## CSO AGM 2025 Chair’s Report 

## Introduction 

This has been my first year as Chair of the City of Southampton Orchestra, and I want to begin by saying how much of a privilege it has been to serve in this role. My focus this year has been on getting to know the running of the orchestra behind the scenes and understanding the many tasks that keep us moving, from programming and finances to communications, volunteer coordination, and audience development. 

It has been a year of listening, learning, and laying foundations. I have seen first-hand the dedication of our committee, section leaders, and volunteers, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received. 

## Thanks and Acknowledgements 

I want to thank everyone who has contributed this year – committee members, section leaders, and those who have volunteered extra time for moving instruments, stewarding etc. Special thanks go to Wayne Landen, who is stepping down as Marketing and Publicity Co-ordinator. 

## Concerts and Rehearsals 

We have enjoyed a rich and ambitious programme across our venues: 

- Thornden Hall, November 2024 – Mel Bonis (Ophelia and Cleopatra), Bernstein (West Side Story Symphonic Dances), Prokofiev (Romeo and Juliet). A bold and colourful start to the season. 

- Family Concert, January 2025, Central Hall – A “Heroes and Villains” theme, including Bernard Hughes’ The Knight Who Took All Day, alongside music from Frozen, Star Wars, and Spiderman. A long-standing tradition for the orchestra and always a pleasure to work with Phil Cheeseman. I would welcome ideas for how to invigorate this format and lift audience numbers. 

- Turner Sims, March 2025 – Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony, Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Winds with David Palmer, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2, conducted by Joe Davies. A bold programme, though again, unfortunately not matched by audience numbers. 

- Romsey Abbey, June 2025 – Emilie Mayer’s Faust Overture, Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Hannah Arnold, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. A demanding programme, but one that showed the orchestra’s confidence and ambition. 



- Music in the City, September 2025, St Michael’s Church – Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, Beethoven’s Romance No. 2, Haydn’s Symphony No. 101 “The Clock”, and Fauré’s Requiem, in collaboration with Clara Voces Chamber Choir. A packed audience and a reminder of how well CSO adapts to chamber-scale and collaborative performance. 

These concerts have reaffirmed our reputation as one of the leading amateur orchestras in the region, with a broad repertoire and appeal. 

## Finances 

The Treasurer’s Report highlights both successes and challenges. On a positive note, our non-concert income and costs saw a small addition to the reserves of £242, which shows that our subscription rate was appropriate, and the proposed increase of £10 per player will allow the budget to absorb further inflationary costs. I know first-hand that the programming committee has also worked hard to keep concert expenses down in a time of inflationary pressures. 

The main challenge we are facing is the dip in concert income, which fell on a per concert basis by £631. 

Per concert breakdown – comparing 23/24 to 24/25* 

||24/25 – 4 concerts|23/24 – 5 concerts|
|---|---|---|
|Concert income|3585|3865|
|Concert expenses|3969|3618|
|Surplus (Deficit)|(384)|247|



*MitC excluded 

When comparing the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons (excluding Music in the City), we can see the importance of maintaining strong audience numbers. In 2023/24, across five concerts, we achieved a modest surplus of £247, while in 2024/25, with four concerts, we recorded a small deficit of £384. Concert income fell slightly (£3,585 vs £3,865), while expenses rose (£3,969 vs £3,618). 

At our current ticket price of £18, we needed to sell around 20 more tickets per concert to break even, or 32 more tickets per concert to enjoy the same small surplus we achieved in 23/24. 

I recognise that this is not easy in the current climate, with many audience members themselves feeling the financial pressures of rising costs. That makes it all the more important for us to add value to the audience experience, whether through imaginative programming, engaging soloists, family-friendly events, or opportunities to connect with the orchestra. By making each concert feel special and memorable, we can encourage audiences to see CSO performances as experiences worth prioritising, even in challenging times. 

## Future Goals 

Looking forward, my priorities as Chair are clear: 



- Revising our Marketing Plan in order to widen our audience base and improve ticket sales through clearer branding, stronger social media presence, and more proactive promotion of concerts. 

- Increasing Volunteer Involvement – The orchestra depends on the contributions of its members. I am asking everyone to consider how they might help beyond playing. Even small contributions make a big difference. 

- Seeking Player Feedback More Regularly – We are introducing short online surveys to capture members’ views on programming, rehearsal experience, and organisational priorities. This will help the committee respond more effectively to your needs. 

One of the greatest strengths of the CSO is the energy and commitment of its players, both on stage and behind the scenes. As we look ahead, I would encourage everyone to think about how we can each contribute a little more to the life of the orchestra — whether that’s helping to promote concerts, welcoming new members, sharing ideas through our surveys, or simply spreading the word among friends and family. Every small act of engagement makes a big difference: it builds our audiences, strengthens our community, and ensures that the CSO continues to flourish. Together, we can create not only memorable performances but also a vibrant and supportive environment that reflects the very best of what a community orchestra can be. 


## Bernie’s View 

Bernie would like the final word: 

"A symphony is like life – sometimes stormy, sometimes calm, but always worth playing through." 

Bree Enemark CSO Chair 



of Southam
ton Orchestra
for the 12 Months Ended 31 Jul 2025
23
Varlance
Concert Income
14.343
19,327
{4.9841
Concert Costs
15,878
18,094
{2.2161
-1.535
1.233
(2.768}
Non-concert Incnme
14.899
16,240
{1.341)
Non-concert Costs
14,657
13.131
1.526
242
3.109
{2.867}
TOTAL
-1.293
4.342
15,635)
SURPLUS FUNDS AT YEAR END
32,819
34.112
11.293)

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34.112
32*19
29.770
112
31,872
11.9351
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Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts
I report to the Trustees of the City of Southampion Orchestra on the accoijnts for the twelve months
ended 31 July 2025 sei oui on the preceding pages.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Exa￿l￿r,$
The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this yeat (under section 43(2) of the Charities
Act 1993 (the Act) and that an independent eknminarion is needed.
It is my responsibility to..
Examine the accounts (under Section 43 of the Act)-
To follow Ihe procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
Commission {under section 43{7)Ib) of the Aci). and
To state whether particular mauers have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Direction5 given by the Chariry
Commissioners. An exatnination include5 a review of the accounting records kept by the Chariry
and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes cottsideration of any
unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning
any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be
required in an audit and consequendy I do nor express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In the course of my examinauon, no matter has come (o my attenrion:
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the Tn￿tee5 have
not met the requirements io ensure that."
proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with Section 41 of the Act).
accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the
accounting requirements of the Act: or
2. to which. in my opinion, should be drawn in order ro enable a prO￿r unders(anding of the
accounts to be reached.
Signed
Peter RE Hanlon FCIB
35 Horseshoe Drive
Romsey
S0517rp
3° October 2025