GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY Registered Charity No. 280533 ACCOUNT5 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATJVE INFORMATION - YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 Trustees Derek Lake Katherine Thompson Sarah Winterbotham Mike Richmond Geoffrey Barham Robert Bruce Sara Gee Sara Davies Lesley Pratt Natalie Thurlev Keith Torbet Marissa Truglio Charlotte Beck Philip Tudor Isobel Venner Marilyn Vincent Catherine Wand5 Chairman Secretary Treasurer I￿$18ned 23 April 20231 Treasurer Concert Venue Manager Assistant Treasurer Iresigned 31 December 20231 Ssistant T￿as￿rer Ico-opted 18 May 20231 Box Office Manager Rehearsal Secretary IT Manager Concert Manager Publicity Manager {re5igned 18 May 20231 Publicity Manager Icwpted 18 May 20231 brarian Programme Editor Patrons SeC￿tary Membership Secretary Principal OffitÈ ¢/0 K Thompson 14 Orchard Road Guildford Bankers Barclays Bank pl Leicester LE87 2BB Surrey GU2 7QY Webslte www.guildfordchoral.org Ir*endent Examiner Ramani Langley. MA GUILDFORO CHORAL SOCIEri TRUSTEES. REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 The trustees present the annual report and accounts of Guildford Choral Society for the year ended 31 July 2023. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 8 and comply with the charity's constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to chariDes preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014. Constitution and objects Guildford Choral Society I'the Society") was founded in 1839 and is constituted under its Constitution and Rules las amended from time to timel and is a registered charity no. 280533. The Constitution can be amended by a Special General meekn.ng of the membets of the Society. The objects of the Society have continued to be to promote the advancement and improvement of general education in relation to all aspects of the art of choral music and the development of the public appreciation of such art. principalEy by the parkncipation of Its member5 in the perfomiance of choral concerts. The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Organlsation The trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page l. Trustees a elected for the following year at each Annual General Meeting of members of the Society. All trustees are committee members, and the committee meets at least ￿lce a year. The income and expenditure relating to the promotion of concerts and to other acknvities is set out on page 6. Financial and operating review A full season of four concerts was performed. Concert income totslled £28,715 and concert expenses were £42,544. In October 2022 we gave the first performance of a new work Commissioned on our behalf by the Friends of Guildford Choral Sotiety- Officium Lusorum by Owain Park. The concert opened with Vaughan Williams, Let All the World in Every ComerSing. and concluded with Cad Orff's Cum?ina Burono. The ragazzi chorus for Cormino Burana was provided by Farnham Youth Choir. Soloists were Josephine Goddard, Samuel jenkins and Gareth Brynmor John, with Philip ScrNen and Sue Graham Smith on piano and the Percussion Ensemble of London. The concert was attended by Owain Parl who also joir)ed us for two of our rehear$31s. In December 2022 we gave a carol concert in G Live. We were joined by Southem Pro Musica brass and percussion, the Ash Manor School Concert Choir directed by Marissa Truglio lone of our members), and with Timothy Ravalde on piano and organ. In March 2023 we gave our first cOn￿rt in Guildford Baptist Church. The programme included George Shearing's Shokespeare Songs and Will Todd's Moss in Blue. We were accompanied by Will Todd with his jazz ensemble, who a150 played a jazz set, and soprano soloist Joanna L'Estrange. Following the concert we took a collethon for the Rainbow Trust, raising some £1500. GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY Our final concert of the year took place in Holy Trinwty Church and included Haydn's Little Orgon Moss, Dyson's Hierusolem and Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Moss. We were joined by Southern Pro Muslca With Philip Scriven on organ and soprano soloist Chadotte Kennedy. Non-concert income including member subscriptions totalled £33.409 and non-concert costs including rehearsal tosts totalled £23,676. resulting in a loss for the year of £4,096. We continued to receive valued financial support from our Patrons. In addition, one-off donations were received from several members of the Society. The main fundraising activty this year was a Singing Day on Bernstein's Chichester Psolms and Rutter's Requiem. held in April 2023. The Society continues to enjoy support trom a separate chartty. The Friends of Guildford Choral Society, who met the cost of the new commission from Owain Park. Reserves policy It is the policy of the Sotiety to maintain unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the chartty (excluding listed investments), at a level which equates with approximately 12 months, net expenditure. In this context, net expenditure means budgeted annual rehearsal costs and administrative expenses, together with anticipated finance required for the concerts to which the Society is committed for the coming year. