## **Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research** 

## **(SEMPRE)** 

**Annual General Meeting, Friday 14 June 2024** 12.30 – 1.00pm held online via Zoom at the ‘MET2024 Conference’ 

## Minutes 

**1. Welcome** (Chair) – GfW welcomed all to the meeting and extended particular thanks to Professor Evangelos Himonides, Dr Carol Johnson, Professor Andrew King and Dr Helen Prior for timetabling this meeting to take place during the SEMPRE MET2024 Conference, 14-15 June 2024 at the University of Hull and online. Congratulations to all involved in the conference. 

## **2. Apologies** 

Julie Ballantyne, Margaret Barrett, Karen Burland-Clark, Julia Harding, Raymond MacDonald, Kathryn Marsh, Adam Ockelford, Ioulia Papageorgi, John Sloboda, Mary Stakelum, Aaron Williamon 

## **Present:** 

Scott Bannister, Josephine Borradaile, Liora Bresler, Mark Cronin, Ian Cross, Monica Esslin-Peard, Jane Ginsborg, Jason Goopy, Evangelos Himonides, Alexis Kallio, Poulami Kar, Yanyi Lu, Elizabeth MacGregor, Adarsh Nim, Helen Prior, Tushar Singh, Martha Summa, Renee Timmers, Graham Welch 

## **3. Minutes of the previous AGM held on Wednesday 12 April 2023 during the RiME2023 Conference** 

Agreed. 

## **4. Matters arising** 

_Elections for Committee Members:_ GfW reported that Melissa Kirby who previously served as a student rep has been elected in 2024 to the following post: _Early Career Researcher:_ 

Melissa Kirby 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



**5. Chair’s Report** (Professor Graham Welch) 

   - **5.1. Special thanks** 

      - 5.1.1. _Committee_ GfW extended his thanks as Chair to everyone on the SEMPRE Committee, Officers and Trustees for their positive contributions to the work of the Society over the past twelve months and more. Despite the continuing fall-out from the pandemic and the need for extensive virtual communication, we continue to have a successful global presence in the worlds of music education and music psychology through our charitable work. This embraces our portfolio of publications (three journals, a significant web presence and book series), support for international conferences and small grants award schemes, as well as special projects to support underserved communities in different parts of the world. 

      - 5.1.2. _Administrator_ (Josephine Borradaile) our part-time Administrator, Josephine has continued to be central to our organisational success and we are very grateful for her persistent care, positivity and attention to detail. Her work is invaluable. 

      - 5.1.3. _Editors and Assistants_ (Journals): GfW extended sincere thanks to the respective teams who take such professional care and pride in leading our three SAGE journals: 

         - Special thanks to Professor Alex Lamont, Editor in Chief who is planning to step down and the two Assistant Editors Dr Karen Wise and Dr Katerina Drakoulaki. [Psychology of Music]; GfW noted that an advertisement for a new Editor in Chief had just been published. 

         - Associate Professor Julie Ballantyne, a warm welcome to the newly appointed Co-editor Dr Alexis Kallio, and Dr Elizabeth MacGregor [Research Studies in Music Education]; and 

         - Professor Ian Cross, Editor in Chief, and Dr Scott Bannister [Music and Science]. 

      - 5.1.4.  GfW also extended thanks to other SEMPRE colleagues, supporters and organisations who each make a singular contribution to our success as an international learned society. 

            - _Book Reviews Editor_ (Professor Evangelos Himonides) special thanks to Evangelos who has recently stepped down. Talks are now in place with SAGE re: the position of book reviews (previously included in POM) as not clear how many people read these reviews and also the difficulty in recruiting reviewers given the time taken to read and write a review: possibility of a DOI for each book review so that a reviewer receives recognition is being considered. 

            - _SEMPRE Webmaster_ (Professor Evangelos Himonides) GfW extended warm thanks for the excellent work Evangelos has 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



been doing and noted the need for the website to be 

      - significantly overhauled and that plans for this are underway. 

   - _Conference organisers_ (Dr Helen Prior & Dr Mary Stakelum) many thanks to both Helen and Mary for all their work on SEMPRE and in association with SEMPRE conferences: much appreciated. 

   - _Our Publishers_ (Sage [journals] and Routledge [books]) 

   - _All Our Authors_ 

   - _All Our Reviewers_ of the article submissions to our journals and book series for their time, professionalism, expertise and commitment to the rigorous advance of knowledge in the various sciences (social, physical, clinical) associated with music. 

- **5.2. Journals** – GfW was happy to report the ongoing success for our two established journals and our newer online journal, each produced by Sage: _Psychology of Music_ (now in its 52[nd] year of publication), _Research Studies in Music Education_ and _Music and Science_ (open access). Our special thanks to Miriam Hodge and her colleagues at SAGE for their continued support for all our journals and mission: See Annex for the highlights of 2023 from SAGE. 

## **5.3. SAGE-based Income for SEMPRE over the past decade and more** 

## **(January to December)** 

_Income 2010_ = £61,312.15 _Income 2011_ = £59,673.18 _Income 2012_ = £102,480.50 _Income 2013_ = £111,310.33 _Income 2014_ = £112,944.58 _Income 2015 =_ £128,134 _Income 2016 =_ £134,482.90 _Income 2017_ = £150,593.98 _Income 2018_ = £146,684.04 _Income 2019 =_ £159,460.48 _Income 2020 =_ £161,221.50 _Income 2021 =_ £133,354.13 _Income 2022 =_ £162,479.25 _Income 2023 =_ £152,163.68 

GfW reported that income has grown considerably over the last 13 years and has remained relatively buoyant in spite of the uncertainty brought about through COVID and its ramifications. These journals underpin SEMPRE’s charitable awards supporting researchers worldwide. GfW 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



extended special thanks to all the editors and colleagues at SAGE for this continued success. 

