Annual Reports & Accounts
For the year ended 31[st] May 2024
Sussex Chorus
Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] May 2024
Contents:
| Director of Music’s Report | 2 |
|---|---|
| Chairman’s Report | 3 |
| Legal and Administrative Information | 4 |
| Report of the Trustees | 5 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 8 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 9 |
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Sussex Chorus
Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678
Director of Music’s Reports
I am delighted with the choir’s continued journey towards better and more glorious music-making.
Our first concert was the Verdi Requiem with the Sussex Symphony. I was very proud of the glorious sound of the chorus and the enormous contribution that Sussex chorus made. From the front I could hear all the detail we worked on and the result was thrilling.
Then we turned to the enormous task of performing Monteverdi’s magnificent Vespers of 1610 . I knew that it would be a challenge and was expecting to have to coax and persuade every member of the choir to get on board with the complexity of the work. The performance was even better than I had come to expect and was a musical highlight of my year. The orchestra and soloists were excellent, and they were full of praise for the choir’s committed and stylistic singing.
After our successful return to Sheffield Park for Christmas we turned to the Spring concert of Bizet and Puccini. I felt like the experience of the Verdi and the Monteverdi had prepared us well to find comfort in these beautiful works right away. The Puccini especially was magnificent and the appreciative audience (and indeed the excellent review) reflected the wonderful work we have done this year.
We look on to Messiah in the autumn and the exciting plans I have for 2025.
Well done all!
Stephen Anthony Brown Director of Music 08 July 2024
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Sussex Chorus
Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678
Chairman’s Report
The year kicked off with a feast of Mozart – his Great Mass in C minor with his Clarinet concerto A major and the ever popular Laudate Dominum on a hot summers evening in June.
Before the Concert the Choir was photographed by Simone Canetty-Clarke. Her mother Janet had died on 2 May. The Choir was privileged to have had Janet as its Musical Director for so many years. Simone continues with the connection as an Honorary friend.
In September 2023 we were delighted to welcome Lizzie Flood who had been awarded our first youth choral scholarship. I was very fortunate to attend a Cuckfield Schools Concert in April of this year where she performed two pieces to a very high standard.
At the beginning of the season Diana Williams retired as membership secretary. We are most grateful to her for the many years she held that post. Jackie Bishop has kindly taken on that role.
In November the Choir took part in a sell out performance of the Verdi Requiem with Mark Andrew James – Sussex Symphony Orchestra and Brighton Orpheus Choir, and was enjoyed by us all. Particular delight was a share of the profit that ensued – a very rare occurrence.
December saw the Choir perform Carols to a full house at Sheffield Park Gardens on successive days. The following weekend a Carol Concert was held at St Andrews Church, Burgess Hill. An early start of 6.30pm was an experiment to see whether younger families could be attracted to attend. There was a reasonable attendance.
The New Year saw the start of a challenge for the Choir – Monteverdi Vespers 1610. Workshop and additional rehearsals were held to assist with the learning of these complex works. The performance turned out thankfully to be a great success with the period instruments of the Consort Orchestra and the soloists who were specialists in the Vespers.
I would like to thank my fellow officers and the committee most sincerely for all they do to ensure the smooth running of the Choir. For many others in the Choir who carry out all sorts of duties many thanks
The Choir’s financial position at the end of the financial year was good. There were unrestricted funds of £20,864. Thanks are due to generous continued support of grants, donations from diverse organisations/individuals. They are fully disclosed in the financial review.
We are truly grateful to Stephen Brown and Jeremy Weaver for their dedication, skill and hard work to make our lives so enjoyable as members of the Choir and to ensure we perform to a high standard.
We are going from strength to strength. We need to spread the word to encourage new members. We will be showcasing ourselves when we invite local choirs to take part in the Messiah. Hopefully we will be able to persuade a number of individuals to stay permanently.
Andrew Fox
Chairman 08 July 2024
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Sussex Chorus
Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678
Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] May 2024
Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678
Legal and Administrative Information
Trustees
Wendy Barnaby Helen Cooper Andrew Fox Hazel Furber Jeremy Jalie
Chairman Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer
Richard Moon
Neil Peskett
Margaret Rea Paul Seddon David Tettersell Christine Wilson Vice-Chairman
Principal Office
c/o 5 St John’s Avenue, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 8HJ
Independent Examiner
Mr S. Brentnall
Bankers
CAF Bank Ltd - 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ
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Sussex Chorus
Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678
Trustees Report for the Year ended 31[st] May 2024
The Trustees present their Report for the year ended 31[st] May 2024.
Object of the Charity
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 its aspects.
