2025-09-30-accounts - North London Symphony Orchestra

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date 1 October 2024 30 September 2025 From To

Section A Reference and administration details

North London Symphony Orchestra

Charity name Other names charity is known by NLSO Registered charity number (if any) 283455 Charity's principal address 14 Rectory Gardens London Postcode N8 7PJ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Pauline Stockman	Chairman
Michael Henderson	Treasurer
Caroline Soresby	Secretary
Denise Burns		1/10/24 – 4/11/24
Dominic Wells
Viviane Finke		4/11/24 – 30/09/25
Sheila Wallace
Kate Ryle
Lysander Tennant
Raissa Harvey

March 2012

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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution adopted on 8 June 1981, amended on 6 March 1995 Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Unincorporated Association How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually by election of the Trustee selection methods members at the Annual General Meeting held in the autumn. (eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;

Membership of the orchestra is open to all adults subject to an informal audition process. The trustees oversee the day-to-day running of the orchestra. The trustees seek the views of members, usually on an annual basis, as to the choices of the music to be played and other aspects of the life of the orchestra. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits.

Membership numbers vary from time to time and range from around 60 to 70. Extra players (including percussion and harp if required) are brought in for specific concerts as needed.

relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

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To educate the public in the arts and sciences, and in particular the art and science of music, by the presentation of concerts and other activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

	To educate the public in the arts and sciences, and in particular the art and science of music, by the presentation of concerts and other activities
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)	The orchestra prepares for and presents concerts of a varied nature in the North London area. Repertoire for the concerts is chosen by the Trustees in discussion with the conductor, and after soliciting views from members. The aim is to choose programmes which are interesting, varied, and challenging to members. Through professionally led rehearsals and concerts, the orchestra seeks to develop players' musical skills, and confidence in orchestral playing, and knowledge of music. Programmes are chosen also to be instructive and entertaining to our public audiences, extending their knowledge of orchestral music repertoire wherever possible. The orchestra seeks to engage a concerto soloist (generally for each programme) who is either an up-and-coming or established professional soloist. This gives members an excellent opportunity to develop and practice skills in accompanying soloists in performance at a high level. The orchestra presents at least three concerts per year, each one preceded by 9 weekly rehearsals. The orchestra is conducted by a professional conductor, and led by a professional violinist. Full rehearsals are led by a professional conductor, and the sectional rehearsals are led either by the conductor or leader (for strings) and a professional coach or other music professional (for woodwind and brass). The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission where relevant, when making decisions regarding the above activities, in order to ensure that these activities continue to further the orchestra's objects and provide benefit to the public.

To educate the public in the arts and sciences, and in particular the art
and science of music, by the presentation of concerts and other activities

Summary of the main
activities undertaken for the
public benefit in relation to
these objects (include within
this section the statutory
declaration that trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit)

The orchestra prepares for and presents concerts of a varied nature in
the North London area. Repertoire for the concerts is chosen by the
Trustees in discussion with the conductor, and after soliciting views from
members. The aim is to choose programmes which are interesting,
varied, and challenging to members. Through professionally led
rehearsals and concerts, the orchestra seeks to develop players' musical
skills, and confidence in orchestral playing, and knowledge of music.
Programmes are chosen also to be instructive and entertaining to our
public audiences, extending their knowledge of orchestral music
repertoire wherever possible. The orchestra seeks to engage a concerto
soloist (generally for each programme) who is either an up-and-coming or
established professional soloist. This gives members an excellent
opportunity to develop and practice skills in accompanying soloists in
performance at a high level.
The orchestra presents at least three concerts per year, each one
preceded by 9 weekly rehearsals.
The orchestra is conducted by a professional conductor, and led by a
professional violinist. Full rehearsals are led by a professional
conductor, and the sectional rehearsals are led either by the conductor or
leader (for strings) and a professional coach or other music professional
(for woodwind and brass).
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance on public
benefit issued by the Charity Commission where relevant, when making
decisions regarding the above activities, in order to ensure that these
activities continue to further the orchestra's objects and provide benefit to
the public.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

March 2012

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The trustees would like to thank the following who greatly support the orchestra each year:

Our patrons, many of whom are long-standing, and who give generous financial contributions to the orchestra.
Our supportive audiences, many of whom have been long-time attendees of our concerts.

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
The relatives and friends of trustees and members who give of their time freely to assist in the preparations for concerts and volunteer on concert days.
Volunteers from the venues where we present concerts for their time and assistance on concert days, including our regular venue at St James Church in Muswell Hill.
contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

March 2012

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Section D Achievements and performance We prepared for and presented three concerts in our regular concert Summary of the main programme: achievements of the charity during the year Autumn: The programme featured Verdi: “La Forza del Destino” overture; Britten: Cello Symphony (soloist: Tim Gill) and Liszt: Faust Symphony. The concert took place at St John’s Church, Friern Barnet. Spring: The programme featured Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto no. 2 (soloist: Thomas Kelly) and Mahler: Symphony no.1. The concert took place at St James Church, Muswell Hill. Summer: The programme featured Smetana: “The Bartered Bride” overture, Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor (soloist: Maya Broman Crawford-Phillips) and Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra. The concert took place at St James Church, Muswell Hill. All concerts were well attended and well received, in particular the Spring concert which attracted our largest audience since Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in June 2023. The year included a number of challenging pieces that the orchestra had not performed before including the Britten, Liszt and Strauss. These challenges were met with enthusiasm and the Trustees feel that this was a very successful year musically for the orchestra. The orchestra also held a now annual chamber music concert at our rehearsal venue, the Union Church and Community Centre in Crouch End. This informal concert featured various chamber groups drawn from members of the orchestra, and was enjoyed by all present. A number of social events were held during the year including a Christmas meal and visits to professional concerts featuring pieces recently played or due to be played by the orchestra. These were much appreciated by those attending and contributed to the sense of community in the orchestra. The Trustees feel that the quality of orchestral performance has continued to increase over the year. Also, feedback given as part of the annual member survey has shown a high level of satisfaction from members as to the programmes being chosen, and other matters concerning the operation and management of the orchestra. The membership of the orchestra remained strong with all string sections at or near capacity, full woodwind and horn sections and a nearly full brass section. The presence of such a full orchestra helped to enable productive and successful rehearsals, and the increased subscription income from members, coupled with a reduced requirement to bring in extra players for concerts, contributed to another good outcome financially.

