South West Essex Choir Trustees Report
Season 2022 – 2023
Table of contents
Page
| Page | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Society Objectives..........................................................................................2 |
| 2. | SWEC is open to all who enjoy music............................................................2 |
| 3. | SWEC performs a wide range of music.........................................................3 |
| 4. | SWEC practises in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.............................3 |
| 5. | SWEC presents public performances to the highest achievable standards. .3 |
| 6. | Fundraising.....................................................................................................4 |
| 7. | Volunteer input................................................................................................4 |
| 8. | Plans for the future.........................................................................................4 |
| Appendix 1 Performance Indicators 5 | |
| Appendix 2 Audience take-up 6 | |
| Appendix 3 Fundraising 7 |
Page 1 of 7
South West Essex Choir Trustees Report
Season 2022 – 2023
1. Society Objectives
In 2022 – 2023 South West Essex Choir continued successfully to meet its primary objective, which is ‘to educate the public in the arts and sciences, and in particular the art and science of choral music, by the presentation of concerts and other activities’.
The Society has adopted the following Mission Statement :
South West Essex Choir
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Is open to all who enjoy singing
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Performs a wide range of music
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Practises in a friendly and supportive atmosphere
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Aims to develop individual musicianship
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Presents public performances to the highest achievable standards
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Involves young people in music making
The first part of this Report considers how these elements have been achieved in 2022 – 2023The Report then goes on to consider budgetary matters, volunteer input and plans for the future.
tabulates performance indicators.
2. SWEC is open to all who enjoy music.
The Society is a traditional mixed voice, mixed ability SATB choir. It remains a non-auditioning choir and is not constrained in numbers by the size of its rehearsal space. All are welcome. The Committee is aware that there are occasions when sections become unbalanced, but is anxious that this shall not affect the current ‘open door’ policy.
Table 1 sets out the Society’s membership in recent years and shows a slight reduction in the number of members returning after the end of the Covid-19 restrictions.
3. SWEC performs a wide range of music
SWEC has always endeavoured to produce seasons covering a wide range of music spanning many years of composition
Our concert programme for the season included Mozart Verperae Solennes de Confessore and Haydn Missa Sancti Nicolai (December 2022) ; Bob Chilcott St John Passion and Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs (March 2023); Beethoven Choral Fantasy, for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra and Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage (July 2023)
Page 2 of 7
South West Essex Choir Trustees Report
Season 2022 – 2023
4. SWEC practises in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
The Society is fortunate in having a very suitable and hospitable rehearsal space, with a separate room for sectional rehearsals when needed, and a separate socialising area for a well-earned mid-rehearsal break. Rehearsals are well attended and the mid-session break is a chance for people to mix, and for members to speak with the Committee or the Musical Director about any issues.
Evidence of the Society achieving high standards in its performances is largely anecdotal. It comes from the expressed opinion of the Musical Director, comments received from the audience and members’ own opinion of their performance. Our Musical Director maintained the already high standard of the choir which has been built up over many years.
In choosing orchestral accompaniment and soloists the Society is necessarily constrained by what it can afford. The Musical Director has booked excellent soloists and orchestras. The high quality of the orchestra has enhanced the performances.
5. Fundraising
- Our fundraising involved various social activities including Christmas & Summer Social evenings.
The events were well supported by members, friends and families and the Society exceeded its fundraising target by a third as well as providing very enjoyable social events for its members. Table 3 sets out the details.
7. Volunteer input
The Society continues to be very ably served by its Committee who give unstintingly of their free time. They are:
Chairman Anissa Msallem Vice Chairman Susannah Pickering-Saqqa Treasurer John Bridger Deputy treasurer Kathryn Ronnau-Bradbeer Secretary Vanessa Watling Membership Secretary Mary McElarney Concert Manager Anissa Msallem Social Secretary Joanne Stone-Williams Music Librarian Monica Richardson Publicity officers Robert Young Members without portfolio Maureen Galloway Ex-officio Musical Director Andrew Sackett
Page 3 of 7
South West Essex Choir Trustees Report
Season 2022 – 2023
- The Committee meets at least three times a year.
The organisational skills of Concert Manager have been evident on concert days and social evenings.
Andrew Sackett has produces the concert notes in our programmes and Robert Young drafts the printed programmes.
9. Plans for the future
We plan to hold our normal rehearsals at Loughton Methodist church and have three concerts in our 2023 -2024 season.