## **5.4. Routledge (formerly Ashgate SEMPRE Book Series) 2024** 

https://www.routledge.com/SEMPRE-Studies-in-The-Psychology-ofMusic/book-series/SEMPRE 

GfW noted that this series now comprises 48 volumes, including new volumes by Tuomas Eerola, Georgia Volioti and Daniel Barolsky, and an edited collection by Mats Küssner, Liila Taruffi and Georgia Floridou, plus 6 volumes commissioned. GfW extended congratulations to Jason Goopy (present at the AGM) on his recently published single authored book _Teenage Boys, Musical Identities, and Music Education: An Australian Narrative Inquiry._ GfW welcomed approaches for new titles for consideration. 

## **5.5 SEMPRE Awards** 

## **2023** 

- As at December 2023, SEMPRE’s total awards since 2004/5 total £1,058,131. This figure includes monies that were set aside to fund SEMPRE’s 50[th] Anniversary research awards, one or two of which will be completed in 2024. GfW noted the extraordinary work of all the academics who support SEMPRE’s endeavours: thank you to you all. 


## **5.6 Miller Investments** 

## **2023** 

   - GfW noted that the value of these investments stand at £199,191.44 as at December 2023. 

- **5.7 SEMPRE International Projects:** GfW noted that SEMPRE’s international projects over the past few years have involved initiatives in cultural education in India and Nepal; special needs projects in Pakistan, Haiti and Brazil; music for young children in Afghanistan; new support for postearthquake survivors in container schools in Turkey, several projects on music for inclusion and literacy in Kenya, plus music education in Uganda and family support through music in Gambia. We have also supported a 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



new music education and ecology programme in an underserved community in NE Brazil. We also have been supporting ISME in its new regional initiative to enrich and promote music education in under-served communities in various parts of the world, originally launched in 2021. Recipients are from Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa and US (focused - - on native Americans). See https://www.isme.org/news/isme sempre music-education-research-grant-recipients-announced We are expecting updates on these awards at the next ISME World conference in July 2024. 

**6. Treasurer’s Report overview for 2023** (Professor Karen Burland) 

(See Annex for the official accounts as reported to the Charity Commissioners for 2022/23.) 

GfW thanked the SEMPRE Treasurer for all her work and presented the following report on her behalf: adding that the Trustees were presently reviewing SEMPRE’s portfolio of awards in the light of the Rosamund Bourke legacy and hoping to have a revamped set of awards published on the website later in the autumn: 

SEMPRE’s finances are extremely healthy due to much larger royalties from SAGE than expected. On 28 April 2023 we received a total of £162,479.25 for 2022 a significant increase on 2021 (£133,354.13) and despite the original figure of projected royalties for 2023 being: £148,597 we actually received £152,163.68 on 30 April 2024. 

In 2023 we promised around £35,857 of awards with an overall total of £1,058,131 made since 2004/05. Trustees have been reviewing the award portfolio taking into account the £15,000 legacy payment received on 1 June 2023 from Rosamund Bourke’s estate. An updated detailed overview of awards and the current financial position have been dropped into this agenda: please see the Awards Summary above and the Financial Summary in the appendices. 

Finances are very healthy across our accounts and with a total of £148,597 of funds committed overall and annual running costs for SEMPRE of just over £46,000, I would suggest that our spending is appropriate with room to consider making additional investments. 

Crouch Chapman reviewed our accounts for the financial period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 in readiness for the Charity Commission return which was submitted for the 31 January 2024 deadline. In future we will be moving towards a financial period that runs 1 January to 31 December in order to better reflect the way our income from both royalties and membership is received. 

Thanks to Josephine once again for her continued efforts in supporting the Society – she is vital to its smooth operation. 

**7. Membership Report** (Josephine Borradaile) 

GfW invited members to view the membership report in the Annex. 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



## **8. Editors’ Reports** (see Annex for editors’ reports) 

GfW invited the editors present for any additional comments on the reports provided in the annex. 

- **8.1.** _Psychology of Music_ (Professor Alex Lamont, Dr Karen Wise and Dr Katerina Drakoulaki): nothing to add. 

- **8.2.** _Research Studies in Music Education_ (Associate Professor Julie Ballantyne and Dr Elizabeth MacGregor): nothing to add. 

- **8.3** _Music & Science_ (Professor Ian Cross and Dr Scott Bannister): SB nothing to add but important to note that the special collection editions are increasing the number of submissions. 

On behalf of the three journals editors IC noted that Music & Science are still finding it hard to recruit and retain reviewers, for example, it is often hard to get the original reviewers back to re-review a reworked submission. However, the three editorial teams are meeting regularly to discuss issues arising and this has proved extremely helpful and supportive. 

## **9. Conference Secretary and Conference Liaison Officer** 

(report by Dr Helen Prior and Dr Mary Stakelum) 

See Annex for report. GfW thanked HP and MS for all their support and invited HP to provide any comments. HP noted that SEMPRE continues to support a variety of in association conferences. The Autumn 2024 SEMPRE conference will take place on Friday 8 November and will be an online student study day run by Helen Prior, University of Hull. The Spring 2025 SEMPRE conference will take place on 9-10 April 2025 and will be run by Jane Ginsborg and Michelle Phillips at the Royal Northern College of Music. Proposals are invited for the autumn of 2025. 

## **10. Webmaster’s Report** (Professor Evangelos Himonides) 

See Annex for report. 

GfW invited EH to comment: EH noted that the greatest challenge is that technology is always changing and all institutional websites are under constant threat: the SEMPRE website is in the process of being revamped. 

## **11. Any Other Business** 

- (a) To note that we remain committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in all our activities, as illustrated by our range of awards globally in each of the world’s regions. Dr Mary Stakelum continues to lead on our policy development related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, working with music colleagues across the higher education sector in the UK. 

GfW underlined SEMPRE’s commitment to their endeavour to support communities globally and how good it was to see such a wide representation at the AGM. 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



- (b) Also to note that our portfolio of SEMPRE awards is under review and we expect to relaunch these in the Autumn 2024. 

