Coventry Cathedral CHORUS ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMirrEE YEAR ENDING 31 JULY 2025 Coventry Cathedral Chorus (fomerly Saint Michael's Singers) was established in 1963 soon after the consecration of the new Cathedral Church of Saint Michael at Coventry. The society retains a close association with the Cathedral. which provides a base for rehearsals and a venue for some concerts. The choir also regularly takes part in concerts in other locations and has occasional opportunities to join with other choirs and orchestras to perfom at venues further afield. The choir's current membership of about 60 mixed voices is drawn from a wide region centred on Coventy. Entran to and continued membership of the choir Is subject to regular audition. From January 2022, Rachel Mahon has been the Chorus, Director of Music, following on from Paul Leddington-wright's long tenure. Rachel is also the Director of Music at Coventry Cathedral. The Chorus is run by a voluntary Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting and has no paid officers. Although of amateur status. Coventry Cathedral Chorus strives to achieve the highest possible artistic standards. as dedared in its constitution: The aims and objectives of the choir sh811 be the study and pr8Ctice of choral music in order to foster public knowledge and appreciation of such music, both known and newly composed. by means of public perfom?anGg of the highest po&sible standard Over the years the Chorus has been recognised as among the region's leading choral societies, both in tenns of its diversity of music and in the quality of perfonnance.
OFFICERS The officers of the society for the season 202412025 were as follows: Chair: Kit Lawry Vice Chair: Hazel Allen Honorary Treasurer: Eve Cooper Honorary Membership Secretary: Olwyn Seal other elected commlttee members: Martin Ablitt (stepped down in 2024) Julie Barnes Sally Bradshaw Sally Hughes Philippa Rainbird (stepped down at Christmas 2024) Louise Ransbery Chris Raynor Carole Solway (moved away at Christmas 2024) Conductor: Assistant Conductor: Emeritus Conductor: Rachel Mahon Luke Fitzgerald Paul Leddington-wright Chaimian's Address: Honorary Treasurerfs Address: Kit Lawry 19 Lower Ladyes Hills Kenilworth CV8 2GN Mobile: 07774 524352 Email: chairofccc@gmail.com Eve C(K)per 36 Beechwcxxl Avenue Coventy CV5 6QG 07760 153566 email: ccctreasurer1963@gmail.com Charity Registration Number: 257047
THE SEASON'S ACTIVITIES Coventry Cathedral Chorus, own pn)motions To commemorate Remembrance Day in November 2024 the Chorus perfomied Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle in Coventry Cathedral, conducted by Luke Fitzgerald as Rachel was on matemty leave. In December 2024 the choir presented a Christrnastide Celebration in Coventry Cathedral. We were joined and accompanied by the Brass Band of Central England, children from the Atl Saints Primary Schix)l and the Choristers of Coventry Cathedral. to raise furKJs for the Coventry & Warwickshire Children's Charity. The programme mprised a mix of px)pular sacred and secular pleS for the festive season. Later in Dember 2024. we rforrned Handel's Messiah by candlelight in Coventry Cathedral. Despite this being on a weekday there was a good audience. The professional Orchestra Pro Anima accompanied us for this, under Michael Bochmann. Rachel retumed from matemity leave to conduct this conrt. On Good Friday in April 2025 the choir performed Charles Wood's St Mark's Passion, and Finzi's Welcome Sweet and Sacred Feast in Coventry Cathedral, conducted by Luke Fitzgerald. In May 2025, we repeated our previous yeaff s (x)Ilaboration with the Coventry & Warwickshire Youth Orchestra to sing a Last Night of the Proms concert. this time in All Saints Church in Leamington Spa. We had some sponsorship from Kenilworth Lions Club and. as last year. this cOnrt was much enjoyed. Luke Fitzgerald and Joe Davies were the conductors of CCC and CWYC respectively. Rachel Mahon retumed from maternity leave to conduct our final concert in the busy 2024-2025 season. This was a celebration of Elizabethan music in St John's Church. Kenilwoth, as part of English Heritage and Kenilworth Town Council's marking of the 4501h anniversary of Queen Elizabeth 1's final visit to Kenilworth. We had some sponsorship from Kenilworth Town Council for this cOnrt and attracted a Kenilworth-based audience many of whom hadn't heard us sing before. Performances not promoted by Coventry Cathedral Chonjs On 1 November 2024 a group of CCC singers joined London Music Promoter senbla.com to provide background singing for a performance of Game of Thrones music in Warviyck Arts Centre's Butterworth Hall. CCC were paid for this performance. The Hall was full and the audience feedback was very positive. We also performed 2 paid concerts in Compton Verney's Chapel on 13 December. Compton Vemey is a Warwickshire stately home art gallery. This was the first time we'd sung there, and a new audience for us as well. The venue. atmosphere and decorations were beautiful, and we enjoyed the experience - as did the audien.
