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2021-06-30-accounts

RCO Annual Report & Accounts Year end 30 June 2021

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Annual Report & Accounts Year end 30 June 2021

Incorporated by Royal Charter Charity Registration No. 312847

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RCO Annual Report & Accounts Year end 30 June 2021

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Reference and Administrative Details

Professional Advisers

The professional advisers and consultants during the College Year 2020/2021 were as follows:

Bankers

Messrs C. Hoare and Co. 37 Fleet Street London EC4P 4DQ

Investment Managers

Auditors

Brewin Dolphin Limited 12 Smithfield Street London EC1A 9BD Moore Kingston Smith LLP Devonshire House 60 Goswell Road London EC1M 7AD

Legal Consultants

Registered Address

Farrer and Co. LLP 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields London WC2A 3LH The Royal College of Organists 118 Pall Mall London SW1Y 5ED

RCO Annual Report & Accounts Year end 30 June 2021

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The President, Members of the Trustee Council, and Staff in the period 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2021

President

Gerard Brooks MA, FRCO

President Elect

David Hill MBE, MA, DMus, FRCO, HonRCO

Trustee Council

Sara Benbow LLB Gerard Brooks MA, FRCO (President to 30 June 2022) Katherine Dienes-Williams BA, MA, BMus, FRCO, ARSCM, KSL Catherine Ennis MA, HonRCO (until 22 October 2020) Andrew Gillett The Lord Glenarthur DL (Chairman to 30 June 2021) David Hill MBE, MA, DMus, FRCO, HonRCO (President Elect from 1 July 2021) Carl Jackson MVO, MA, FRCO (from 1 July 2021) Christopher Kent MMus, PhD, FSA, FRCO (until 30 June 2021) Stephen King BSc, FCCA, FRCO (until 30 June 2021) The Lord Lisvane KCB, DL, MA (Chairman from 1 July 2021) Christopher Morris Philip Moore BMus, DUniv, FRCO, FRSCM Daniel Moult MA, FRCO Katharine Pardee MM, DMA, DPhil Robert Sharpe MA, FRCO (from 1 July 2021) Michael Steen OBE, HonRCM (until 22 October 2020) Tom Winpenny MA, FRCO, DipCHD Peter Wright MA, FRCO(CHM) (from 21 January 2021)

Clerk to the Trustee Council

Mark Brafield MA, FTCL, FRCO

Chief Executive

Sir Andrew Parmley BMus, MMus, PhD, FRCO(CHM)

Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Studies, & Director, RCO Midlands and Mid/South/West Wales Andrew McCrea BMus, MMus, ARCO

Director, RCO East, South and South-West England

Simon Williams BA, FRCO

Director, RCO North of England, North Wales, and Isle of Man

Tom Bell BMus/GradRNCM, PGDip

Director, RCO Scotland and RCO Northern Ireland

Andrew Macintosh MA, MPhil, ARCO, LRSM

Chief Examiner

Stephen Farr MA, MPhil, PhD, FRCO

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For the purpose of attaining the Objects, but not further or otherwise, the College may exercise thirty-two specified powers set out in the Royal Charter.

Report of the Trustees year end 30 June 2021

Review of Activities

Governance

Structure, Governance, and Management of the Royal College of Organists

Founded in 1864 as the College of Organists, the College was graciously granted a Royal Charter and Byelaws on 23 November 1893. The Charter and Byelaws were most recently amended on 8 July 2009 with approval of the Privy Council and the Charity Commission (Charity Registration Number 312847). Copies are available on the College’s website (www. rco.org.uk) and in print on application to the College.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland issued in July 2014. The accounting policies are set out on pages 26–35.

The affairs of the College are governed by the Trustee Council constituted in accordance with the Byelaws (2009). The Trustee Council is the trustee body in accordance with the Charities Act. The day-to-day management of the College is delegated to the Chief Executive and the senior management team.

Objects of the College

The Objects for which the College is incorporated are:

The College’s Annual General Meeting took place online on 13 March 2021. The meeting received the Annual Report of the Trustee Council and adopted the audited accounts for the year ending 30 June 2020.

The Trustee Council Chairman reported that membership had held up well during the year, albeit slightly reduced, and he thanked Viscount Organs for their continuing sponsorship of the College. Applications for the three diploma strands remained encouragingly high.

Turning to the accounts, the last quarter of the year ending 30 June 2020 had been unpredictable; a fall in the value of the College’s investment portfolio had been recorded.

Total income, however, remained solid and expenditure was broadly in line with the previous year. As a result, total funds carried forward were only about £184,000 less than the previous year with the investment portfolio standing at £2,987,461. Donations, legacies, and bequests play a large part in the College’s financial resources and it had been pleasing to see that these had grown from £90,000 to £157,000 in the last year. None could have foreseen what lay ahead, but the College’s financial position remained stronger than might have been anticipated, due to the prudent avoidance of unnecessary expenditure.

The Chairman thanked the College’s management team and contractors/advisers for the speed and efficiency with which they moved over to a digital offering, including the complete examination syllabus. The Chairman extended his thanks to the Trustees for their guidance and support, particularly to Michael Steen, who had retired, and to Stephen King and Christopher Kent as they left the Council in June 2021. He thanked Vice-Presidents Martin Neary and Simon Lindley as they stood down and welcomed Peter Wright and Philip Moore as they returned to the Council in their places. Finally, he welcomed Carl Jackson and Robert Sharpe who had been successful in the recent election and who would be joining the Council as elected Trustees with effect from 1 July 2021. The Chairman thanked Mark Brafield for his diligent work as Clerk to the Trustee Council.

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.7 Year end 30 June 2021

The College had been deeply saddened by the death of Ms Catherine Ennis HonRCO in December 2020. A former President and member of the Trustee Council, she had brought a wonderful sense of fun and style to everything she did, particularly to her work with young organists. She would be greatly missed.

The Chairman closed with his thanks to all for their support over his four years in the chair which he had enjoyed greatly. He would be handing over to Lord Lisvane, but looked forward to continuing to serve for a further year as a Trustee. The President repeated his thanks for those Trustees who would be stepping down in May 2021, and particularly thanked Lord Glenarthur for his assured guidance as he approached the end of his unprecedented term of four years as Chairman. The President added his thanks to all of the Trustees for their contribution to the College’s operation during the year and to the members for their continued support.