Review of Activities
Sussex Chorus produced three (3) concerts of its own and took part in a joint production of Verdi’s Requiem with Sussex Symphony Orchestra and two Christmas Carol concerts organised by the National Trust during FYE 2024. In June 2023 we undertook a concert of music by Mozart that culminated in the Great Mass in C minor at St Andrew’s, Burgess Hill. We were delighted to be joined by clarinettist Peter Cigleris who performed Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major on a period basset clarinet, and the concert was rounded off with a performance of Laudate Dominum with soloist Isla MacEwan. In November we had the opportunity to sing Verdi’s Requiem with Sussex Symphony Orchestra (SSO). Our Musical Director, Stephen Brown, sang the energetic tenor solo and the concert was sold out on the night and a rip-roaring success – the near thirtyseconds of silence at the end of the ‘Libera Me’ a testimony to the hard work put in by everyone involved. It even resulted in a donation of £300 from SSO as a share of the surplus! We had a busy December, performing our own concert of Christmas music at St Andrew’s on 16 December and two concerts at Sheffield Park Garden on 9 and 10 December. In March 2024 we tackled one our most ambitious works of the last few years by taking on Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 . We were very lucky to be joined by an orchestra of period instruments and four soloists who were Monteverdi specialists (Holly Teague, Anna Beard Fernández, Daniel Joy, and Chris Lemmings), making for a very special night for the chorus and our audience. The choir has continued to be supported through grants and donations from local organisations totalling £8,881, including generous gifts from the Stephen Cockburn Charitable Trust, Adelphi Holdings, Haywards Heath Town Council, Gatwick Airport Community Trust, Burgess Hill Town Council, the Tesco Community Foundation, the Lucy Tate Trust, Henhurst Charitable Trust, and Barclays PLC.
Trustees and Management
During the year, the Charity was managed by the Trustees listed below:
| Wendy Barnaby | Appointed 18 September 2023 |
|---|---|
| Helen Cooper | |
| Andrew Fox – Chairman (from 18 September 2023) | Appointed 18 September 2023 |
| Hazel Furber – Hon. Secretary | |
| Jeremy Jalie – Hon. Treasurer | |
| Richard Moon | |
| Neil Peskett | |
| Margaret Rea | |
| Paul Seddon | |
| David Tettersell | |
| John Welch – Chairman (until 18 September 2023) | Resigned 18 September 2023 |
| Christine Wilson – Vice Chairman |
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Sussex Chorus
Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678
Public Benefit
The Charity operates for the benefit of the public by the presentation of public choral concerts and recitals and by any other ways as far as the Society thinks fit.
Financial Review
The financial activities are detailed in the Accounts on page 8 and 9. Receipts for the year were £35,230 (FYE 2023: £29,678) and payments were £29,857 (FYE 2023: £29,615) generating a surplus of £5,373 (FYE 2023: 63). The choir’s funds at 31[st] May 2024 amounted to £20,864 (FYE 2023: £15,491). The charity’s policy is to maintain cash reserves of at least £10,000 to cover the cost of mounting at least one concert in the following season (normally a summer concert in June). However, we are increasingly relying on fundraising and grant income to support the ambitious programme we undertake and therefore holding a larger reserve is sensible as it protects us from a fluctuations in this income source. We are extremely grateful to several members who undertake fundraising and grant applications on our behalf to sustain this vital income stream, and the joint concert with Sussex Symphony Orchestra was also extremely helpful as we did not bear any costs. Overall, the results reflect an excellent year where Sussex Chorus increased its income whilst maintaining its expenditure. The choir’s committee continually monitors the financial health of the choir and undertakes careful budgeting to ensure the financial position remains secure. It is grateful to the Music Director who also supports endeavours to keep concert costs tightly controlled.
…………………………………………………………………
Andrew Fox – Chairman
For and on behalf of the Trustees of Sussex Chorus 08 July 2024
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Sussex Chorus
Registered charity (in 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 for the year ended 31[st] May 2024 which are set out on pages 8 and 9.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
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.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:-
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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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
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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 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. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any 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 examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
16 July 2024
……………………………………………
Steve Brentnall 1 Meadow View Cottages Town Littleworth LEWES BN8 4TH
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Sussex Chorus
Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678
Receipts and Payments Accounts
For the year ended 31[st] May 2024
| INCOME RECEIPTS Receipts from Charitable Activities Concert receipts Subscriptions Income tax recovered under Gift Aid Fundraising income Music hire and sales Friends Investment Income Bank interest Total receipts DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE Concert expenses Rehearsal fees – accompanist and conductor Rehearsal fees – room hire Publicity Music purchase/hire Administration and retirement gifts Sundry costs OTHER EXPENDITURE Making music subscription and other subscriptions Total payments NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) FOR THE YEAR Bank balances at 1stJune Bank balances at 31st May |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 £ £ £ £ 8,160 - 8,160 8,602 12,594 - 12,594 11,802 2,925 - 2,925 2,229 10,135 - 10,135 5,532 426 - 426 731 635 - 635 675 355 - 355 108 35,230 35,230 29,678 15,715 - 15,715 17,160 7,152 - 7,152 5,748 2,138 - 2,138 1,987 2,436 - 2,436 2,710 283 - 283 316 524 - 524 697 1,028 - 1,028 453 581 - 581 544 29,857 29,857 29,615 5,373 63 15,491 15,428 20,864 15,491 |
|---|---|
| 35,230 | |
| 15,715 - 7,152 - 2,138 - 2,436 - 283 - 524 - 1,028 - 581 - |
|
| 29,857 | |
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Sussex Chorus
Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
At 31[st] May 2024
| MONETARY ASSETS Bank balances: CAF Cash account CAF Gold account Bank balances |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 £ £ £ £ 1,000 - 1,000 1,000 19,864 - 19,864 14,491 20,864 - 20,864 15,491 |
|---|---|
| 20,864 - |
Notes to the Financial Statements
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The financial statements have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis in accordance with section 133 of the Charities Act 2011.
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There are no staff employed by Sussex Chorus.
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Restricted Funds – Sussex Chorus received no restricted donations or held any restricted funds in FYE 31[st] May 24.
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
…………………………………………………………………
Andrew Fox – Chairman
For and on behalf of the Trustees of Sussex Chorus 08 July 2024
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