## **12. DONM** 

To be held during the SEMPRE Spring 2025 Conference: date and time to be confirmed. 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



## **Annex 1: AGM 2024 Reports** 

## **SAGE Overview for 2023** 

## **SEMPRE Journals headlines:** 

- All three SEMPRE journals continue to successfully publish research with hundreds of manuscripts submitted each year. Sage is grateful for the excellent journals’ Editors for continuing rigorous peer review, publishing impactful content, and expanding to new communities despite challenges in the publishing industry. 

- SEMPRE Journals now attract over 750,000 article downloads per year and can be accessed at thousands of institutions across the world. 

- _Psychology of Music_ is indexed in Clarivate Analytics’ Social Sciences Citation Index with an Impact Factor of 1.7. _Research Studies in Music Education_ is now indexed in Clarivate Analytics’ Emerging Sources Citation Index, and achieved its first ever Impact Factor of 1.6 last year. _Psychology of Music, Research Studies in Music Education_ and _Music & Science_ were all indexed in Scopus in 2023, and feature in the top 15 journals for Music Citescore ranking. 

## **Sage Publishing 2023 news:** 

- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is something that we care deeply about at Sage. We are aware that the publishing industry, including Sage, has much more work to do in order to better reflect the diversity of the world we seek to educate and inform. In 2023 Sage invested in several Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives to improve both our own organization and our publication programs. For more information, please visit our DEI hub. 

- Open Access Agreements continued to grow in 2023, enabling Sage to offer more routes to open access for our authors. Countries and consortia such as the University of California and Penn State University Libraries in the US, South Africa (SANLiC), and Australia & New Zealand (CAUL) transformed their business with us. By increasing Open Access Agreements, hybrid publication, and working with key policymakers, Sage ensures journals are competitive while remaining sustainable and compliant with key funder requirements. 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



## _**Psychology of Music**_ **Editorial Report** 

It’s been a busy six months and the new Assistant Editors (Karen Wise and Katerina Drakoulaki) are now fully on board with the processes. We’ve been developing some efficiencies in relation to flagging articles and a new ‘accept subject to formatting’ stage in the review process which should lead to speeding up the turnaround time. We’ve been discussing proof reading and copy editing with SAGE and are working on finding better solutions to the challenge of poorly written but scientifically sound work. 

There have been a few changes in both the Associate Editors list and the Editorial Board and I’d particularly like to thank John Sloboda, now retired from the Board, for sterling service over a long period of time. The Associate Editors are doing a great job of providing an additional layer of initial screening, finding reviewers, adding to our pool of reviewers, and making recommendations, and their help is invaluable in managing the workload. As ever if anyone has ideas for enthusiastic and reliable colleagues who might make a great contribution to the team do please let me know. 

The rejection rate continues to be high because of the large number of articles that simply are not of the standard we seek or have other challenges (implausible data collection, off topic, potentially AI-generated, and repeat submissions of previously rejected papers). I don’t think this is a particular problem, just something to keep an eye on. 

We’re currently working on revising the guidelines to authors and particularly incorporating principles of open research, which Katerina, Mats Küssner and Hugo Cogo-Moreia have been working on. The next step will be the reviewers’ scorecard, which is a little over-complex at the moment and needs simplifying. We’re also looking at a bit more automation in the feedback to reviewers from authors. 

We have also met with the other SEMPRE journal teams to develop a backup assistant editor process and to discuss problematic issues, in particular around multiple submitters and potentially fraudulent submissions. 

I’d like to discuss the future of book reviews at the meeting. I’ve started this discussion with both Evangelos and Miriam. We do not currently have a book reviews editor, and if we continue to publish in the journal this role will be required. Evangelos’s view is that DOIs are needed to incentivise reviewers; Miriam confirmed that the reviews are not as frequently accessed or read than main papers. A more community-driven informal approach on the SEMPRE website might be successful, but would probably still need some editorial control. I have only had two people contact me about potential book reviews (authors of the books) since Evangelos stepped down from the book review editor role so I am just not sure there is enough demand to keep this going in the formal print/DOI manner, but would really welcome input from the committee. 

Thanks again to the SAGE team for excellent support, and sincere thanks to Karen and Katerina for all their hard work. 

**Alexandra Lamont: Editor in Chief, Psychology of Music** 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



_**Research Studies in Music Education**_ **Editor’s Report for SEMPRE Committee Meeting - Julie Ballantyne and Elizabeth MacGregor** 


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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



In 2023 50 Ear, 33.896 of manuscript5 have been accepted Following peei review..
Of manuscript5 Wlth deiisions sinie January 202.3. most were submitted From the US1121, Australia (i i I,
Ukraine181. Spain171. and China171. Of these countries. Australia had a significantly higher acceptance
rare172.7961 than the next highest, Spain l j7. IlJ61. The icceptance rate ft)r manuscriprs from the US was
only 2i.OQb. Th¢ significant number of manuscripts submit¢¢d by authors in Ukraine and China w¢r¢ all
rejecred as inappropriare prior to peer review.
Australia
c.anada
China
Netherland5
Nonvay
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Cypru5
Egypt
Finland
Hong Kong
India
ran
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
Ireland
Japan
Kazakhstan
UK
Korea
us
Maiao
Zimbabwe
Malaysia
Total
56
Volume 45
Volume 4.5, 155ue I wa5 published in April 2023, with one per5pective5 article and 12 research articles.
Volume 45, Issue 2 was published in July 2023, with one perspectives article and i i research articles.
Volume 45, Issue 3 was published in October 2023, with nvo perspecriyes articles and 12 research arricles.
We now hive five v(xlcasts on articles available From our hnmepage, and hopt that this number will
increasc ovcr the coming y¢ars ljournals.sagcpub.comlpagdrsm/vidcocollcctionpagc.'pbEditor=¢ru¢l. In
li
SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024 MINUTES


## **Julie Ballantyne and Elizabeth MacGregor, December 2023** 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



_**Music & Science**_ **Progress Report** 

This year we can see the results of having had a number of Special Collections, which has increased the throughput of papers substantially (around 90 submissions with 40 published to date). We are pleased with the range of topics and the geographical spread of submitting authors, though we have quite specific lacuna in respect of Africa with papers received from that continent generally not being of a standard acceptable for entry into the peer review process (where possible we have attempted to fulfil a tutorial role in providing feedback intended to assist the authors in developing their research and its dissemination).  A couple of recent submission from Southeast Asia have been problematic; we suspect that these may have been bot-generated as they tend to share nebulousness as to topic, apparent over-specificity of method, and a lack of specificity in respect of issues such as ethical review process. Our contacts with other journal editors have proved essential here, as we have been able to discuss with each our worries about the nature of such submissions. 