The Trustee Council appoints four Boards to oversee specific areas of activity:

1. Academic Board

The governance of the academic affairs of the College is vested in the Academic Board, which is appointed by the Trustee Council in consultation with the Chief Executive and the senior management team. It comprises the senior management team and a number of practitioners and scholars co-opted for their expertise and professional experience in the sector. The Board is chaired by the Chief Executive. The powers of the Academic Board encompass the design, maintenance, and review of accreditation/ examination syllabuses and procedures, and the design, maintenance, and review of the RCO’s education programme. The Board has oversight of quality assurance matters, and of library and learning services, and it monitors member and customer satisfaction.

The College’s Trustee Council (the trustee body) met four times during the year 2020/2021, in July and October 2020, and in January and May 2021. In response to the Covid-19 emergency, the Council organised all of its meetings in the year 2020/2021 online. The online working had commenced at the end of College year 2019/2020.

The members of the Board in 2020/2021 were: Richard Brasier, Tansy Castledine, Stephen Farr (Chief Examiner), Pam Hulme, Simon Johnson, Andrew Macintosh, Andrew McCrea (Director of Studies/Secretary), Sir Andrew Parmley (Chief Executive/Chairman), David Pipe, Ghislaine ReeceTrapp, Robert Sholl, and Simon Williams.

The Trustee Council’s current personnel are as listed on page 5 of this report. The Council accepts ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the College and for ensuring that it is solvent, well run, and delivering the objects of the Royal Charter. It has a number of clearly defined duties and responsibilities, in the areas of compliance, prudence, and care.

2. Appointments and Awards Board

The Appointments and Awards Board, chaired by the President, meets to oversee the College’s scheme of honorary awards and to monitor the processes whereby appointments are made. The Appointments and Awards Board is appointed by the Trustee Council.

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The members of this Board in 2020/2021 were: Gerard Brooks (President/Chairman), Stephen Farr (Chief Examiner), The Lord Glenarthur (Chairman, Trustee Council), Dr Christopher Kent (Trustee), Andrew McCrea (Deputy Chief Executive), Daniel Moult (Trustee), and Sir Andrew Parmley (Chief Executive). The Clerk to the Trustee Council (Mark Brafield) is in attendance.

3. Finance Committee & 4. The RCO Foundation

During the year the Trustees took the decision to establish two new sub-committees: the Finance Committee, charged with looking at every aspect of the College’s expenditure, under the chairmanship of Stephen King; and the RCO Foundation, a new focus group of experts in fund-raising, chaired by past Chairman of Trustees Prof. Chris Wood. Both committees have already made a huge difference to the College’s work, with the Finance Committee scrutinising our monthly accounts and looking for better ways to maximise the return on our investments, and the Foundation establishing the ‘Friends of the RCO’ to replace the Anniversary Circle and working on a range of fundraising activities.

Performance, achievements and plans for the future

“To promote and advance the arts and practice of organ playing and choral directing and related activities to the highest standards of competence and artistry.”

Membership

Recognising the significant impact of the economic situation and the pandemic, subscription rates were frozen at £110 for Full Membership and £55 for Student and Concessionary Membership.

We continue to enjoy the sponsorship of Viscount Classical Organs, who offer a year’s RCO subscription to their new customers. 931 members subscribed using Gift Aid (50%). 947 members now pay their subscriptions by Direct Debit (51%).

During the course of the year we undertook a major overhaul of our membership database and billing systems, allowing us much greater flexibility to add new membership categories, to offer discounts and joining offers, and to move away from a fixed membership year to a rolling 12-month expiry. In previous years, this section has reported the data from the membership renewal exercise on 30 June each year. From this year onwards, it represents a snapshot of the active membership data on 30 June.

The annual President’s Appeal ran for the twelfth time in 2020/2021. The appeal raised £5,962 net of Gift Aid. In addition, the Anniversary Circle continues to grow in membership and its members donated £4,820 during the year. The new Friends of the RCO group generated £10,350.

2021/2022

Membership of the College is open to all. The College will build on the positive news about higher membership numbers over the last five years as it continues to develop and enhance its membership offer. The College will continue to maximise the income from the Gift Aid scheme. Subscription payment by Direct Debit will be encouraged as it offers significant efficiency savings, as does the use of the online subscription facility.

2020/2021

In June 2021, membership of the College was as follows: Full Members, 1,444; Student Members, 287; Affiliate Student Members, 21; Life, Honorary, and Complimentary Members, 297; Concessionary Members, 44; Affiliate AGO Members, 51; Affiliate RCCO Members, 12.

There were 229 new memberships during the College year 2020/2021, compared to 131 in 2019/2020. This considerable increase has been driven by a number of factors including the College’s proactive response to the pandemic. Specifically, the number includes 20 who took up the 40% joining discount offered to iRCO users when the free period ended, as well as those joining the new AGO and RCCO Affiliate categories, which were offered for the first time this year. Excluding those new Affiliate categories, the paying membership still increased from 1,701 in June 2020 to 1,796 in June 2021, an increase of just under 5%.

The subscription rates for the 2021/2022 College year have been increased by a small amount to £112 for Full Membership and £56 for Student Membership.

Partnerships

The College has continued to develop new and exciting relationships with both creative and corporate partners during the year. Amongst the thirty-or-so new such partnerships a number deserve mention. The College was proud to be working with the Society of Women Organists (SWO) and their great initiative to hold a ‘Play a Woman Composer’ day in March 2021 (6 March 2022 is the next celebration). Our close friendship with the American Guild of Organists (AGO) has resulted in many opportunities to share best practices ‘across the Pond’ and a similar relationship has been forged with the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO) during the last year. We have long worked in tandem with the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), but this

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.9 Year end 30 June 2021

partnership has recently intensified as both organisations collaborate over a new menu of choir-training diplomas. Perhaps most significantly, the RCO is now working very closely with the Musicians’ Union (MU) to provide our members with a range of top-quality professional benefits.

