PLYMOUTH PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Meade King Hall, Plymouth College at 7pm on 6[th] October 2022.
Brian Gerry, Our President, in his address thanked everyone for their contribution to the success of the choir and congratulated Christopher and the committee under Margy’s leadership.
Brian commented that there were countless celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee but that the recent performance of “Orb and Sceptre” fell into the category of “exceptional” and this inspiring concert would be remembered for a long time. Christopher was outstanding and the choir surpassed themselves. He added that, having heard two choruses from “Judas Maccabaeus” as part of this concert, he was positive that we were all looking forward to the concert on 4[th] December in the Guildhall.
Present: Chair: Margy Keene, Secretary: Jen Millward, Associate Members’ Secretary: Alan Hart and approximately 70 members and associates.
1. Apologies; these were received from Anne-Marie Smith, Christopher Fletcher, Peter Evans, Jackie Visser, Ruth Morgan, Frances Tait, Tony Gummow, Jane Emberson, Fiona Covell, Corinne Collinson, Maire Dudleston, Michael Atkinson, John Perry, Julian Hall, Annette Bolton, Sue Maries, Meg Norris, Alison Tate, Janet Loftus, Chris Gunning, Janet Clarke, Louise Courtnell, Adrian Wardle, and Anna Lewoniewska.
2. Minutes of the last AGM were read and approved. Proposed by Charles Morgan and Seconded by Pauline Cornish.
3. Chair’s Report
Margy began by reminding us that at our AGM last October we had only just started rehearsing for our first concert in two years. The autumn concert of Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate had been a great success. The Choir also performed carols at the Garden House in Buckland Monachorum.
Our planned new year celebrations for Christopher’s 25[th] anniversary as Director of Music and Jenny Shepley’s retirement were postponed because of rising Covid cases and instead took place after Easter, helped by a generous anonymous donation from a choir member. We all enjoyed a glass of bubbly and some delicious cake made by Jenny Hart.
Our performance of Verdi’s Requiem, which was almost cancelled as a result of Covid and took place in April, was amazing. After the concert, the audience were invited to donate to a retiring collection to be divided between “Plymouth Together” (remembering the tragic events in Keyham in 2021) and DEC to support Ukraine. The collection raised £1,200.
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In July, the Choir held a highly successful “Orb and Sceptre” concert at St Andrew’s to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee which was compered by John Suchet.
The Choir started its’ new season on September 8[th] a few hours after the Queen’s passing. As a mark of respect, we dedicated our rehearsal to her.
The committee had continued to meet regularly both on Zoom and in person. Margy thanked all the committee for their hard work, in particular Jenny Kinder in producing our updated constitution. In addition, she also thanked Jenny Kinder and Alan Hart for their service to the Committee as they had made the decision to step down, both have made a significant contribution to the team over a number of years.
Our cheerful and efficient Ticket Manager for ten years, Ruth Gozzard, had also decided to step down from this role and Margy offered her our gratitude. She welcomed Rachel Gray who had stepped forward to take on this role.
Margy also welcomed our new accompanist, Irina, and look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with her as she shares her wonderful skills on the piano with us.
Our choir fundraising had recommenced which includes refreshments during the breaks. Some of these funds had been put towards the purchase of a new keyboard which will be used for the benefit of the Choir in future years.
Lastly, she thanked Christopher for all the wonderful music he had offered us this year and for being courageous when needed.
We would be holding our first choral workshop since 2019 with David Lawrence on 8[th] October, and would be preparing for our first concert of the season, Judas Maccabaeus, in the Guildhall on 4[th] December.
With the efforts of all choir members, Margy looked forward to the choir continuing to grow in strength.
4. Musical Director’s Report
Pete Cook offered some initial thoughts in Christopher’s absence commenting that he had been looking at the Choir’s Facebook page and how amazing it was to be able to sing together in person after not being able to for nearly two years. He recalled the days of attempting to do so via Zoom. The Choir feels more relaxed having gone through Covid. He offered thanks to Christopher on behalf of the Choir.