The concert programme for next season ranges from Benjamin Britten Ceremony of Carols (December 2023) ; Verdi Requiem Mass (March 2024) and Will Todd Mass in Blue (July 2024) all held at Chingford Parish Church.
Page 4 of 7
South West Essex Choir Trustees Report
Season 2022 – 2023
Appendix 1 Performance Indicators
Table 1 Number of Singers on Register in last few years
| Year | Number on register | Number covenanting or Gift Aid |
|---|---|---|
| 2009/10 | 115 | 92 |
| 2010/11 | 108 | 94 |
| 2011/12 | 107 | 86 |
| 2012/13 | 107 | 89 |
| 2013/14 | 103 | 88 |
| 2014/15 | 104 | 82 |
| 2015/16 | 110 | 92 |
| 2016/17 | 95 | 82 |
| 2017/18 | 109 | 88 |
| 2018/19 | 105 | 89 |
| 2019/20 | 104 | 87 |
| 2020/21 | 40 | 36 |
| 2021/22 | 73 | 67 |
| 2022/23 | 75 | 68 |
Page 5 of 7
South West Essex Choir Trustees Report
Season 2022 – 2023
Table 2 Audience Take-up
| Season | Date & Venue | Total seats |
Tickets sold |
Comp tickets |
Total attending |
Total attending |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. % |
||||||
| 2020/21 | 24/3/2020 Chingford Parish Church (Cancelled due to Pandemic) |
|||||
| 4/7/2020 Chingford Parish Church (Cancelled due to Pandemic)) |
||||||
| Season Total | 317 |
2020/21 No public concerts due to Covid 19
| 2021/22 | 4/12/2021 St Gabriel’s Church (Christmas Celebration) |
212 | 124 | 3 | 127 | 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/3/2022 Chingford Church (Rutter Requiem and Puccini Messa di Gloria) |
320 | 87 | 20 | 89 | 30 | |
| 2/7/2022 St Gabriel Church (Duke Ellington Sacred Concert and Brazilian Songs of Nature arranged byRoland Perrin) |
212 | 96 | 12 | 108 | 52 | |
| Season Total | 317 | |||||
| 2022/23 | 3/12/2022 St Gabriel’s Church (Mozart_Verperae Solennes de_ Confessore_and Haydn_Missa Sancti Nicolai) |
212 | 123 | 6 | 129 | 60 |
| 25/3/2023 Chingford Church (Bob Chilcott_St John Passion_and Vaughan Williams_Five Mystical_ Songs) |
212 | 102 | 6 | 108 | 51 | |
| 1/7/2023 St Gabriel Church (Beethoven_Choral Fantasy, for_ _Piano, Chorus and Orchestra_and Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage) |
212 | 170 | 8 | 178 | 84 | |
| Season Total | 415 |
Page 6 of 7
South West Essex Choir Trustees Report
Season 2022 – 2023
Table 3 Fundraising
| Event | Out-goings | Income | Net profit | % of £1000 target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas social | £960 | £602 | £358 | 36 |
| Rehearsal cakes | £0 | £102 | £102 | 10 |
| Walk | £0 | £105 | £105 | 10 |
| Books | £0 | £62 | £62 | 6 |
| General | £0 | £5 | £5 | 1 |
| Total 2022/23 | £960 | £876 | £632 | 62 |
Page 7 of 7
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF CONCERTS Spring terni Summer temi TOTALS Haydn Missa Sancti Chikott Mozart Regina Coeli St John's Passk)n Mozart Solemn Vespers Vaughan Williams S Myskd Songs BraIn Sonas of Natur& Beethoven Mass iTri. Choral Fanlasy Calffl Sea EXPENDITURE Conductol8rranger Soloists OrchestralAccompanist Sbffeners Posterslpubli¢ty TicketslPrograms Hire - music Hire- instruments Hire- venuelstaging Mis¢ellaneous TOTAL 1500.ou 3280.00 6035.00 5Cw).00 1200.00 5335.00 1000.LKI 1080.(M) 350.(7 295.C 195.00 894.83 275.00 215.00 140.40 225.00 711.83 710.40 635.00 1793.56 0.00 4386.60 180.25 18519.81 1477.60 63.60 4576 03 15C6.40 53.65 43e6.95 1401.60 63.00 9576.83 INCOME Tickets/pramS Salelhire mus Patrons Adverts Donation Grants Miscellaneous 2129.62 1008.33 2344.14 5482.09 0.00 255.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 120.00 75.00 ,M89.62 1128.33 2419.14 5737.09 Net profivdeficit -2386.41 -3238.62 -7157.69 -12782.72 I have examined the above Balance Sheet and Expendibjre Account wth rec1$ and yoherS yoduceAJ to me and in my ownion the above Balance Sheet and Ac¢ounts are correct and in aCcOrdae therewth and with Ihe irrfoffliaknon and expknats.ons gwen to me. Sned Indeperthnt Examiner