Honours

The Medal of the Royal College of Organists (HonRCO)

The RCO Medal is awarded periodically to recognise distinguished achievement in one or more areas of organand choral-related activity; it is also available to recognise distinguished service to the College. The Appointments and Awards Board meets to consider nominations received from various College constituencies, and recommendations are then made to the Trustee Council. In 2021, the RCO Medal was awarded to Prof. Jon Laukvik, Mr Gareth Malone OBE, and Prof. Francis Pott. The presentations will be made at a rescheduled Conferment Ceremony at Southwark Cathedral in March 2022. Details of 2022’s honorands are scheduled for release on or around 1 January 2022.

Honorary Life Membership of the Royal College of Organists (HonLMRCO)

The Trustee Council has instituted an honorary award in recent years: Honorary Life Membership (HonLMRCO). In the gift of the College’s Trustee Council, this award marks distinguished service to the College and recognises individuals who bring credit to the RCO in the wider world. Prof. Christopher Wood was the recipient of this special membership in 2021.

The College’s National and International Profile

April 2021 saw the birth of The Organ Show (TOS), a weeklong celebration, in one-hour programmes, of the organ in all its manifestations on the College’s YouTube Channel. The Organ Show replaced the original concept of a week of live events (circumstances put paid to that). The series culminated in interNational Organ Day, a world-wide celebration which has taken on its own identity with organists everywhere wishing one another ‘Happy interNational Organ Day’. The Organ Show has become an additional brand of the RCO and a series of TOS-Extras has already been aired with many more bespoke editions to follow. 2022’s interNational Organ Day will take place on 23 April, when the RCO will continue its unique work in bringing the global family of organists together.

Communications and Marketing

The College uses a broad range of print and digital channels

as part of a communication strategy which emphasises the creation of strong, relevant, and interesting content for organists and choral directors.

RCO News continues to be a centrepiece of our member communications, supported by the iRCO StopPress online magazine for complementary material better suited to the digital format. Our email publications RCO e-News (member only) and RCO e-Diary (open subscription) are issued monthly to our mailing lists; we have focused on building these lists over the last 12 months and they now contain a combined total of 4,800 addresses.

Our social media presence also continues to grow, with our total audience via Facebook and Twitter growing by 11% in 2020/2021, reaching 5,231. Through these channels our updates were able to register 441,378 impressions (up 23%), 26,338 engagements (up 37%), and 4,634 clicks (up 17%) through to our content. Even more significant during the 2020/2021 year was the development of our YouTube channel where, thanks in large part to the success of interNational Organ Day and The Organ Show , we achieved a ten-fold increase in views and a 237% rise in subscribers, to 2,727.

Social media activity is one of many ways in which we drive engagement with the College’s websites during the year. The main RCO website (www.rco.org.uk) welcomed 43,117 visitors and hosted 76,069 sessions during the year, an increase of 7% and 9% respectively.

Member Benefits and Services

Developing member services and improving the membership experience has continued to be a priority for the College team throughout 2020/2021.

During the year we implemented many of the new features and functions enabled by previous investment in membership database and customer relationship software development.

To make it easier for people to join the College in a way which suits them best, we introduced a new flexible 12-month subscription period (departing from the fixedCollege-year system which had long hindered the recruitment of new members at various points in the year).

We introduced new membership packages to be offered via partner and affiliate organisations such as the American Guild of Organists, Royal Canadian College of Organists, and our own RCO accredited institutions and teachers. To further drive new memberships, we were also able for the first time to target key market segments with specific discount offers (see Covid-19 Response, below, as an example).

iRCO, the College’s digital content hub, continues to be an important and valued benefit for many members, and again we have increased investment in new content for the

NRCO

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.11 Year end 30 June 2021

platform. While the 15,277 recorded sessions were down on the record activity levels of 2019/2020, that year’s figures had been artificially lifted by the three-month Covid-19 offer of free access for all. For a better indication of the long-term growth of the iRCO platform we would highlight the 43% increase in user sessions since College year 2018/2019. There are now more than 400 pieces of quality learning content on iRCO, including films, papers, publications, articles, and other downloads.

In June 2021 we announced a new joint membership offer with the Musicians’ Union, allowing RCO members to join the MU for 50% of the usual rate. This permanent and ongoing discount means that the cost of an RCO + Joint MU membership is now the same as a single MU membership – a 2-for-1 package which provides excellent value to members. We have integrated this offer into an updated and improved portfolio of professional services for members. This can be found on the College website under the title ‘Professional Support’, and takes its place alongside ‘Learning’ and ‘Accreditation’ as a core part of our proposition to current and prospective members.

Feedback from members and other customers provides an essential platform for continual improvement. Our customer satisfaction and feedback processes remain at the heart of our planning and service development, and we have been particularly encouraged by the high satisfaction ratings received on the range of new digital services introduced as a result of the pandemic restrictions. Across all our activity, our ongoing Net Promoter Score (which encapsulates the balance between positive and negative feedback) remains an exceptional +76.

Covid-19 Response

The Covid-19 pandemic continued to influence marketing and communication activity through much of 2020/2021.

The majority of measures we put in place at the start of the crisis were continued into – and often through – the new College year: we carried on publishing regular ‘Learning During Lockdown’ articles; we signposted important legal and financial resources in our communications; we held free webinars covering important examination material and skills; we continued our investment in high-quality iRCO learning films; and we published a regular and free Covid-19 update email through to the end of December 2020.

Among the many new digital initiatives introduced through this period, the RCO Winter Conference (February 2021) and The Organ Show (April 2021) were particularly significant in broadening awareness, engagement, and the international reach of the College.

When the initial three-month lockdown offer of free iRCO access for everyone came to an end, we contacted all guest users with an unprecedented offer of 40% off a new RCO membership. This resulted in 44 new memberships from those who wished to retain access to this valuable learning resource.

With the impact of the pandemic stretching throughout this College year and beyond, we have also continued to offer concessionary discounts to those members who have contacted us with details of related financial hardships.

