ussex Chorus Annual Reports & Accounts For the year ended 31st May 2023 Sussex Chorus Report and Flnancial Statsments for the year endèd 31*1 May 2023 Contents: Director of Music's Report Chaimian's Report Legal and Administrative Information Report of the Trustees Independent Examiner's Report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of Assets and Liabilities Sussex ChoTUS Registered chanty lin England & Wales) no.. 271678 Director of Music's Reports l am delighted wrth Ihe overall growth in numbers, enthusiasm, and musical attainment this season. We began with a gala to celebrate the ￿ntenary of the choir and it was an enomous success. Opera choruses and favourrtes were presented. I was delighted with the way the choir tackled this notoriously tricky repertoire. The soloists and orchestra added to this unique event. The next concert was a double bill of Haydn and Hamilton. The idea of doing a new Requiem by Timothy Hamilton was always going to be bold., new works are often a risk financially However, pairing it with Haydn's Nelson Mass helped to make It a popular concert. The choir and the audience were equally moved and impressed with this beautiful 21° century work and the composer, Timothy Hamilton, was in the audience. The Rosenau Sinfonia, who had played on the Naxos recording, were the orchestra and showed their skill in the variety of style required for both classical and modern repertoire. Christmas provided another opportunity for Sussex Chows to perfom carols in a beautiful concert at Sheffield Park. Sadly, despite noble efforts, the weather got the better of the first of the Iwo concerts, but despite the snow. the second concert was an enorynous Success. This could become a welcome annual fixture for the choir. In the spring, and wilh Easter in mind, Ihe choir presented another work that was previously unknown lo them, the Slabat Matérby Antonin Dvorak. This extremely beautrful work quickly worked ils way into the hearts of the Choir and some of the besl singing dunng my time as musical director was heard. The excellenl soloi51s and a retum of the marvellous Kent Sinfonia helped to make Ihis concert one of the most memorable evenls of the Sussex musical calendar. The choir goes from strength to strength and I feel that we are finally out of the slump that was caused by the pandemic. We are now ready io embrace the Challenging works planned for n8Xt season. Stephen Anthony Brown Director of Music 07 July 2023 Sussex Chorus Registered charity lin England & Wales) no.. 271678 Chairman's Report The year opened with our much anticipated and delayed Centenary Opera Gala Concert. Hon. Secretary Gill Wesl-Eacott worked tirelessly in making arrangements for the Concert and, in particular, sending invitations to a number of VIP'S including our Member of Parliament, Chairman of the District Council, the Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath Town Mayors. Past President Howard Blake was also invited and enjoyed the day enomiously, so much so, that he graciously accepted our offer of the posrtion of Vice President, a role vacant since the death of Sir David Willcocks. The Centenary Opera Gala cOn￿rt was a tremendous sucoss and we were able lo post FULL HOUSE signs. The audience response was rapturous and V￿ were very fortunatè to have Zita Syme and Chame Ro¢hford as our soloi51s. Al the AGM, Gill West-Eacott stood down after seven years as Hon. Secretary We owe her great debt of gratitude, particularly for navigating through the lockdown and its aftermath. However, We were very fortunate that Haz81 Furber volunteered for the role and was able to shadow Gill during the last months of her tenure. We were also very fortunate that the members of the Committee all continued in their role$ giving much-needed stability and support to a new Hon. Secretary. We also held Open Evenings which had some success in recruiting new members which was very gratifying, and our numbers have also increased as a result of the return of a number of existing members who delayed their return post-pandemic. Our November concert was a mix of old and new with the Haydn Nelson Mass paired wrth Timothy Hamilton's Requiem and we were led brilliantly by Stephen Brown wrth Jeremy Weaver at the organ giving support to the superb players of the Rosenau Sinfonia. Our return to Sheffield Park Garden wa5 somewhat thwarted by heavy snow, as was the end-of- term carol party. However, the second perfomance at SPG went ahead as planned to great acclaim by a full house audience. Our