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support cost5 and to be able to commit to the planned programme of concert5 for the next 2- 3 years. Unrestricted reserves at 31 July 2023 totalled £105.235. The trustees consider that reserves of £37,505 are required for the coming year. Rlsk management The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the Soeiety faces and are satisfied that systems have been established to add￿SS the identr.fied risks. Public benefft The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in deciding what activits.es the charity should undertake. As confirmed by the information contained in this report. the maintenance of a coJnprehensive website and in other way5. the trustees actively seek to demonstrate, on continuing basis. that the aims of the tharity are carried out for the public benefit. Trustees, responsibilitles in relatlon to the accounts Law applicable to charities in England and Wale5 require5 the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of rts financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these accounts. the trustees are required to= select Sultable accounting policies and then apply them consistently: make judgements and esb'mates that are reawnable and prudent,- - state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to p￿surne that the Society will continue in business. GUILDFORO CHORAL socIErY The trustees are responsible for keeping proper atcounting records. which disclose with reasonable accuracv at any time the financial position of the Society, which enable the trustees to astertain the financial position of the Society and to en$￿￿ that the a¢counts comply with the charities legislatr"on. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees declare that they have approved the twstees. report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Derek Lake Chairman Date.. ## **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** Registered Charity No. 280533 ## **ACCOUNTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION - YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023** **Trustees** Derek Lake Chairman Katherine Thompson Secretary Sarah Winterbotham Treasurer (resigned 23 April 2023) Mike Richmond Treasurer Geoffrey Barham Concert Venue Manager Robert Bruce Assistant Treasurer (resigned 31 December 2023) Sara Gee Assistant Treasurer (co-opted 18 May 2023) Sara Davies Box Office Manager Lesley Pratt Rehearsal Secretary Natalie Thurley IT Manager Keith Torbet Concert Manager Marissa Truglio Publicity Manager (resigned 18 May 2023) Charlotte Beck Publicity Manager (co-opted 18 May 2023) Philip Tudor Librarian Isobel Venner Programme Editor Marilyn Vincent Patrons Secretary Catherine Wands Membership Secretary **Principal Office Bankers** c/o K Thompson Barclays Bank plc 14 Orchard Road Leicester Guildford LE87 2BB Surrey GU2 7QY **Website Independent Examiner** www.guildfordchoral.org Ramani Langley, MA - 1 - **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023** The trustees present the annual report and accounts of Guildford Choral Society for the year ended 31 July 2023. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 8 and comply with the charity's constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014. ## **Constitution and objects** Guildford Choral Society ("the Society") was founded in 1839 and is constituted under its Constitution and Rules (as amended from time to time) and is a registered charity no. 280533. The Constitution can be amended by a Special General Meeting of the members of the Society. The objects of the Society have continued to be to promote the advancement and improvement of general education in relation to all aspects of the art of choral music and the development of the public appreciation of such art, principally by the participation of its members in the performance of choral concerts. The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. ## **Organisation** The trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 1. Trustees are elected for the following year at each Annual General Meeting of members of the Society. All trustees are committee members, and the committee meets at least twice a year. The income and expenditure relating to the promotion of concerts and to other activities is set out on page 6. ## **Financial and operating review** A full season of four concerts was performed. Concert income totalled £28,715 and concert expenses were £42,544. In October 2022 we gave the first performance of a new work commissioned on our behalf by the Friends of Guildford Choral Society – _Officium Lusorum_ by Owain Park. The concert opened with Vaughan Williams’ _Let All the World in Every Corner Sing_ , and concluded with Carl Orff’s _Carmina Burana_ . The ragazzi chorus for _Carmina Burana_ was provided by Farnham Youth Choir. Soloists were Josephine Goddard, Samuel Jenkins and Gareth Brynmor John, with Philip Scriven and Sue Graham Smith on piano and the Percussion Ensemble of London. The concert was attended by Owain Park, who also joined us for two of our rehearsals. In December 2022 we gave a carol concert in G Live. We were joined by Southern Pro Musica brass and percussion, the Ash Manor School Concert Choir directed by Marissa Truglio (one of our members), and with Timothy Ravalde on piano and organ. In March 2023 we gave our first concert in Guildford Baptist Church. The programme included George Shearing’s _Shakespeare Songs_ and Will Todd’s _Mass in Blue_ . We were accompanied by Will Todd with his jazz ensemble, who also played a jazz set, and soprano soloist Joanna L’Estrange. Following the concert we took a collection for the Rainbow Trust, raising some £1500. - 2 - **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** Our final concert of the year took place in Holy Trinity Church and included Haydn’s _Little Organ Mass_ , Dyson’s _Hierusalem_ and Ola Gjeilo’s _Sunrise Mass_ . We were joined by Southern Pro Musica with Philip Scriven on organ and soprano soloist Charlotte Kennedy. Non-concert income including member subscriptions totalled £33,409 and non-concert costs including rehearsal costs totalled £23,676, resulting in a loss for the year of £4,096. We continued to receive valued financial support from our Patrons. In addition, one-off donations were received from several members of the Society. The main fundraising activity this year was a Singing Day on Bernstein’s _Chichester Psalms_ and Rutter’s _Requie_ m, held in April 2023. The Society continues to enjoy support from a separate charity, The Friends of Guildford Choral Society, who met the cost of the new commission from Owain Park. ## **Reserves policy** It is the policy of the Society to maintain unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the charity (excluding listed investments), at a level which equates with approximately 12 months' net expenditure. In this context, net expenditure means budgeted annual rehearsal costs and administrative expenses, together with anticipated finance required for the concerts to which the Society is committed for the coming year. