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 ple￿S
for the festive season.
Later in De￿mber 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 con￿rt.
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 cOn￿rt 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
cOn￿rt 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 Gon￿rtS
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 be￿een 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
Con￿rtS, 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 offI￿rS, 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
De￿Mber.
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 aUdIen￿S 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 ar￿Untir)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¢ ¢xPv￿ItUrQ
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 cOn￿rt
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