At this point in the year we have one new open Special Collection (on timbre) which is just beginning to generate materials, and intend to seek opportunities to commission new Special Collections as they emerge. This year we are also aiming to renew our Editorial Board (whose members serve as Action Editors, on the _Frontiers_ model) to ensure that we have as wide a geographical spread as is consonant with the present state of the discipline. In all, the journal appears to be healthy and we hope that in this coming year it should gain a formal impact factor (at present, it stands 10th in the Scopus Citescore list of music journals, being the top Open Access journal in the field, and is in the top quartile of the Citescore list of journals in History and Philosophy of Science). 

## **Published articles** 

||**Vol. 1**<br>**(2018)**|**Vol. 2**<br>**(2019)**|**Vol. 3**<br>**(2020)**|**Vol. 4**<br>**(2021)**|**Vol. 5**<br>**(2022)**|**Vol. 6**<br>**(2023)**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Research<br>articles|30|21|30|38|27|40|176|
|Book reviews|2|1|0|3|4|0|10|
|Conference<br>reports|3|0|3|0|1|2|9|
|Total|35|22|33|41|32|42|205|



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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



**Of the 202 papers accepted for publication, the following countries are represented:** 

|**Country**|**2017/18***|**2019**|**2020**|**2021**|**2022**|**2023**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Argentina|1||||||1|
|Australia|4|4|6|2|1|4|21|
|Austria||1||3|2|2|8|
|Belgium||||2|1||3|
|Canada|6|2|1|3|2|3|17|
|Colombia|||||1||1|
|Denmark|1|||||1|2|
|Finland|3|2|3|1|1|2|12|
|France||||1|1|2|4|
|Germany|6|2|1|3|8|7|27|
|Greece||||1|||1|
|HongKong||||1|||1|
|India||||||1|1|
|Israel|1||1||1||3|
|Italy||||||1|1|
|Japan|1|||1||1|3|
|Netherlands|1||1|1|1||4|
|Norway|||1||2|7|10|
|Poland||||1|||1|
|Portugal||||1|1||2|
|Republic of Korea||||||1|1|
|Singapore|||||1||1|
|Sweden|2|1|1|1|1||6|
|Switzerland|1||1|2|1||5|
|UK|8|3|10|12|7|1|41|
|USA|5|4|7|5|3|1|25|
|**Total**|**40**|**19**|**33**|**41**|**35**|**34**|**202**|



*Date = decision date (not publication date) 

At present, there are 16 submissions or revisions where we await reviewer scores; 2 submissions await a decision by the Action Editor; 12 papers are awaiting revisions (8 major; 4 minor). 

## **Statistics** 

## **Manuscripts received by year** (original submissions): 

|**Month**|**2017**|**2018**|**2019**|**2020**|**2021**|**2022**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Jan||2|3|6|4|10|2|
|Feb||2|2|2|9|3|10|
|Mar||7|7|3|8|7|9|
|Apr||4|4|7|5|4|7|
|May||2|5|6|1|4|8|
|June|10|6|2|3|4|4|7|
|July|11|6|3|4|2|5|5|
|Aug|16|4|5|8|8|16|7|
|Sep|4|2|2|1|4|12|8|
|Oct|8|10|5|6|5|21|11|
|Nov|2|5|3|6|9|6|13|
|Dec|3|5|16|9|3|4||
||54|55|57|61|62|96|87|



**Time until first decision** (original submissions since June 2017): Average days: 76.5 (N=439) 

14 

SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



## **Time to Accept** (since June 2017): 

Research articles (N=191): _M_ =266 days (SD=166 days); range: 1–980 days. Book reviews/conference reports (N=19): _M_ =25 days (SD=50.12 days); range: 0–182 days. 

## **Rejection/acceptance rate:** 

|**Year**|**Reject**|**Accept **|
|---|---|---|
|2017|42.9%(N=12)|57.1%(N=16)|
|2018|42.9%(N=18)|57.1%(N=24)|
|2019|52.4%(N=22)|47.6%(N=20)|
|2020|41.7%(N=25)|58.3%(N=35)|
|2021|42.2%(N=27)|57.8%(N=37)|
|2022|52.9%(N=37)|47.1%(N=33)|
|2023|40.8%(N=29)|59.2%(N=42)|



Total: 45.1% (N=173) / 54.9% (N=211) 

## **Special Collections in progress** 

|**Special Collections in progress**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Status**|**N**|
|_1) Music Psychology Research in a Complex World_(N=13)|Accept<br>6||
||Minor revisions<br>1||
||Reject<br>6||
|_2) Explaining music with AI: Advancing the scientific_<br>_understanding of music through computation_(N=17)|Select reviewers<br>2||
||Assign reviewers<br>0||
||Awaitingreviewer scores<br>0||
||Make decision<br>0||
||Accept<br>2||
||Reject<br>8||
||Withdrawn<br>1||
||Major revision<br>0||
||Minor revision<br>4||
|_3) Music and Mental Imagery_(N=17)|Select reviewers<br>0||
||Invite reviewers<br>0||
||Assign reviewers<br>1||
||Awaitingreviewer scores<br>2||
||Accept<br>10||
||Reject<br>5||
||Major revision<br>1||
||Minor revision<br>0||
|_4) MusicLab Copenhagen ft. The Danish String Quartet_(N<br>= 10)|Assign reviewers|1|
||Awaitingreviewer scores|3|
||Minor revision|1|
||Accept|5|
||Reject|1|
|_5) Contemporary Auditory Ecosystems and Innovative_<br>_Musical Contexts: Insights into the Aesthetics and_<br>_Perception of Sonorous Objects_(N=1)|Accept|1|
|6)_Timbre: From Sound to Meaning_(N=5)|Select reviewers<br>2||
||Awaiting reviewer scores<br>3||



See https://journals.sagepub.com/page/mns/special-collections for further information. 