soirrH WEST ESSEX CHOIR SEASON 202212023 INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT INCOME 202112022 202212023 Income from concerts Choir subscriptions Donations & grants Social & fund raising Bank interest Patrons accont Inland Revenue Miscellaneous Choral Workshop 5152.85 12055.00 25.00 450.00 29.64 5737.09 16036.99 0.00 1457.97 538.02 14007.28 3015.92 16.39 0.00 40809.66 1614.49 20.00 620.00 14814.13 EXPENDITURE Expenditure on concerts Publicity Subscriptions/donations Social & fund raising Professional fees Hire of rehearsal hall Miscellaneous Chingford festival Choral workshop BALANCE for year Surplus/deficit 20530.28 18519.8J 195.00 712.64 602.00 6480.00 4120.00 90.00 0.00 0.00 30719.45 322.00 253.60 6161.95 3575.00 132.48 0.00 382.00 31357.31 -16543.J8 10090.21 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st AUGUST 2022 ACCUMULATED FUND CASH HAND Balance at 31 19163.03 Cash at bank Current gjc Deposit ajc 17337.33 11915.91 Plus surplus 10090.21 Creditors Debtors 29253.24 29253.24
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF CONCERTS Spring terni Summer temi TOTALS Haydn Missa Sancti Chikott Mozart Regina Coeli St John's Passk)n Mozart Solemn Vespers Vaughan Williams S Myskd Songs BraIn Sonas of Natur& Beethoven Mass iTri. Choral Fanlasy Calffl Sea EXPENDITURE Conductol8rranger Soloists OrchestralAccompanist Sbffeners Posterslpubli¢ty TicketslPrograms Hire - music Hire- instruments Hire- venuelstaging Mis¢ellaneous TOTAL 1500.ou 3280.00 6035.00 5Cw).00 1200.00 5335.00 1000.LKI 1080.(M) 350.(7 295.C 195.00 894.83 275.00 215.00 140.40 225.00 711.83 710.40 635.00 1793.56 0.00 4386.60 180.25 18519.81 1477.60 63.60 4576 03 15C6.40 53.65 43e6.95 1401.60 63.00 9576.83 INCOME Tickets/pramS Salelhire mus Patrons Adverts Donation Grants Miscellaneous 2129.62 1008.33 2344.14 5482.09 0.00 255.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 120.00 75.00 ,M89.62 1128.33 2419.14 5737.09 Net profivdeficit -2386.41 -3238.62 -7157.69 -12782.72 I have examined the above Balance Sheet and Expendibjre Account wth rec1$ and yoherS yoduceAJ to me and in my ownion the above Balance Sheet and Ac¢ounts are correct and in aCcOrdae therewth and with Ihe irrfoffliaknon and expknats.ons gwen to me. Sned Indeperthnt Examiner
soirrH WEST ESSEX CHOIR SEASON 202212023 INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT INCOME 202112022 202212023 Income from concerts Choir subscriptions Donations & grants Social & fund raising Bank interest Patrons accont Inland Revenue Miscellaneous Choral Workshop 5152.85 12055.00 25.00 450.00 29.64 5737.09 16036.99 0.00 1457.97 538.02 14007.28 3015.92 16.39 0.00 40809.66 1614.49 20.00 620.00 14814.13 EXPENDITURE Expenditure on concerts Publicity Subscriptions/donations Social & fund raising Professional fees Hire of rehearsal hall Miscellaneous Chingford festival Choral workshop BALANCE for year Surplus/deficit 20530.28 18519.8J 195.00 712.64 602.00 6480.00 4120.00 90.00 0.00 0.00 30719.45 322.00 253.60 6161.95 3575.00 132.48 0.00 382.00 31357.31 -16543.J8 10090.21 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st AUGUST 2022 ACCUMULATED FUND CASH HAND Balance at 31 19163.03 Cash at bank Current gjc Deposit ajc 17337.33 11915.91 Plus surplus 10090.21 Creditors Debtors 29253.24 29253.24