On 13[th] October, addressing the Choir in rehearsal, Christopher responded that the last season was a triumph over adversity. The Choir did not sing for
18 months, a period of time when it was possible for everyone to lose confidence in what it was possible to achieve. It was a huge shock and source of sadness when Jenny Shepley, our hugely talented accompanist, decided to retire. Accompanying a large choir is a highly skilled role. Many scores are challenging and this must be balanced with a sensitivity towards the choir. Our new accompanist, Irina Kosogova, joined us two weeks before our Autumn concert in 2021. The Choir is a group of people coming and working together for a specific purpose and there is a huge value in being part of a wonderful group which works so well together. Christopher encouraged us to have another wonderful season by working hard both individually and collectively.
5. Treasurer’s Report (read by Jen Millward in Anne-Marie Smith’s absence)
The concerts were all good, although audience numbers were lower than before Covid. The Choir incurred losses for the first two concerts of the season of £11,000, whilst the “Orb and Sceptre” concert made a slight profit. On this basis, it would appear prudent to raise the Choir subscription from £140 to £150 to offset these losses . We receive between £30 and £40 a week profit on refreshments, Frances Spencer raised approximately £200 on the sale of books and CD’s, £120 profit was made on the sale of the Choir calendar. The 100 club was now up and running. The EasyFundraising and Amazon Smile resulted in us receiving £422 last year. £1,500 was received from Charles Stanley towards the “Orb and Sceptre” concert, whilst £3,697 was received in Gift Aid. £15,500 was received in subscriptions. Concert expenses minus ticket sales resulted in a loss of £9,822 this year. It would therefore be prudent to raise our ticket prices from £18 to £20 for tickets purchased in advance and from £20 to £22 when purchased on the door.
There was some concern expressed about the raising of ticket prices during the cost of living crisis.
It was proposed by Ruth Gozzard that the accounts were accepted and this was seconded by Barbara Shillabeer. The motion was passed by the majority of choir members.
6. Subscriptions
It was proposed by Pauline that Choir Subscriptions be raised from £140 to £150. This was seconded by Mary Johnson. The motion was passed by the majority of choir members.
7. Associate Members’ Report
Alan outlined the advantages of becoming as Associate Member for the benefit of new members of the Choir which include: supporting the Choir, discounted concert tickets, complimentary programmes, the choice of sitting in the
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Balcony at the Guildhall. Lastly, they make ideal Christmas presents for singers’ family members. Alan made enrolment flyers which were dispersed through the hall to encourage members to inform others about the scheme.
8. Resolution: that the new updated choir Constitution be formally adopted by the membership.
The draft Constitution had been e-mailed to all members. Charles Morgan proposed its’ adoption. It was seconded by Rachel Gray. The motion to accept the new constitution was passed by the membership with 5 abstentions.
9. Election of Committee
There were 5 Officers of the Committee who were all prepared to stand again;
| Chair | Margy Keene |
|---|---|
| Deputy Chairman | Mark Newberry |
| Secretary | Jennifer Millward |
| Treasurer | Anne-Marie Smith |
| Membership Secretary | Pat Brodie |
Mary Johnson proposed these members for the Committee and this was seconded by Ruth Gozzard.
The other Committee Members also willing to stand again are;
| Press Secretary | Mary Johnson |
|---|---|
| Concert Secretary | Charles Morgan |
| Pastoral Care Co-ordinator | Janet Perks |
| Voice Representative | Jenny Hart |
These Committee members were proposed by Rachel Gray and seconded by Delia Chrichton.
10. Any other Business
We will be able to use the Guildhall for our concerts in December ’22 and March ’23 after which it will be closed for refurbishment. Our summer concert will therefore be held in St Andrew’s Church and will include a cream tea. Tickets for this concert will be the same price as our other concerts because of the inclusion of the cream tea. Our next AGM will be held in October ’23.
The Meeting closed at 19.58pm.
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