**Scott Bannister and Ian Cross, December 2023** 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



## **SEMPRE Conference Update, December 2023** 

## **Recent events:** 

In association with SEMPRE: 

ICMPC – Japan 

August 24–28, 2023 at Nihon University in Tokyo, Japan. (Some online access) Hosted by the JSMPC (Japanese Society on Music Perception and Cognition) and APSCOM (The Asia-Pacific Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music) http://icmpc.org/ 

In association with SEMPRE SYSMUS23 The Edge, Sheffield October 18–20 2023 https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/sysmus23/home 

## **Future Events:** 

SEMPRE Conference: Spring 2024: SEMPRE/MET Conference 14–15[th] June 2024 University of Hull (Andrew King, Evangelos Himonides, Carol Johnson, HP) 

In association with SEMPRE: ESCOM12 Andrea Schiavio and Helena Daffern Multi-Hub Conference, based in York 

SEMPRE Conference: Autumn 2024: Online Student Study Day Date TBC HP (University of Hull) 

SEMPRE Conference Spring 2025: RNCM (Jane Ginsborg, Michelle Phillips) April 9–10 2025 

## **Helen Prior and Mary Stakelum, December 2023** 

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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



**Extract from SEMPRE’s Independently examined accounts for 2022-23** 


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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



SEMPRE
BALANCE SHE
AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
2023
2022
Note
Investments
193,481
198.027
193,481
198,027
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
14
167,507
307,839
138,772
266,858
475.346
405,630
Creditors.. amounts falling due within
one year
15
173,928}
{36,946}
Net current assets
401,418
368,684
Total assèts lèss eurrant Ilabllltlas
594.899
566,711
Total net as¥ets
594,899
566,711
Charity funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
17
1,236
593,663
1,236
565,475
17
Total funds
594,899
566,711
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their
behalf by:
61
Professor Graham F Welch
Date.. 25th January 2024
The notes on pages 11 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024 MINUTES

## **Financial Summary** 


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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



## **Membership Report** (Josephine Borradaile) 


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SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



**Webmaster’s Report Professor Evangelos Himonides** 

EH reported that during 2023 the SEMPRE website continued to be healthy without a single second of downtime. In addition, all of the membership transactions and our connections with social media and SAGE have been running problem free. 

However, EH noted that all underlying technologies had reached their end-of-life, after 5 full years of robust service, and it was time to update all related server, database, PHP and CMC technologies, particularly in relation to the potential of cyber-attacks that have been happening globally, e.g. British Library attacks recently. 

EH suggested that there was a clear misunderstanding regarding aesthetics and end-user experience versus code health and security. EH has been working assiduously to prevent these and will circulate a report/proposal to the Trustees over the break outlining exactly what development is required to future proof the website. 

**Evangelos Himonides, December 2023** 

21 

SEMPRE AGM 14 June 2024  MINUTES 



**Charity number: 295670** 

## **SEMPRE** 

**UNAUDITED** 

**TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

RPGCC Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor 40 Gracechurch Street London EC3V 0BT 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **CONTENTS** 

||Page|
|---|---|
|Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers|1|
|Trustees' report|2 - 6|
|Trustees' responsibilities statement|7|
|Independent examiner's report|8|
|Statement of financial activities|9|
|Balance sheet|10|
|Notes to the financial statements|11 - 25|





## **SEMPRE** 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

|Trustees|Professor Ian Cross|
|---|---|
||Professor Adam Ockelford|
||Professor Graham F Welch, Chair|
||Dr Mary Stakelum|
||Dr Alex Lamont|
|Charity registered<br>number<br>295670<br>Principal office<br>Collage Artspace 2<br>4 Coburg Road<br>London<br>N22 6UI<br>Secretary<br>Professor Adam Ockelford<br>Treasurer<br>Dr Karen Burland-Clark<br>Accountants<br>RPGCC<br>Chartered Accountants<br>40 Gracechurch Street<br>London<br>EC3V 0BT<br>Financial Advisers<br>SCM Private LLP<br>Waverley Court<br>Wilteil Road<br>Lichfield<br>Staffordshire<br>WS14 9ET<br>Independent Examiner<br>Jeremy Tyrrell<br>RPGCC<br>40 Gracechurch Street<br>London<br>EC3V 0BT||



Page 1 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2023. 

The financial statements comply 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) (effective from 1 January 2019) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and Charities Act 2011. 

## **Objects and Activities** 

The object of the Society is the advancement of education and research concerning the Psychology of Music and Music Education for the benefit of people throughout the world. 

In furtherance of the above object, but not further or otherwise, the Society through its Trustees, has the following powers: 

- To bring together, through the medium of regular regional, national and international conferences and associated publications (in print and electronic forms), researchers, policy makers and practitioners in the field of music education and music psychology and contingent fields arts and sciences who may be working in comparative isolation, and to foster a positive relationship between practising music teachers, music psychologists, music therapists, community musicians, other practitioners, policy makers and researchers and their respective fields of activity; 

- To support, in any appropriate way, research undertaken in the psychology of music and music education by members of the Society and others working in the field. This may include financial support at the discretion of the Trustees, should funds be available (for example, for the SEMPRE Awards programme); 

- To enable individuals involved in research to inform others about their work and obtain comment and criticism; 

- To publish periodically journals, including the Society’s current journals as at the date of adoption of this Constitution (being the following: ‘Psychology of Music’, ‘Research Studies in Music Education’ and ‘Music and Science’), either acting alone or with an appropriate internationally recognised publisher; 

- To publish book series, including as at the date of adoption of this Constitution ‘SEMPRE Studies in the Psychology of Music’; 

- To make grants, awards or loans of money and to give guarantees; 

- To co-operate with other bodies; 

- To raise funds (but not by means of taxable trading); 