final conc8rt of the year was Dvorak's Stabat Mater. a work not known to many in the choir bul one that revealed Dvorak's brilliance as a choral composer. Profound and ultimately joyful, it was much appreciated by a good audience. Our policy of pursuing advenlurous programming has raised our profile as a choir, though we have h8d to find ways of financing conGerts. As in Ihe previous year, we have had conslderable success in this area with awards from both Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath Town Councils and Ga￿l¢k Airport Communty Trust. together with a significant donation from the Adelphi Group Once again, we had a successful tabletop Sale and secured matched funding from Barclay's Bank, and not forgetting Helen Cooper's delicious mamalade. The choir is in good heart. We are superbly served by Stephen Brown and Jeremy Weaver, our finances are in good shape and ably Managed by Jez Jalie. Recruitment has been encouraging, though more members are required in all voice parts lo give us the ability lo take on Ihe largest works and be more financially self-sufficient. Our Youth Choral Scholarship has yet to yield fruit but we have a very attractive scheme that is promoted on our website and we trust we shall find suitable candidates in the forthcoming season. In conclusion. I must thank my fellow officers and committee for all the work they do in supporting the choir, as well as the many other members who give help in so many ways. John Welch Chairman 07 July 2023 Sussex Chorus Registered chanty lin England & Wales) no. 271678 st Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 May 2023 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no= 271678 Legal and Administrative Information Trustees Helen Cooper Hazel Furber Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Jeremy Jalie Richard Moon Neil Peskett Margaret Rea Paul Seddon David Tett8rsell John Welch Chaiman Christine Wilson Vice-chaimian Prlnclpal Office clo 5 St John's Avenue, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 8HJ Independent Examlnor Mr S. Brentnall Banker8 CAF Bank Lld. - 25 Kings Hill Avenue. Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ Sussex Chorus Registered charty (in England & Wales) no.. 271678 st Trustees Report for the Year ended 31 May 2023 The Trustees present their Report for the year ended 3161 May 2023. Object of the Charlty The Charity's object is to provide, improve. develop. and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all ils asp8Ct$. Rovlew of Actlvltles Sussex Chorus undertook three13) concerts during the financial year. In June 2022 we undertook a Centenary Opera Gala al St Andrew's. Burgess Hill, performing lo a sell-out crowd and several notable supporters including Howard Blake, who afterthe cOn￿rt agreed to become an Honorary Vice-President of Sussex Chorus. In November 2022 we perfoTmed Haydn's Nelson Mass and Timothy Hamitton's Requiem. again at St Andrew's, Burgess Hill. It was a great pleasure lo be joined by Timothy Hamilton in person who reported being very moved by the performance. In March 2023 w8 perfonned Dvorak's Slabat Mater, again to a full house Throughout the year we have been ioined by excellent orchestras and soloists recruited by our Music Director, Stephen Brown. Several of our members were also able to sing Christmas Carols at the National Trust's Sheffield Park Gardens in December 2022. The choir has continued to be supported through grants and donalions from local organisations totalling 45.800, including generous gifts from Adelphi Holdings, Burgess Hill Town Council, and Haywards Heath Town Council. Several Choir members also undertook specific fundraising initiatives to support the choir including making mamalade, selling cards. and organising a table-top sale. Tru3toes and Management During the year, the Charity was managed by Trustees listed below.. Helen Cooper Hazel Furber- Hon. Secretary Jeremy Jalie- Hon. Treasurer Richard Moon Appointed 79 S8pt8mber 2022 Appointed 19 S8Ptember 2022 Appoinled 19 September 2022 Appointed 19 September 2022 Appointed 19 September 2022 Appointed 19 Soptembgr 2022 Appoint8d 19 September 2022 Appointed 19 September 2022 Neil Peskett Margaret Rea Paul Seddon David Tettersell John Welch - Chairman Gill West-Eacott- Hon. Secretary Christine Wilson - Vice Chaiman Resigned 19 September 2022 Sussex Chows Registered charty {in England & Wales) no.. 271678 Publlc Benefit The Charily operates for the benefft of the public by the presentation of public choral concerts and recitals