs
**Total**|2023/24
2022/23
£11,567
£4,900
£5,361
£4,752
£2,078
£1,675
£1,621
£1,331
£2,812
£1,264
£10,259
£9,038
£0
£0
£33,698
£22,960
£543
£550
£20
£251
£447
£106
£0
£266
£523
£287| |---|---|---| |||£1,533
£1,460| 10