- To borrow money and give security for loans (but only in accordance with the restrictions imposed by the Charities Act 2011 (as amended or re-enacted from time to time)); 

- To acquire or hire property of any kind; 

Page 2 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

- To let or dispose of property of any kind (but only in accordance with the restrictions imposed by the Charities Act 2011 (as amended or re-enacted from time to time)); 

- To set aside funds for special purposes or as reserves against future expenditure; 

- To deposit or invest in funds in any manner (but to invest only after obtaining such advice from a financial expert as the Trustees consider necessary and having regard to the suitability of investments and the need for diversification); 

- To delegate the management of investments to a financial expert, but only on terms that: 

   - i) the investment policy is recorded in writing for the financial expert by the Trustees; ii) every transaction is reported promptly to the Trustees; 

   - iii) the performance of the investments is reviewed regularly with the Trustees; 

   - iv) the Trustees are entitled to cancel the delegation arrangement at any time 

   - v) the investment policy and the delegation arrangement are reviewed at least once a year; vi) all payments due to the financial expert are on a scale or at a level which is agreed in advance and are reported promptly to the Trustees on receipt; 

   - vii) the financial expert must not do anything outside the powers of the Trustees; 

- To insure the property of the Society against any foreseeable risk and take out other insurance policies to protect the Society when required; 

- To employ paid or unpaid agents, staff or advisers; 

- To enter into contracts to provide services to or on behalf of other bodies; 

- To establish or acquire subsidiary companies to assist or act as agents for the Society; 

- To do all such other things as shall further the object of the Society. 

## **Public benefit** 

SEMPRE is achieving public benefit by assisting in the advancement and promotion of education and research concerning the Psychology of Music and Music Education for the benefit of people throughout the world. 

## **Achievements and Performance** 

The calendar year 2023 continued to demonstrate evidence of the ongoing success of the Society. 

Our three academic journals are published commercially by Sage, namely Psychology of Music, Research Studies in Music Education, and Music and Science (an online only journal). Subscriptions remain healthy, showing an increase on 2022, in line with an increase in article submissions and over 700,000 article downloads. The net income from the journal subscriptions provides the bulk of our annual resources for distribution as a charity. Our charitable works include small research grants for individuals and groups, and support for academic conference attendance by those who are students and unwaged. We also provide funding to research conference organisers, particularly to help them to ensure remote access via electronic media for those who live at considerable distance away. We also have our Routledge published SEMPRE Studies in The Psychology of Music now has 46 titles in the series, with more books in press and under review. . 

Page 3 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

Our portfolio of charitable awards has continued, now totalling £1.058m since its inception in 2004/5 (to Dec 2023), with support for major global conferences in the planning phase for 2024.  The coming year (2024) will see a review of the awards programme and an updating of the website, as well as revisions and additions to our journal editorial boards. Overall, 2023 was another very successful year. 

## **Investment Policy and Performance** 

In accordance with the trust’s constitution, the trustees have the power to deposit or invest funds, employ a professional fund-manager and arrange for the investment or other property of the trust to be held in the name of a nominee subject to the Trustee Act 2000. The bulk of the trust’s free reserves are currently held in a common investment fund managed by SCM Private LLP. 

## **Financial Review** 

The Trust had total net income, as defined in the Statement of Recommended Practice, for the year of £134,170 (2023: £28,188). 

This is after taking into account the effects of net gains on investments of £9,700 (March 2023: net loss of £8,805). Net income before investment gains was a £124,470 (March 2023: £36,993). 

## **Reserves Policy** 

Funds which are not required for immediate use (including those which will be required for use at a future date) must be placed on deposit or invested until needed. 

The charity maintains sufficient, but not excessive, reserves in order to continue its charitable objectives in the foreseeable future. 

## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

The Society is constituted under a Constitution originally agreed at the AGM on 13th April 2002 and subsequently revised on 29th July 2016. 

The Society consists of the members, the Trustees, and the Committee, which includes the Officers of the Society. 

## The Trustees 

The Trustees that served during the year were as follows; 

Professor Ian Cross Dr Alex Lamont Professor Adam Ockleford Dr  Mary Stakelum Professor Graham F Welch, Chair 

The Trustees have responsibility for the general management and administration of the Society. 

Page 4 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

The Trustees may delegate any of their powers or functions to committees consisting of two or more individuals appointed by them (but at least two members of every committee must be a Trustee) and all proceedings of committees must be recorded in the minute book and reviewed regularly by the Trustees. They may impose conditions when delegating and may revoke or alter a delegation at any time. 

There shall be at least three, but not more than five, Trustees. 

Trustees are appointed by the Committee from among its number. Each Trustee holds office until the fifth anniversary of his or her appointment, when he or she must retire but shall be eligible for reappointment. 

Every Trustee, after appointment or re-appointment, must sign a declaration of willingness to act as a charity trustee of the Society. 

A retiring Trustee or member of the Committee is entitled on written request to an indemnity from the Society in respect of any liabilities properly incurred while he or she held office. 

The Chair of Trustees is appointed by the Trustees from their number, and may be removed from that office by the Trustees at any time. A person can serve at the same time as both the Chair of Trustees and the Chair of the Committee. The Chair of Trustees does not automatically cease to be a Trustee as a result of ceasing to be the Chair of Trustees. 

## The Committee 

The Committee, as established by the Trustees, has responsibility for supporting the Trustees in their management and administration of the Society. 

The Trustees delegate such powers to the Committee in relation to management and administration of the Society as the Trustees deem fit from time to time. Such delegation includes the following powers: 

- To appoint, from among its number, the Trustees. 

- To make standing orders consistent with this Constitution to govern proceedings at General Meetings. 

- To make rules consistent with this Constitution to govern its proceedings and proceedings of committees (including itself). 

- To make regulations consistent with this Constitution to govern the administration of the Society including the operation of bank accounts and the commitment of funds. 

- To resolve, or establish procedures to assist the resolution of, disputes within theSociety. 