Awards and Bursaries

The breakdown of those who have benefited from bursaries in the College year 2020/2021 is as follows:

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Bursary type Purposes Number of Value
recipients
RCO Group A Short courses 5 recipients £1,915
awards (e.g., RCO Easter
(on occasion and Summer
combined with Courses, Oun-
UGLE bursa- dle for Organists,
ries) etc.) and general
support for tui-
tion
United Grand Short courses 14 £6,000
Lodge of Eng- (e.g., RCO Easter recipients
land (UGLE) and Summer
bursaries Courses, Oundle
(on occasion for Organists.
combined with etc.) and general
RCO Group A support for tui-
awards) tion
RCO Group B To support 6 recipients £7,700
awards undergraduate
or postgraduate
study
Dr John Birch Supporting RCO 1 recipient £800
Scholarship examination
preparation
Other awards Miscellaneous 20 £19,449
recipients
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Renewed thanks are expressed to the United Grand Lodge of England, which agreed funding of £6,000 per annum for three years, from the College year 2017/2018, in order to provide bursaries for individual organ lessons and to enable attendance on short courses. This has been renewed

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from 2020 for a further period. The Plaisterers’ Company has kindly donated important funding in this College year to support the RCO-curated teaching programme #InspiringOrganists, which has been providing organ tuition in several state schools in London.

“To set and maintain proper standards in such arts for the benefit of the public.”

RCO Accreditation

Diploma Examinations

CRCO:

Statistics for complete year Summer 2020–Winter 2021 (comprising two practical sessions and one written paper session; Winter 2020 and Summer 2019 figures in brackets)

Total applications (full-entry and sectional applications, and incl. absentees): 12 (W20: 11) (S19: 16)

Aiming to complete (full-entry and sectional applications, and incl. absentees): 12 (W20: 10) (S19: 13)

Passes: 12 (W20: 3) (S19: 4)

We were fortunate in that the completion of examination year 2019/2020 was sealed at the Conferment 2020, which took place just before the first national lockdown in March 2020. As we headed towards the examination year 2020/2021 it became clear that radical transformation would be needed in order to offer accreditation during the initial stages of the pandemic. To this end, interim regulations were agreed which allowed for remote assessment practical examinations (relying on AV submission) to take place in a reconfigured Summer 2020 session, which was postponed to early September. There were no written examinations in Summer 2020, and candidates were promised a joint session in Winter 2021. By November 2020 interim regulations for both the practical and written examinations (the latter based on an open-book methodology) were put in place for the January 2021 examinations. The response was positive and it was a testament to a collaborative, collegiate spirit that candidates, examiners, and administrators cooperated to deliver a programme. The College’s approach was much valued in the sector. A Conferment of Diplomas was not possible in March 2021, but the examination successes deriving from the Summer 2020 and Winter 2021 sessions will now take place at Southwark Cathedral in March 2022.

It was pleasing to record the names of 65 members successful in RCO diploma accreditation in 2020/2021. In addition, there were five recipients of the Certificate of Accredited Membership (see below).

In 2020/2021, 12 RCO members were awarded the Colleague diploma (CRCO), 33 the Associateship diploma (ARCO), and 20 the Fellowship diploma (FRCO). 14 successful diploma candidates were in receipt of one or more examination prizes. Michael Stephens-Jones, as the highest-scoring Limpus prize-winner at Fellowship in 2020/2021, was awarded the annual Coventry Cathedral Recital Award, and was the College’s nomination for a Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Silver Medal in October 2021.

Passes in one attempt: 2 (W20: 1) (S19: 4)

Candidates examined in Organ Pieces: 6 (W20: 6) (S19: 11) Pass rate in Organ Pieces: 100% (W20: 50%) (S19: 73%) Candidates examined in Organ Tests: 10 (W20: 9) (S19: 15) Pass rate in Organ Tests: 80% (W20: 11%) (S19: 33%)

Candidates examined in the Written Paper: 6 (W20: 6) (S19: 9)

Pass rate in the Written Paper: 100% (W20: 67%) (S19: 78%)

ARCO:

Statistics for complete year Summer 2020–Winter 2021 (comprising two practical sessions and one written paper session; Winter 2020 and Summer 2019 figures in brackets)

Total applications (full-entry and sectional applications, and incl. absentees): 62 (W20: 46) (S19: 54)

Aiming to complete (full-entry and sectional applications, and incl. absentees): 50 (W20: 35) (S19: 40)

Passes: 33 (W20: 11) (S19: 16)

Passes in one attempt: 19 (W20: 3) (S19: 10)

Candidates examined in Organ Pieces: 40 (W20: 16) (S19: 35)

Pass rate in Organ Pieces: 88% (W20: 63%) (S19: 74%)

Candidates examined in Organ Tests: 43 (W20: 18) (S19: 34)

Pass rate in Organ Tests: 90% (W20: 56%) (S19: 59%)

Candidates examined in Written Paper I: 37 (W20: 19) (S19: 24)

Pass rate in Written Paper I: 76% (W20: 84%) (S19: 75%) Candidates examined in Written Paper II: 40 (W20: 18) (S19: 25)

Pass rate in Written Paper II: 83% (W20: 50%) (S19: 52%)

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RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.13
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FRCO:

Statistics for complete year Summer 2020–Winter 2021 (comprising two practical sessions and one written paper session; Winter 2020 and Summer 2019 figures in brackets)

Total applications (full-entry and sectional applications, and incl. absentees): 36 (W20: 24) (S19: 22)

Aiming to complete (full-entry and sectional applications, and incl. absentees): 29 (W20: 18) (S19: 19)

Passes: 20 (W20: 5) (S19: 8)

Passes in one attempt: 8 (W20: 3) (S19: 3)

Candidates examined in Organ Pieces: 23 (W20: 14) (S19: 13)

Pass rate in Organ Pieces: 78% (W20: 79%) (S19: 62%)

Candidates examined in Organ Tests: 21 (W20: 17) (S19: 12)

Pass rate in Organ Tests: 95% (W20: 76%) (S19: 50%)

Candidates examined in Written Paper I: 21 (W20: 11) (S19: 7)

Pass rate in Written Paper I: 76% (W20: 55%) (S19: 71%) Candidates examined in Written Paper II: 18 (W20: 11) (S19: 6)

Pass rate in Written Paper II: 67% (W20: 55%) (S19: 67%)

The regulations for the examination year 2020/2021 were published in July 2019, and those for examination year 2021/2022 in July 2020. A new set of diploma repertoire lists was published in the Regulations 2020/2021, for first examination in Summer 2020. Comments were made above about interim regulations which specified variations to the standard regulations.