and by any other ways as far as the so￿ety thinks fit. Financial Review The financial activities are detailed in the Accounts on page 8 and 9. Receipts for the year wer8 £29,678 IFYE 2022. £25,465) and payments were £29.615 IFYE 2021.. £19,142) generating surplus of £63 IFYE 2022.. £6,323). The charrty's policy is to mainlain cash reserves of at least £10,000 to cover the cost of mounting al least one concert in the following season (normally a summ8r cOn￿rt in June). The choirfs funds at 31sI May 2023 amounted to £15,491 {FYE 2022.. £15,428). Overall this reflects an excellent year where Sussex Chorus increases its income and scale whilst managing lo maintain its expenditure in line wrth its growth. The choir's committee continually monitor5 the financial heatth of the choir and undertakes careful budgeting lo ensure the financial position remains Secure 11 is grateful to the Music Director who also supports endeavours to keep concert costs tightly controlled. John Welch- Chaimian For and on behalf of the Trustees of Sussex Chows 07 July 2023 Sussex Chorus Registered chaflty lin England & Wales) no. 271678 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES of SUSSEX CHORUS [Registered Charity No. 271678] I report on the accounts of Sussex Chorus forth8 year ended 31st May 2023 which are set out on pages 8 and 9. Respective responsibilltles of trustees and examlner The ¢harity's trustees arè responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charivs 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. Having satisfied mysew that the charity is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to'.- examine the accounls under section 145 ofthe 2011 Ad., lo follow th8 procedures laid down in the general Diredions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{51{bl of the 2011 Act., and lo state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Ba8ls of Independènt examlnerf8 Statèment My examination was carned out in accordance with the general Directions given by ihe Charity Commission. An examination includes a review ofthe accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounls, and sèeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence Ihal 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 examinerfs statement In connection with my éxamination, no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause lo believe that in, any matenal respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examination to which attention should b8 dra inor toen le a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Steve Brentnall FCIE 1 Meadow View Cottages Town Littleworth LEWES BN8 4TH Sussex Chorus Register&1 charty lin England & Wales) no.. 271678 Receipts and Payments Accounts For the year ended 31st May 2023 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Totsl 2023 Total 2022 INCOME RECEIPTS Receipts from Charitable Activities Concert receipts Subscriptions Income lax recovered under Gift AKI Fundraising income Music hire and sales Friends 8,602 11,802 2,229 S.532 731 675 8.602 11.802 2.229 5.532 731 675 4,701 9,723 2,243 7,103 968 723 Investment Income Bank interest 108 108 Total recelpt8 29.678 29,678 DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE Concert expenses Rehearsal fee$- accompanist and conduclor Rehearsal fees - room hire Publicity Musi¢ purchaselhire Administration and reknrement gifts Sundry costs 17,160 5,748 1,987 2,710 316 697 453 17,160 5,748 1,987 2,710 316 697 453 17,9561 14,2701 11,5901 13,2681 421 15241 19601 OTHER EXPENDITURE Making music subscription and other sub#criplion3 J321 Total payment• 29.615 NET RECEIPTSIIPAYMENTSI FOR THE YEAR 63 63 Bank balances at 14t June 15.428 9,105 Bank balances at 31$1 May 15,428 Sussex Chorus Registered ehaTtty (in England & Wales} no. 271678 Statement of Assets and Liabilities At 31" May 2023 Unrestricted Restricted funds nds Total 2023 Total 2022 MONETARY ASSETS 88nk balances.. CAF Cash account CAF Gold account 1,000 14,491 1,000 14,491 1,000 14,428 Bank balancgs 15,491 15,491 15,428 Notes to the Financial Statements 1. The financial statements have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis in accordance with sedion 133 ofthe Charrtles Act 2011. 2. There are no staff employed by Sussex Chorus. 3. Restricted Funds - Sussex Chorus received no restricted donations or held any restrided funds in FYE 3141 May 23 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: John Welch- Chalmian For and on behalf of the Trustees of Sussex Chorus 07 July 2023