The Committee consists of the Chair of the Committee as elected by the members, the other Honorary Officers of the Society as elected by the members; the Lay Officers, who are lay members elected by members with specific designated roles; up to two Doctoral Student 

Page 5 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

Representatives, nominated by members and appointed by the Committee; and any individuals coopted by the Committee to fill any vacancies arising. 

The Honorary and Lay Officers of the Society have such roles and duties as may be determined from time to time by the Trustees (or the Committee, where it has been given due delegated authority by the Trustees). 

The Honorary Officers of the Society (all of whom serve on the Committee) comprise the Chair of the Committee, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Editors of the Society’s Journals, and such other persons to fulfil such honorary positions as may be approved by the members at General Meeting from time to time (whether following a proposal of the Trustees, the Committee or of the members). 

In the event of any casual vacancy on the Committee, the Committee has the power to co-opt a member to fill the vacancy; such a co-opted member shall exercise the full rights of a member of the Committee and serve until the next Annual General Meeting, at the end of which he or she must retire but shall become eligible for election by the members. 

The Trustees have considered the risks to which SEMPRE is exposed. The major risk concerns the continued demand for the charity’s publications and the Trustees consider that the risk of a fall in subscriptions is mitigated by: 

A Board of Trustees with the necessary experience and competence to ensure continued research and the subsequent publishing of findings and opinions in the publications that are relevant to practitioners and researchers in the fields of music education and music psychology, both individually and combined. 

Regular Trustees’ meetings with effective reporting to ensure proper review of Operations, Achievement and Performance. 

Regular and positive engagement with our international commercial publishing partners to ensure the fitness of our publication portfolio. 

## **Going Concern** 

With solid levels of reserves, a firm control over expenditure, and in the absence of any material uncertainties over the Charity’s ability to continue, it is considered by the Trustees to be a going concern for the forthcoming year and the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts. 

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2023. 

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by: 

................................................ **Professor Graham F Welch** 


Date: 31 October 2024 

Page 6 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial  which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102); 

- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. 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. 

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by: 

................................................ **Professor Graham F Welch** Trustee 


Date: 31 October 2024 

Page 7 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

## Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of SEMPRE ('the charity') 

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2023. 

Responsibilities and Basis of Report 

As the Trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). 

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. 

## Independent Examiner's Statement 

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with 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 (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn. 

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no 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 charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 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 (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as 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 in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Signed: 


Dated: 31.10.2024 

Jeremy Tyrrell (FCA) 

40 Gracechurch Street London EC3V 0BT 

Page 8 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

|Note<br>**Income from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>4<br>Charitable activities<br>5<br>Investments<br>6<br>Other income<br>7<br>**Total income**<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities<br>8<br>**Total expenditure**<br>**Net income before net gains/(losses)**<br>**on investments**<br>Net gains/(losses) on investments<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Net movement in funds<br>**Total funds carried forward**|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>Period<br>31 December<br>2023<br>£<br>15,000<br>163,992<br>3,906<br>6,039<br>188,937<br>64,467<br>64,467<br>124,470<br>9,700<br>134,170<br>593,663<br>134,170<br>727,833|Restricted<br>funds<br>Period<br>31 December<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,236<br>-<br>1,236|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31 December<br>2023<br>£<br>15,000<br>163,992<br>3,906<br>6,039<br>188,937<br>64,467<br>64,467<br>124,470<br>9,700<br>134,170<br>594,899<br>134,170<br>729,069|Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>166,455<br>5,365<br>5|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||171,825<br>134,832|
|||||134,832<br>36,993<br>(8,805)|
|||||28,188<br>566,711<br>28,188|
|||||594,899|



The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period. 

The notes on pages 11 to 25 form part of these financial statements. 

Page 9 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

|Note<br>Investments<br>13<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>14<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within<br>one year<br>15<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Total assets less current liabilities**<br>**Total net assets**<br>**Charity funds**<br>Restricted funds<br>17<br>Unrestricted funds<br>17<br>**Total funds**|153,799<br>386,967<br>540,766<br>(16,655)|31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>204,958<br>204,958<br>524,111<br>729,069<br>729,069<br>1,236<br>727,833<br>729,069|167,507<br>307,839<br>475,346<br>(73,928)|31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>193,481|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||193,481<br>401,418|
|||||594,899|
|||||594,899<br>1,236<br>593,663|
|||||594,899|



The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: 


................................................ 

**Professor Graham F Welch** Trustee Date: 31 October 2024 

The notes on pages 11 to 25 form part of these financial statements. 

Page 10 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

1. General information 

SEMPRE is a registered charity, charity number 295670. Its principal office is Collage Artspace 2, 4 Coburg Road, London N22 6UI.  The objective of the charity remained the advancement of education and research concerning the Psychology of Music and Music Education for the benefit of people throughout the world. 

## 2. Accounting policies 

## 2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. 

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. 

SEMPRE meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. 

## 2.2 Income 

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. 

The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the charity has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the charity, can be reliably measured. 

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable. 

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service. 

Page 11 



**SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 

## 2.3 Expenditure 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. 

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs. 

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT. 

## 2.4 Interest receivable 

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited. 

## 2.5 Investments 

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities. 

## 2.6 Debtors 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered.  Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. 

## 2.7 Cash at bank and in hand 

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. 

Page 12 



**SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 

## 2.8 Liabilities and provisions 

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. 

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. 

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost. 

## 2.9 Financial instruments 

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## 2.10Fund accounting 

The charity only has general funds.  General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. 

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund. 

## 2.11Cash Flow Exemption 

The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is entitled to exemption to provide such a statement. 

Page 13 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment 

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions: 

The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.  However, for the period ended 31 December 2023, the trustees are of the view that there are no estimates or assumptions that  carry the risk of having a material impact on the accounts. 