The College continues to be grateful to the United Grand Lodge of England for their generosity in donating annual funds to support the examination prizes at Colleague level, including a specially named award for the highest aggregate score called The Freemasons’ Prize.

the diplomas, and it offers a discounted Year 1 membership fee for non-members.

To date (30 June 2021), 36 organists have been accredited through the CAM scheme. The majority of the applicants have used the audio-visual submission option, and this has proved attractive to a number of overseas candidates.

Accrediting Organ Teachers and Organ Teaching

The College runs a programme to accredit teachers of the organ. Following the untimely death of Catherine Ennis, the number of Accredited Teachers fell to 29. Two applicants are awaiting assessment and, despite the constraints on individual teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic, there are expressions of interest from six further teachers. Many of the existing teachers will undergo a process of reaccreditation during the College year 2021/2022.

In addition to the Accredited Teachers’ scheme, an RCO programme for accrediting institutions for their organ teaching was launched in January 2020. This programme aims to consolidate collaborations and to encourage the sharing of ideas and approaches to teaching and learning, mainly in schools; it also encourages the co-branding of activities for marketing and fundraising purposes, and it provides benefits such as access for students of accredited institutions to the RCO’s digital learning platforms and to RCO events at a discount. Students (pre-tertiary) of Accredited Institutions may join the College at a very favourable rate (as Affiliate Student Members), equivalent to half of the prevailing student membership fee. The first award of accredited status was made to the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, in January 2020. Temporary measures were introduced in the summer of 2020 and during 2020/2021 the following schools/programmes have been added to the accredited list: Radley College, Eton College, and the Young Organ Scholars’ Trust. At the end of 2020/2021 accreditation was in view for: Blue Coat School, Liverpool; City of London School; King Edward’s School, Witley; and the Junior Royal Northern College of Music. Discussions are ongoing with other schools, state and independent.

“To educate musicians in such arts and practices.”

Certificate of Accredited Membership (CAM)

This Certificate award has marked an important step towards reforming the accreditation programme so that the RCO can provide opportunities to acquire awards from the early stages to postgraduate level. CAM offers the player a developmental route from foundation level (roughly equivalent to ABRSM/TCL Grade 2) via the intermediate level (around Grade 4) to advanced level (around Grade 6). Open to all, and with flexibility in its submission procedures, the Certificate scheme provides either an end in itself or a series of stepping stones towards

RCO Learning

Regional, National, and International Engagement

The College works for the recruitment and nurturing of the next generation of young organists; supports those seeking accreditation in organ playing, organ teaching, and choral directing; provides personal and professional development for organists of all ages, levels of attainment, and aspirations; and creates opportunities for the sharing

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.15 Year end 30 June 2021

of common interests and the exploration of the organ and its associated repertoires.

In 2016, the College adopted a regionally conceived management structure. In tandem with this, engagement events and educational classes and courses have been planned and delivered on a regional basis, directors in each of the regions overseeing and delegating as appropriate to local consultants (Regional Consultants). The aims have been to grow RCO membership and increase take-up for both RCO accreditation (diplomas and the Certificate of Accredited Membership) and educational services.

The RCO regions are as follows:

RCO East/South/South-West England (Director: Simon Williams)

RCO Midlands, and Mid/South/West Wales (Director: Andrew McCrea)

RCO North of England/North Wales/Isle of Man (Director: Tom Bell)

RCO Scotland and RCO Northern Ireland (Director: Andrew Macintosh)

The reports of the regional directors on the activities in their areas follow below.

The College is grateful to all those who have agreed to act as supporting Regional Consultants in the RCO regions and for their professional expertise and support of the College’s mission.

Since the introduction of the College’s regional structure, activity has been divided between centrally organised events (including those with national and international reach), those organised locally, and those run by other organisations but with input from the College. The pandemic has meant adaptation of the regional structure in order to deliver online learning.

RCO East/South/South West England

Online learning

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented the holding of inperson events for the entire College year 2020/2021. Capitalising on the experience gained from running our first ever webinars at the end of the previous College year, a busy programme of online activity, much appreciated by members and non-members alike, took their place.

Cantrill-Fenwick, similarly attracted about 50 participants of ‘all ages and stages’ in August.

On a smaller scale the following sets of classes (usually of four or five weekly sessions) took place:

Frederick Stocken continued his webinars based on questions from the written papers for CRCO, ARCO, and FRCO, with a further seven sessions. With recordings of all the webinars and group sessions from the Easter Course available on iRCO, we now have a comprehensive set of learning materials in support of those preparing for the written papers of our diploma examinations.

Looking ahead

In January 2021, in order to give certainty in planning, the College’s management team took the decision only to offer online learning until the beginning of the academic year commencing September 2021. The Organ Student Experience and the Summer Course will, for a second successive year, run online at the end of July and beginning of August respectively. In-person events are being planned for Dorset, Kent, London, Norfolk and Suffolk to take place in the autumn, along with four sets of online webinars covering CRCO and ARCO keyboard skills and aural, and FRCO written papers. Meanwhile, the Royal Hospital School, an RCO Accredited Institution, is promoting three organ learning opportunities in partnership with the College during the coming academic year.

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RCO North of England/North Wales/Isle of Man

Tom Bell, the Director for this region, reports:

Last year’s report was written in a positive tone, acknowledging the impact of the pandemic on the College’s regional activities in 2019/2020 but focussing also on what had been achieved in the months before the first lockdown. Casting an eye on plans for the future, I had hoped that the year 2020/2021 might provide some scope for resuming physical events in the North of England, North Wales, and the Isle of Man. With physical events an impossibility, the efforts of all the Regional Directors often have been devoted to other projects encompassing the whole College. Much of my time has been devoted to considering outreach and engagement; some of the fruits of this consideration are likely to appear in 2022.

Yet regional activity did not stop entirely. As expected, and as mentioned in my report last year, Magnus Williamson wrote and presented an excellent iRCO video on Tudor music using the Wetheringsett Organ. This was produced in conjunction with the Newcastle and District Society of Organists – once again such willing and effective partners – and screened first at an NDSO event (via Zoom), before being made more generally available.