Financial Outcome of GonrtS Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle: This concert attracted a fair sized audience but made a deficit of £2972. Christrnastide Celebration: The Children's Charity had a p)or fundraising year and did r)ot contribute to the cost of hiring the Cathedral. This meant a loss for the Chorus of £2722. The Chorus have decided it is not worth continuing with this concert in its current form. Handel's Messiah by candlelight: This concert attracted a reasonably sized audience who were very appreciative. We were working with a professional orchestra, though, so the outcome was a defictt of £3409. Good Friday Concert: Audien numbers were quite low for this event, possibly because the works are less well known. although they attracted much appreciation. The outcome was a deficit of £1305. Last Night of the Proms: This event was promoted jointly with the Coventry & Warwickshire Youth Orchestra. hoping to be a crowd-drawer and produce some profit. It did attract people who cleady enjoyed the event. but in the end. there was a deficit of £482. split equally beeen CCC armd CWYO. Celebration of Elizabethan music: The final conc£rt of the year was very well attended and made a profit of £1893. To be frugal with CCC'S available funds. and ty not to make big losses from ConrtS, we will continue to seek opportunities of paid gigs. and of collaborations with other choirs or orchestras, so they bear or share the financial burden. We have several collaborations lined up for the 2025-26 seas(. FINANCE Members. Contributions Weekly rehearsal costs (see below) are covered by the members. annual subscriptions. which for this season were raised to £140 per person. Subscriptions amounted to £8974, and Patrons. donations raised £2693, both induding Gift Aid which was claimed where applicable. The 100 club operated again this year. raising £370 for the Chorus. Fees Earned A total of £3000 was eamed from 2 paid events. Non4oncert Income Royalties are eamed from time-t&time from CD. radio or television recording sessions. This year the fees totalled £247. Concert Productions The principal financial outlay for the Chorus is its concerts. Concert expenditure this year was £23,547.
Rehearsal Costs Rehearsal Gosts cA)nsist of fees to the (x)ThJuctor and accompanist. In 2024-25 these totalled £9096. Administrative Costs Having no paid offIrS, but a very hard-working voluntary committee. the society has very low administration costs of £145. just 0.4 % of experKliture. LOOKING FORWARD Concert Planning Looking forward to the 202>26 season. we plan a busy concert programme: Faure's Requiem on 2 November 2025 in Coventy Cathedral, as part of the liturgy of the Cathedral. Handel's Messiah by candlelight in Coventy Cathedral on Saturday 13 December 2025. Two paid concerts at Compton Vemey for Winter 2025 on Friday 19 DeMber. Three local community carol singing events. in UHCW, outside The Town Wall Tavem, Coventry and in the New Inn pub, Leamington Spa. Britten's War Requiem on Saturday 28 February 2026 in St George's Chapel. Windsor Castle, wtth CCC joining as guests of Imperial College Chamber Choir. Charles Stainer's Crucifjxion in Coventy Cathedral on Good Friday, 3 April 2026. Mahler's 8th Symphony in Coventry Cathedral on Monday 16 May 2026. as part of a large cdlaboration led by Joe Davies. We will endeavour to maintain the mix of the 2024-25 season: of performing some concerts promoted by CCC. some in collaboration with other orchestras or choirs, some for payment. and singing in several different venues. to different audiences. Futur8 Development We shall seek to expand our reputation and build aUdIenS through promoting regular, popular events. We aim to increase our presen on social media and actively work on inexpensive ways to increase our 'reach' of audiences, such as the Warwickshire District newsletter. We have taken out membership of Culture Central which gives us free access to 2,000 people in Warwick. Leamington. Kenilworth. Birmingham and the West Midlands through its fortnightly Newsletter where we can advertise our concerts for free. Importantly we shall continue to actively recruit new members both for the benefit of the choir and because of the audience members they bring with them. Most new members come through word of mouth from friends.