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs and to be able to commit to the planned programme of concerts for the next 2 - 3 years. Unrestricted reserves at 31 July 2023 totalled £105,235. The trustees consider that reserves of £37,505 are required for the coming year. ## **Risk management** The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the Society faces and are satisfied that systems have been established to address the identified risks. ## **Public benefit** The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. As confirmed by the information contained in this report, the maintenance of a comprehensive website and in other ways, the trustees actively seek to demonstrate, on a continuing basis, that the aims of the charity are carried out for the public benefit. ## **Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the accounts** Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; - prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Society will continue in business. - 3 - **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Society, which enable the trustees to ascertain the financial position of the Society and to ensure that the accounts comply with the charities legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees …………………………………………………… Derek Lake Chairman Date: ………………………………………... - 4 - **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** _To follow_ - 5 - ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 July 2023** All the Society's resources and activities are considered to be associated with unrestricted funds with the exception of £1,600 remaining from a grant of £2,050 received in 2021 for vocal coaching and shown separately above. - 6 - **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** ## **BALANCE SHEET as at 31 July 2023** ## **Basis of preparation** These accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention on an accruals basis and are based on the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 insofar as it applies to the accounts of unincorporated charities with up to £250,000 annual income, and the Charities Act 2011. Signed on behalf of the trustees …………………………………………………… …………………………………………………… Mike Richmond Derek Lake Treasurer Chairman Date: ………………………………………... Date: ………………………………………... - 7 - **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 July 2023** ## **1. Basis of preparation** ## **Basis of accounting** These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Charities Act 2011. ## **Going concern** The trustees have no reason to consider that the Society is not a going concern. ## **2. Accounting policies** ## **Income** Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when: - we become entitled to the resources; - it is more likely than not that we will receive the resources; and - the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Incoming resources are accounted for on an accruals basis and consist of the total income receivable during the year. This comprises concert income, sponsorship and grants, fundraising, member subscriptions, donations received from patrons and others, and investment income receivable, together with gift aid tax recoveries. ## **Expenditure & liabilities** Expenditure is included on an accruals basis. ## **3. Net movement in funds** Unrestricted funds are those accumulated surpluses and deficits which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the Society's general charitable objectives (and may include designated funds). Restricted funds are those subject to specific trusts, to be directed to a specified purpose, in some cases with a requirement for the assets to be invested and retained for actual use (an endowment fund) without being expended. - 8 - **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY** **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 July 2023** ## **4. Related party transactions** ## **Remuneration and benefits** None of the trustees of the Society was paid any remuneration or received any other benefits during the year. No remuneration has been paid to the independent examiner. ## **Trustee expenses** Trustees are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses where the trustee acts as an agent for the Society. No trustee has claimed for travel, subsistence or similar costs incurred in carrying out their duties. ## **Related parties** The Society purchases flower bouquets from Outside In, a floral decorating business based in Milford, Surrey which is owned by one of the trustees. Purchases during the year totalled £388 (2022: £380) and related to flowers presented to concert soloists and conductors. - 9 - **GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 July 2023** ## **5. Debtors, prepayments and accrued income** ## **6. Accruals and deferred income** - 10 - **Ramani Langley 12 Wycombe St London SE14 6FF 3.8.24** ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Guildford Choral Society** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Guildford Choral Society (the Society) for the 12 months ended 31 July 2023. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees of the Society you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). Independent Examiner’s Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Society as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as a part of an independent examination I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report. Ramani Langley, MA