It is thrilling to report that the RCO Institutional Accreditation scheme has had an impact in the north. At the time of writing, the Liverpool Blue Coat School and the Junior Department of the Royal Northern College of Music have been accredited, with others likely to follow soon. My thanks to Sir Andrew Parmley for all his help on this front. Meanwhile, our northern Accredited Teachers continued to adapt their activities to suit the ever-changing situation, and to support one another in regular Zoom meetings. My thanks in particular to Prof. David Baker for his encouragement, and for hosting a teachers’ meeting in my absence (paternity leave). 2020/2021 was also a year in which the future of the Halifax Organ Academy, founded by David Baker, was given much consideration. The resulting developments belong to 2021/2022 and will be reported upon next year. Beyond the HOA, other lines of thought, and possible projects and relationships whose continued development had been hampered by the pandemic, are beginning to come to life again.

Events postponed during the pandemic are starting to appear in the diary, in the real hope they may actually take place. Examples include the first of a series of hymn-playing classes with William Dore, and a masterclass at Leeds Town Hall with Darius Battiwalla: the last, in fact, before that organ is dismantled. We’ll be back there in 2024 to experience the new organ as soon as we can!

RCO Midlands and Mid/South/West Wales

No events took place during 2020/2021 owing to the pandemic. Three RCO-nominated recitalists (chosen by the College on the basis of examination prizes) were chosen to represent the College at the Worcester Three Choirs Festival in 2020: Shanna Hart, Paul Greally, and Daniel Mathieson. They were able to play in the rescheduled Worcester Festival in the summer of 2021. The annual connection with the Three Choirs organisation is much valued, and it brings professional and developmental opportunities for our young professional players, most of whom are recent examination prize-winners. Events for 2021/2022 and beyond are being planned at the time of writing.

RCO Scotland and RCO Northern Ireland

No physical events took place in either part of the country during the pandemic. However, planning work continued on the College’s partnership with SCOTS (the Scottish Churches Organist Training Scheme) in preparation for the relaunch of the scheme as part of the RCO’s learning programme in autumn 2021. Two very successful virtual workshops were held for members of SCOTS and others during the winter lockdown.

RCO Library Collections

The RCO works in collaboration with two institutions to provide access to the RCO’s collections: Birmingham City University (the Curzon Library, in conjunction with the collections of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) and the Royal College of Music in London. The RCO warmly welcomes the links to these institutions. During 2020/2021 both institutions have been closed to external visitors so College library services had to be suspended. Some limited postal borrowing from the Birmingham collection became possible again in the summer of 2021. Various library related projects have also been delayed by the pandemic.

Tudor Organs

The Wetheringsett Organ has been situated at Newcastle and the Wingfield Organ at Fotheringhay Church. The Wetheringsett was used for a film about Tudor organ music (see RCO North report) and the Wingfield has been used in services and events.

RCO Journal

The Journal of the Royal College of Organists vol. 14 (2020/2021) was published in October 2021. Contributing to the College’s long-standing commitment to commissioning original research, the Journal , and previous RCO scholarly publications, became available during 2016 in the full-text version of the International Repertory of

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.17 Year end 30 June 2021

Music Literature (RILM). This issue and previous issues are also available on iRCO.

National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR)

As an entirely online service, NPOR continued to operate without disruption during the year. The level of usage, contributions, and editorial work has remained consistent, with well over 20,000 user searches every month. The College provides management and web hosting services to BIOS, the custodians of the Register. During the year work continued in conjunction with eSterling, our IT provider, to revamp the visual design of the site to meet modern standards of design and accessibility.

Investment Policy

The College investment managers, Brewin Dolphin Limited, presented their review of the investment market and the College’s portfolio at a Trustee Council meeting.

The College’s investments have performed broadly in line with expectations in what has continued to be a very challenging economic climate.

Remuneration Policy

Key staff are paid in line with staff in similar charities. Salaries are reviewed annually and revised in line with changes to workload and responsibilities.

Financial Review

The detailed College accounts follow this report. The Trustee Council reviews all aspects of the College’s finances on a regular basis. The budgetary control and the attendant management information systems are satisfactory.

Reserves Policy

General Reserves

The College will draw on reserves as required to maintain its current level of activity. In the circumstances, the Trustees believe that they should maintain reserves at the present level to meet the current and future needs of the beneficiaries. Donations and Legacies are an essential element in our income. Income under this heading has varied from year to year; this year £325,347 was received (2020: £157,216).

Unrestricted Funds

The College amalgamated the investments from the General and Library funds into the Education Fund. The purpose of having a single managed fund is to make savings in fund management fees.

Restricted and Endowment Funds

These funds are in large part endowments and the income generated is restricted to a specific use.

The total funds of the College at 30 June 2021 were £3,852,810 of which £2,150,618 were Unrestricted, £973,428 represented Restricted Funds, and £726,764 represented Endowments for particular purposes as described in note 12 of the accounts.

The College will seek to ensure that the anticipated income stream from its investments is adequate for its day-to-day operational requirements. Wherever possible, surpluses will be reinvested in the fund.

Legacies, donations, and support

The College is profoundly grateful for the generosity of those who make gifts or donate funds to assist us in our work.

For the twelfth year our annual appeal for additional donations was made alongside the request for subscriptions by the College President. This raised £5,962 net of Gift Aid.

In addition to those donating to the President’s Appeal our work has been supported by the following individuals and institutions over the course of the year:

The estate of Mr Edmund Ralph Stow Donation to the educational work of the College

The Estate of Prof. Michael John Waring Donation to the educational work of the College

The estate of Mr Graham Ireland Donation to the educational work of the College

The estate of Mr Jonathan Le Grice Donation to the educational work of the College

The estate of Mr Philip Ernest Da Costa Donation to the educational work of the College

The estate of Mr Leon Norman Bennett Jackson Donation to the educational work of the College

Mrs Ann Esposito on behalf of her mother, Joyce Foster Donation to the educational work of the College

The estate of Mrs Anne Maureen Swindells Donation to the educational work of the College

The estate of Miss Margaret Mason Donation to the educational work of the College

United Grand Lodge of England Donation to the educational work of the College

Professor Christopher Wood Support for the work of the College

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The Garfield Weston Foundation Grant toward the educational work of the College

The PF Charitable Trust Support of Organ Forum (postponed 2020/2021)

GMC Trust RCO Academy – supporting young organists

Bromley and Croydon Organists Association Donation to the educational work of the College

The Percy Whitlock Trust Donation to the library and to the educational work of the College

The College would like to record special thanks to Viscount Organs for their ongoing support and sponsorship of the educational work of the College.

