## **Ipswich Choral Society** 

Trustees’ Annual Report 2023-24 

Charity registered number: 278866 

Registered address: 39 Sidegate Avenue Ipswich IP4 4JH Trustees Philip Powditch Chair Michael Robertson Vice chair Kit Handscombe Secretary (up to 9/5/2023) Pamela Sutton Secretary (from 9/5/2023) Treasurer Linda Scott Fenella Andrews Graham Popple Kate Dixon Maureen Fell Joanne Rogers James Skellorn Stephen Hubbard (up to 9/5/2023) Alan Way (from 9/5/2023) Structure The Society is managed by a committee which is elected annually by the members at the AGM. The duties of the committee include: Appointment of the Music Director Planning of rehearsals and concerts Setting subscriptions 

## **Activities and Objectives** 

The purposes of Ipswich Choral Society are to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects through the presentation and/or performance of concerts and associated activities, subject to any legal restrictions that from time to time may be in force. 

## **Public benefit** 

In pursuing our aims for public benefit, the choir believes it impacts on people's lives in two ways. First, for participants (young and old), we involve people in a creative, enjoyable and fulfilling educational activity, providing them with an opportunity to develop vocal technique and musical repertoire. 

Second, for audiences, we present exciting, innovative and high-quality performances which should always be a pleasurable cultural experience but will sometimes challenge them and educate them by extending their musical knowledge. 

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In addition to the public educational benefits to participants and audiences mentioned above, the trustees are conscious that its activities must be affordable, so both membership subscriptions and audience ticket prices are regularly reviewed so as to be sustainable. Any member with financial difficulties can privately discuss a special reduced subscription arrangement with the Treasurer. 

## **Achievements and performance** 

Two main public concerts were performed during 2023/24: 

May 2023 Celebrating Britten, a concert featuring music by Benjamin Britten at St Mary le Tower Church, Ipswich, offering choir members the opportunity to understand how a past president of the society composed his music, and the audience a chance to hear music that is not frequently performed. 

December 2023 Christmas Concert, a performance of festive music at Ipswich Corn Exchange. Two local schools and a brass band also performed in the concert giving the school children and musicians the opportunity to work with the choir outside a classroom environment and perform in front of a large audience. 

In June 2023 the choir gave a smaller lunchtime concert as part of the Ipswich Arts Association regular series of events.  Audience members can attend the concerts free of charge and get to speak with the conductor and choir members after the performance to learn more about choral singing and the music performed. 

The choir sang during the laying of wreaths at the civic service of remembrance organised by Ipswich Borough Council and the Royal British Legion. 

The choir also sang Christmas carols at two local events and performed at Ipswich Music Day 

## **Financial review** 

Overall income reduced to £28,722 compared to £31,916 the previous year. This was due to a large fall in the takings from concerts (£4,581 compared with £9,600); ticket sales included £1,628 for the Snape concert held after the end of the year and £330 from the concert at Ely held before the start of the year; however two thirds of the income (£3,565) from the Christmas 2023 concert was not received until after the end of the accounting year. 

Thanks to a growth in membership, subscription income (including Gift Aid) increased from £15,301 to £18,104. Donations also increased from £132 to £1,340; however overall fund raising reduced from £4,276 to £3,791, of which £866 was for other charities. 

Total expenses reduced very significantly from £31,503 to £19,426. This was driven by a large reduction in concert expenses, from £18,651 to £2,940. As with the income, 80% of the costs (£1,874) of the Christmas 2023 concert were not invoiced until after the end of the year; however the figures do include £553 from the Ely concert in January 2023. 

Operating expenses, covering the costs of regular rehearsals, increased from £11,418 to £12,907, and administration expenses from £972 to £1,288. The total also included £940 paid in deposits for the 200[th] Anniversary dinner being held in September 2024. 

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## 



IPSWICH CHORAL SOCIETY
Statemont of financial affalts for year ending 29th Fèbruary 2024
2022Q3
RECEIPTS
PAYIAEMTS
202>24
12,570.QO meMt￿
2.680.76 G6ft aid
9.599.61 TK*et sths
175.00 Prow*7Th sth5
125.00 Misc $8188
395.00 P*tIcyb￿
14.914.rA)
2.579.7t
4,580ffj7
8,524.85 trlal twe
3,630.48
8,395.50
1,992.
277.50
485.IXI
605.tKI
70.85
2.421.IXI
717.70 M
9.179.iYI
59220 Prirth¥J
39.32 Perknnw¥
100.rrtl
1.515.W cry)￿rt irK¢
w0￿$hoP
3.14B.29 Furxl taNr¥J
12Th).
311.Lh)
366.07
636.LXJ
3.107.
491.IYJ F
132.IY) Gffts aThJ dr*utstYIS
140.C
27.35
326.61
476.87 OffK* ovwh*
572.70
13557
16520
1,366.89 Churty IwF
31.91&32 folal op1￿1n9 rnc•lpts
IQ72107
31Att76 Totsl op•rndtw payth￿
18,485.14
J1,91&32 T¢*•1 r•c•lWI
72107
19N2&84
413.56 oth In ythr
9,2￿.23
31,91&32 R•¢W8 ph* IoB•••
72107
•72107
sTATEl￿T OF ASSEfs & UAB
4.612.04
.026.44
125.64
Cwrent acco￿1
18.550.70
$5.353.05
156.50
Cth In
647￿12
T{060.25
64,￿.
413.
64.764.12
9.2*.23
C4). gwn for ts ye
c*. ftrihEyear
74060.35
L MOW (r￿9￿￿)
2 Se[lem￿r 2024
¥4ll

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trustees
Ipswich Choral Society
On accounts for tho year
ended
29th February 2024
Charity no
lif any)
278866
Set out on pages
I report to the trustees on my examinalion of the accounts of the above
charity ("the Trust.) for the year ended 2q10212024
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011
(°the Act").
Respon$lbllltle$ and
basis of report
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I
have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent
examiner'8 Statement
come excee
amq
leto l J if not applicable.
I have completed my examination. l Confirm that no material matters have
Come to my attention in connection wrth the examination (other than that
disGlosed below ') vthich gives me Cause to believe that in, any material
respect."
the accounting ￿CordS were not kept in accordance with section 130
of the Charrties Act.. or
the accounts did not accord wrth the accounting records,. or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements
conGemin9 the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requiremenl
that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter
considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no Gon￿mS and have come across no other matters in connection
th the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in
order to enable a propgr understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Please delete the wonls in the brackets rf they do not apply.
Signed:
Date:
nd
2 May 2024
Name:
lan Kennedy
Relevant professional
qualificationls) or body
IER
Oct 2018

(if any):
Address:
38 Prince of Wales Rd. Great Totham
MALDON
Essex. Cmg 8PX
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete If the exaniiner needs to highlight material matleis of concern
(see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and
guidance for examiners).
Glve here brief details of
any items that the
examiner wishes to
disclose.
IER
Oct 2018