## 4. Income from donations and legacies 

|Donations<br>Legacies|Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>15,000<br>15,000|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>15,000<br>15,000|Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||-|



Page 14 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

5. Income from charitable activities 

|Royalties<br>Individual memberships<br>Conference contributions<br>Total 2023<br>Royalties<br>Individual memberships<br>Conference contributions<br>Total 2023|Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>149,222<br>1,740<br>13,030<br>163,992<br>Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>162,107<br>1,968<br>2,380<br>166,455|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>149,222<br>1,740<br>13,030<br>163,992<br>Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>162,107<br>1,968<br>2,380<br>166,455|
|---|---|---|



Page 15 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

6. Investment income 

|Dividends<br>Interest<br>Dividends<br>Interest|Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>3,490<br>416<br>3,906<br>Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>5,317<br>48<br>5,365|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>3,490<br>416<br>3,906<br>Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>5,317<br>48<br>5,365|
|---|---|---|



Page 16 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

7. Other incoming resources 

|Other incoming resources<br>Other incoming resources|Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>6,039<br>General<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>5|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>6,039<br>Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>5|
|---|---|---|



Page 17 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities 

## Summary by fund type 

|Promotion of Musical Education<br>Promotion of Musical Education|Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>64,467<br>Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>134,832|Total<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>64,467<br>Total<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>134,832|
|---|---|---|



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## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities 

|Promotion of Musical Education<br>Promotion of Musical Education|Activities<br>undertaken<br>directly<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>46,439<br>Activities<br>undertaken<br>directly<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>112,062|Support<br>costs<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>18,028<br>Support<br>costs<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>22,770|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>64,467<br>Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>134,832|
|---|---|---|---|



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## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued) 

Analysis of direct costs 

|Awards<br>Bank interest and charges<br>Conference costs<br>Editorial and website<br>Investment management<br>Sundry<br>Travel and Subsistence|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>19,002<br>362<br>-<br>18,756<br>769<br>7,550<br>-<br>46,439|Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>89,426<br>1,145<br>1,032<br>19,187<br>989<br>1,291<br>(1,008)|
|---|---|---|
|||112,062|



Analysis of support costs 

|Administration<br>Independent Examination<br>Rent<br>IT<br>Insurance<br>Trustees expenses|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>8,282<br>3,306<br>5,070<br>921<br>422<br>27<br>18,028|Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>10,921<br>2,912<br>6,660<br>1,235<br>719<br>323|
|---|---|---|
|||22,770|



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## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

## 10. Governance costs 

|Accountancy fees & Independent examination<br>Accountancy fees & Independent examination|Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>3,306<br>Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>3,474|Total<br>funds<br>Period<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>3,306<br>Total<br>funds<br>Year<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>3,474|
|---|---|---|



## 11. Staff costs 

The average number of persons employed by the charity during the period was as follows: 

||Period|||
|---|---|---|---|
||31||Year|
||December|31|March|
||2023||2023|
||No.||No.|
|Trustees|5||5|



No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year. Key management comprises the Trustees. 

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## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

12. Trustees' remuneration and expenses 

During the period, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL). 

During the period ended 31 December 2023, expenses totalling £NIL were reimbursed or paid directly to any Trustee (2023 - £323 to 1 Trustee). Trustees expenses as disclosed in Note 9 represent a prepayment from the previous year, recognised as expenditure in the current period. 

13. Fixed asset investments 

|Cost or valuation<br>At 1 April 2023<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>Revaluations<br>At 31 December 2023<br>Net book value<br>At 31 December 2023<br>At 31 March 2023|Listed<br>investments<br>£<br>193,481<br>48,484<br>(46,707)<br>9,700<br>204,958<br>204,958<br>193,481|
|---|---|



14. Debtors 

|Due within one year<br>Other debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income|31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>153,799<br>-<br>153,799|31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>167,058<br>449|
|---|---|---|
|||167,507|



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## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 

|Trade creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income<br>Financial instruments<br>Financial assets<br>Financial assets measured at fair value through income and<br>expenditure|31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>3,120<br>13,535<br>16,655<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>204,958|31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>73,928|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||73,928|
|||31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>193,481|



16. Financial instruments 

Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure comprise the  charity's investment portfolio. 

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## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

17. Statement of funds 

Statement of funds - current period 

|Unrestricted funds<br>General Funds - all funds<br>Restricted funds<br>Support for Afghanistan<br>Total of funds|Balance at 1<br>April 2023<br>£<br>593,663<br>1,236<br>594,899|Income<br>£<br>188,937<br>-<br>188,937|Expenditure<br>£<br>(64,467)<br>-<br>(64,467)|Gains/<br>(Losses)<br>£<br>9,700<br>-<br>9,700|Balance at<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>727,833<br>1,236<br>729,069|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|



Restricted funds represent donations collected to support communities in Afghanistan.  The amounts are currently still held in full by the charity and the trustees have transferred them to a charity supporting Afghanistan in May 2024. 

Statement of funds - prior period 

|Balance at<br>1 April 2022<br>£<br>Unrestricted funds<br>General Funds - all funds<br>565,475<br>Restricted funds<br>Support for Afghanistan<br>1,236<br>Total of funds<br>566,711|Income<br>£<br>Expenditure<br>£<br>171,825<br>(134,832)<br>-<br>-<br>171,825<br>(134,832)|Gains/<br>(Losses)<br>£<br>(8,805)<br>-<br>(8,805)|Balance at<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>593,663|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,236|
||||594,899|



Page 24 



## **SEMPRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

## 18. Analysis of net assets between funds 

Analysis of net assets between funds - current period 

|Fixed asset investments<br>Current assets<br>Creditors due within one year<br>Total|Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>204,958<br>539,530<br>(16,655)<br>727,833|Restricted<br>funds<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>1,236<br>-<br>1,236|Total<br>funds<br>31<br>December<br>2023<br>£<br>204,958<br>540,766<br>(16,655)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||729,069|



Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period 

|Fixed asset investments<br>Current assets<br>Creditors due within one year<br>Total|Un-<br>restricted<br>funds<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>193,481<br>474,110<br>(73,928)<br>593,663|Restricted<br>funds<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>1,236<br>-<br>1,236|Total<br>funds<br>31 March<br>2023<br>£<br>193,481<br>475,346<br>(73,928)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||594,899|



## 19. Related party transactions 

There were no related party transactions during the year (period ended 31 March 2023: none other than those disclosed in Note 12). 

Page 25