Anniversary Circle and the new ‘Friends of the RCO’

The College does not receive any state support and is dependent on member subscriptions, project funding from trusts, and ad hoc benefaction from individuals. In conjunction with the 150th anniversary in 2014, the ‘Anniversary Circle’ was launched in order to establish a new community of individual and corporate benefactors through which the College aims to build the strongest possible platform for its work long into the future. The Anniversary Circle has been revised to form the ‘Friends of the RCO’.

In this transitional time, the following kindly donated to one or both initiatives in 2020/2021:

Sarah Baldock John Higham Annette Ball Roger Hill Peter Bassett Sir David Lumsden Canon John Berry Gerald Malton Mark Brafield Roy Massey Morwenna Brett Hugh Mather Brian and Pauline Caswell Graham Matthews Kathleen Duncan OBE Philip Meaden Frederick Dyer Peter Owen Eminent Organs Andrew Parmley Mary Evans Wendy Parmley Archibald Ewing Lionel Pike Christopher FletcherDavid Price Campbell David Saint Mark Ford Graham Smallbone Roger Gabb Dean Spielmann Sir Roger and Lady Gifford Jennifer Stephenson Kim Gilbert The Rev John Tattersall Gillett Charitable Settlement Stephen Taylor Stephen Gilling Viscount Organs Dr Peter Harland David Wakefield Rosalind Hedley-Miller Professor Michael Waring

Stephen Wellington John Scott Whiteley Keith Winpenny

Christopher Wood Richard Yarr Edward Yendall

Support in Kind

Alan Baxter and Associates LLP The Dean and Chapter of Southwark Cathedral The Cavalry and Guards Club

The College wishes to thank the authorities and the staff of the many churches and academic institutions it has liaised with during the year. It is grateful for any unpaid assistance offered, and for the many instances of goodwill extended.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with the law applicable to charities in England and Wales. Law applicable to England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom accounting standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of incoming resources for that period and:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position and for ensuring that the financial statements comply with applicable law. 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.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.19 Year end 30 June 2021

regard for the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

Audit Information

So far as each of the Trustees at the time the Trustees’ report is approved is aware:

Auditors

Moore Kingston Smith LLP have indicated their willingness to continue in office and it is proposed they be re-appointed as auditors for the ensuing year.

Risks and Outlook

The Trustee Council and the management team have review processes in place which include a comprehensive assessment of the risks faced by the College, and the monitoring of a Risk Register which is reviewed frequently by Trustees and managers. The Register covers governance risks, operational risks, financial risks, and external/ environmental risks. As in recent years, emphasis will be placed on keeping costs under control and managing income in order to ensure future stability.

The prosperity of the College and the achievement of its objectives are directly related to the prosperity, rituals, and facilities of a small number of institutions, many religious, served by its members. The College has little influence over these, but seeks to address this risk by the excellence of its achievements and plans for the future described earlier in this report. By promoting the highest professional and artistic standards and encouraging wide interest in organ playing and choral directing among the community generally, these activities are intended to support the continuing prosperity of these institutions.

for these reasons, and to secure bequests of sufficient size, the RCO Foundation has been set up. The Foundation will be addressing these issues as a matter of priority. Through a network of Individual and Corporate Friends, and of Creative Partners, the Foundation will be seeking to establish meaningful and lasting financial relationships and a significant increase in legacy giving.

Loss of key staff is mitigated by active succession planning, the review of recruitment processes, and staff training. The implementation of a regional management structure has reduced vulnerability through the devolution of responsibilities.

Budgetary control and financial reporting risks are mitigated by maintaining a link between budgets and business planning/objectives, the use of proper costing procedures for service delivery, and the regular review of reserves and investments.

Public perception of risk is mitigated by communications with supporters and beneficiaries using the website and print and digital publications, ensuring that good-quality reporting of the charity’s activities and financial situation is in place.

Thanks to our staff

The College is fortunate to have a dedicated team of staff supported by a small, hard-working group of freelancers and contractors providing specialist services. The Trustees are grateful for their combined efforts.

By order of the Trustees

The Lord Lisvane KCB, DL Date: 4 November 2021

The College’s opus operandi , activities, and digital campus (iRCO) are heavily dependent on the College remaining at the forefront of relevant digital technology, and its proper implementation and adaptation to the College’s requirements. This is updated and reviewed periodically.

The financial position of the College is greatly dependent on the valuation of, and income from, its investments; and also from the flow of donations and legacies. The bequests necessary to finance the College’s operating deficiencies can be unpredictable and intermittent, and

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees of The Royal College of Organists

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of the Royal College of Organists for the year ended 30 June 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs(UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.21 Year end 30 June 2021

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 18 the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud are to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charity.

Our approach was as follows:

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As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s Trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party other than the charity and charity’s Trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinion we have formed.

Date: 4 November 2021

Neil Finlayson (ACA, ICAEW) Statutory auditor for and behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP

Devonshire House 60 Goswell Road London EC1M 7AD

Moore Kingston Smith LLP is eligible to act as auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.23 Year end 30 June 2021

Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 30 June 2021

Notes
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
Annual subscriptions
3
Examination fees
3
Events
3
Investment income
4
Total income
Expenditure
Cost of raising funds
Fundraising and publicity
Investment Management Fees
5
9
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net operating income/(expenditure)
Net gain/(loss) on investments
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds
Fund balances brought forward at
1 July 2020
Fund balances carried forward at
30 June 2021
12		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
215,715
173,055
38,063
38,853
57,753
523,439
28,118
8,028
439,117
475,263
48,176
319,054
367,230
1,783,388
2,150,618		 Restricted
Funds
£
109,633
-
-
-
37,900
147,533
-
4,787
17,128
21,915
125,618
148,706
274,324
701,103
975,428		 Endowment
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,948
-
3,948
(3,948)
122,625
118,677
608,088
726,764		 Total
2021
£
325,348
173,055
38,063
38,853
95,653
670,972
28,118
16,763
456,245
501,126
169,846
590,385
760,231
3,092,579
3,852,810		 Total
2020
£
157,216
170,510
43,505
75,915
107,834
554,980
36,365
13,549
513,989
563,903
(8,923)
(175,180)
(184,103)
3,276,682
3,092,579

All amounts related to continuing activities.