March 2012

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Section E Financial review The orchestra aims to maintain a reserve of al least £10,000 to cover the operating costs of putting on a concert. including rehearsals. Membership subscriptions and ticket prices are reviewed regularly in the light of operating costs to ensure adequate resetves. Brief statement of the charity's policy on reserves Details of any funds materially in defjcit IThere are no funds in deficit I Further financial review details (Optional information) In August 2018 the orchestra received a bequest of £15,000 from the will of Dr Vivian Moses, a long-time patron and supporter oflhe orchestra. During the period of this report, the Trustees continued to develop plans to use the bequest for purposes beneficial to the development of the orchestra and ils activities. You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about.. the charity's principal sources of funds {including any fundraising}', how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity., investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature{sl Full name(s) Position leg Secretary, Chair. etc) fLfflSo Date 2q. 07. 2£)1 TAR March 2012

NORTH LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONSOLIDATED RECEIPTS and PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for period 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2026 RECEIPTS PAYMENTS 2024125 2023124 202W2S 2023124 Concert Incomé Autumn tontert Spring eontÈrt Summer concert Chamber concert Concort Expon8 Auiumn concert Spring concert Summer concert Chambereoncert 2.620 06 3.910 47 3.101 86 141.44 2.098.81 2,952.94 2,741.13 124.58 4.044.OS 6.487.03 4.987.60 90.62 3,144.83 4,078 65 4,835.71 115.62 Mèmbérnhip Sub8CriPtlong Iln¢ eartyl 12.405.06 13,578 56 Rehearsa Professional fee$ Ljnion Church l High9ale URC RehÈars81 refresfmen15 8.861.00 2.571.75 109.62 8,486.CQ 2,430 50 nla Donations 603.10 852 80 Rfyfr¢¥hment sales at rtrhear8als 382.50 1(K).37 Malng Mu81¢ subscnpiion MaSng Muslc PRS lees 468 00 283.25 652 68 Tax rep•ym•nts IGift AKII 3.314.41 3,332.57 Patrons Schgmo 2,392.50 1,858.82 Mistollangou¥ Refund of duplicate solo paymenl Inillèl loan lo Production Company Produclion Company lees 2022-23 cost of refreshrnents Solo evenirvJ mus1¢ hirÈlpurchase 8ank charges MHFGA subscript November concert venue deposrt Broken ljind repa nl8 n18 25.00 1.1.00 71.00 347.15 159.35 63.75 2500 5000 nla Mlscellan6ou8 Civin9 Machine Bank Inte8 Sa of surplus mulled wne to FCC 35.17 61077 nla nla nla 60 (AI 25 (X) 50.(KI 110 (M) 520.36 38.00 TOTAL 29,429.76 28,286.52 TOTAL 28.181.93 25.485.24 Surplus I IL0881 1.247.83 2,801.26 8ANK RECONCILATIOM.. CASFt al Bank 81 1 October 2024 Surplus from season 2024-25 sha Caprtal IPrt*Juction Companyl CASH at Bank at 30 September 202S 26,563.57 1,247.83 3.00 27.814.40 STATEMENT OF ASSETS and LIABILITIES as at 30 Se tember 2025 Cash at bank.. £27,814.40 Other Monetary Assets.. None Investment Assets: None Assets retained for NLSO'S own use.. Double bass + Cover. sheet music, backing cards, music stands. lighting. Liabilities.. None Signed on behalf of all the Trustees: Date.. Iq. 0 2D2é Michael Henderson. Trea$urer NOTE All amounts in the Statement of Receipts and Payrnent5, In the Slalemenl of As$et$ and Liabilitie3, relate to Unrestricted Funds Ifunds which the trustees are able to spend al their discretion foi any of the charity's purposes).

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examinees report on the accounts Sectlon A Indopondciit Exjminor's Roport Reporl to th• tru•te•Jl m•rnb•r• of ¢ lTh Lo08 SYMftr(o On •ecounts for th• year •nd•d Chartty no Ill any) gErtM6ER 2025 2g345S S•t out on page• I report lo the trustees on my examin8tion of the accounts of the abovE charity I"Ihe Trust'l fDr Ihe year ersded Rèsponslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the T81, you are responsible for the preparation basls of report of the accounls in 4ccordanco with Ihe requirements of Ihe Chanties AGt 20111.the Act.). I report in fesped of my examination of the Trust's accounts Carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in Garying out my exarninatlon. I have followed the applicable Directlon8 given tsy the Cherfty Commlssion under section 14515){bl of the Art. I have completed my examination. l eonfimi that no material matterJ have come to my attention ") in connectlon Y•ith the examination which glves me Gause to belteve that in, any materiel respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordanc6 With sectton 130 of the Act or the accounts dD not accord with the accounting records Independent examinees ststement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable roper understandin9 of fhe accounts to be rea¢hed. ' Please dele1& the Wd$ in the brackets if they do not apply. Dats: Sl9ned: Narne: OA R6lèvant professlonal qllalificationls) or body (If any).. N/A Addrn¥$: La IER October 2018