CONCLUSION Coventy Cathedral Chorus will continue to use the resources at its disposal to promote concerts of choral music to high standards. collaborating where possible with professional and amateur soloists and orchestras. The choir is always keen to appeal to new audiences, as well as retaining existing customers, by presenting a wide varFety of music. It also takes every opportunity to encourage the interest and involvement of young people in choral music. In all of these ways the society seeks to fulfil the objectives of its constitution by bringing awareness and enjoyment of choral music to as wide a range of the public as possible. On behalf of the management committee: Klt Lawry Chair Eve Cooper Honorary Treasurer
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Coventry Cathedral Chorus. I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 st July 2025, which are set outonpages8to11. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiners The charity's trustees 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 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independant Examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions 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 recorded. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees cx)ncerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and ,consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examlnerfs slatement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe thal, in any material respect, the requirements: a. to keep arUntir)g records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Acl. and b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met. or 2) to which. in rny opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 2f. David M Phillips. Chartered Management Accounlant. Phillips and Becker Ltd, Accountancy House. 4 Priory Road. Kenilworth. WaThvickshire CV8 1 LL
COVENTRY CATHEDRAL CHORUS Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 July 2025 Notes Totsl 2024125 Totsl 20221Z3 Income Concert Income 14x17 21,152 Oonation5 633 Fees earned Net income from Recording5lRoyaltie5 Membership subscriptions Bank & 8uildinB Society Interest Transport Muslc & Folders 247 224 8.974 128 10.325 210 460 553 1.339 2,719 660 Patrons 2.693 570 ILX) Club Fundraising Other 167 78 33.152 37A40 Ex ndlture rect tharStabl¢ ¢xPvItUrQ Concert costs 23.547 24,490 8,285 Rehearsal costs Other expenditure Admlnlstratlon costs 145 105 Insuran 81 79 Memberships PRS 392 125 379 Publicity Tran5POrt Musit & Folders 637 1,493 1,050 1,579 ICQ Club 2(KJ Subs reimbursement 70 165 Ott)er- soclal events. refreshments. S Donatlon to auditor's charity Total resources expended 585 398 225 22S 35.660 38,940 Pnfflt/ ILo55) 12.5081 11.1001 Interest from COIF investment fvnd 249 1.962 Fund Balance at start of year 35,622 34,760 Fund Balance at end of year 33.363 35,622
COVENTrY CATHEDRAL CHORUS Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2025 Notes 2024/25 2023124 Current Assets Debtors & Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand COIF Investment Fund 2.079 13,040 20,553 35,672 12,561 20,802 33,363 Creditors 50 Net Current Assets 33,363 35,622 Net Assets 33,363 35,622 Fund Balances Unrestricted Funds 33,363 35,622 Total Funds 33,363 35,622 Approved by the Committee Members on 17th November 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Kit Lawry CHAIR Eve Cooper HONORARYTREASURER
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 All activities are classed as continuing. Notes on page5 10 and 11 form an integral part of these accounts. Cornmlttee Costs The Society is a totally voluntary orgaDiSation, and no member of its Committee of Management is remunerated. £663.38 was reimbursed during the year to two Commtttee members in respect of administrative costs incurred by them on behalf of the Choru& io
COVENTRY CATHEDRAL CHORUS Notes to the Financial Statement for the year ending 31 July 2025 2024/25 2023124 l. Fees Earned Senbla cOnrt Compton Verney Concerts 2. Debtors Trade & sundry debtors 2,079 3. Investments Balan at start of year Balan at end ofyear Increase Idecreasel in fvnd valuation 20.553 20.802 249 18,591 20,553 1.962 4. Creditors Trade Creditors so 5. Patrons The brought forward balan in the Patrons, Fund stood at £17.041 Income from Patrons of £2,693 represents subscriptions and Grft Aid vthere applicable The balance in the Patron's fund on 31 July 2025 was £19.734. li