All recognised gains and losses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.

p.24

Balance Sheet at 30 June 2021

Notes
Fixed Assets
Investments
9
Current Assets
Debtors and advance payments
10
Bank and cash
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year
11a
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
Represented by:
Funds
Endowment funds
12
Restricted funds
12
Unrestricted funds
- Designated
12
- General
12		 2021
£
82,356
205,332
287,688
(149,398)		 2021
£
3,714,520
3,714,520
138,290
3,852,810
726,764
975,428
2,049,572
101,046
3,852,810		 2020
£
85,798
145,688
231,486
(126,368)		 2020
£
2,987,461
2,987,461
105,118
3,092,579
608,088
701,103
1,743,421
39,967
3,092,579

The financial statements were approved by the Trustee Council (trustee body) for issue on 4 November 2021.

The notes on pages 26 to 35 form part of these finanical statements.

The Lord Lisvane KCB, DL

Chairman of Trustee Council

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.25 Year end 30 June 2021

Statement of Cash Flows

Year end 30 June 2021

Cash flow/(outflow) from operating activities
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment income and interest received
Proceeds from disposal of fixed asset investments
Acquisition of fixed asset investments
Additions to cash held in investment portfolio
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2021
£
100,665
95,653
918,284
(971,011)
(83,947)
(41,021)
59,644
145,688
205,332
-		 2020
£
(173,140)
107,834
413,501
(377,201)
46,976
191,110
17,970
127,718
145,688
Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities
2021
2020
£
£
Net income including endowments
760,231
(184,103)
Adjustments for:
(95,653)
(107,834)
(590,385)
175,180
3,442
(16,355)
Investment income
Net gains on investments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase in creditors
23,030
(40,028)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
100,665
(173,140)
(173,140)

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Notes to the Financial Statements Year end 30 June 2021

1. Accounting Policies

a) Accounting Convention

These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of investments being measured at fair value through income and expenditure within the Statement of Financial Activities.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The Charity is a public benefit entity for the purposes of FRS 102 and therefore the Charity also prepared its financial statements in accordance with the 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 (The FRS 102 Charities SORP) and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are applied consistently and are set out below.

b) Going Concern

The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the Trustees have considered the charity’s forecasts and projections and have taken account of pressures on income and the

impact of Covid-19. The College has responded well to the restrictions in activities and whilst certain events had to be cancelled and examinations were postponed, other activities took place successfully online and plans are in place to continue with online tuition and events where necessary. After making enquiries, the Trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

c) Fund Accounting – Unrestricted Funds

Reserves Policy and Fund Accounting

The Trustees have reviewed the College’s need for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. They have identified the future needs of the College and where appropriate have set aside funds or designated funds to meet those needs.

The balance of the funds, after the separation of restricted and designated funds, represent the College’s general or free reserves. They can be used at the Trustees’ discretion for the general running of the College. A statement of the Trustees’ view of the necessary level of unrestricted reserves is made on page 17.

d) Restricted, Designated and Endowment Funds

The College’s Restricted and Trust Funds consist of a number of different funds where the donor has imposed restrictions on the use of the funds which are legally binding. The accounting records separate these restricted funds from the unrestricted funds of the College.

A schedule of the movements on each individual fund during the year are set out in note 12.

The College’s Designated Funds are funds set aside at

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.27 Year end 30 June 2021

the Trustees’ discretion for specific purposes. These purposes are set out in note 12.

Permanent endowment funds must be held permanently by the Trustees and income arising is separately included in restricted funds for specific use as defined by the donors.

e) Income

Subscriptions for 2020/2021 are shown in the accounts on a receivable basis with provision being made for those amounts considered irrecoverable. Subscriptions income received in April, May and June 2021 is assumed to relate to 2021/2022 and is therefore deferred. Exam fees income relating to exam sittings post year end and advance payments for the programme of RCO Academy classes and events taking place in 2021/2022 are treated as deferred income. Investment income and Gift Aid income relating to 2020/2021 is accrued. All other income, including recoverable tax creditors, is included in income when it is received.

Donations and gifts in kind include assets and resources received from many benefactors. Income is recognised as soon as there is probability of receipt and the value can be measured with reliability.

f) Heritage Assets

The College is the owner of a library of Organ and Choral music and books. Many precious works are contained in the library which is housed and managed on behalf of the College by Birmingham City University and the Royal College of Music, London. The collection is considered irreplacable and as such it is not possible to attribute a reliable cost or value to it. It is additionally considered that the process of obtaining valuations of the collection would be disproportionate to any public benefit that might be derived and that it is impractical to apply conventional valuation techniques to the collection, due to the uniqueness of its nature.

g) Investments

Investments are included at market value as at the balance sheet date in accordance with the SORP. Realised and unrealised gains or losses on assets are accounted for within the particular fund of which the asset forms a part.

h) Apportionment of Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is analysed into the categories required by the SORP.

Notes 5 and 6 to the financial statements provide an analysis of each of the relevant categories according to function.

Staff costs are apportioned in accordance with time spent within each category.

Governance costs represent the institutional costs of the College.

i) Pensions

The College runs a non-contributory defined contribution scheme for its employees. Alternatively, the College will make a contribution to the personal pension schemes of employees. Contributions payable are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities.

j) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

k) Financial Instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity’s balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

With the exceptions of prepayments and deferred income all other debtor and creditor balances are considered to be basic financial instruments under FRS 102. See notes 10 and 11 for the debtor and creditor notes.

l) Employee Benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.

m) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

In preparing financial statements it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. The following judgements and estimates are considered by the Trustees to have most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

In the view of the Trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no other judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year.

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Notes to the Financial Statements Year end 30 June 2021 (continued)

2 Donations and legacies

Donations (including gift aid)
Legacies and bequests
Donations (including gift aid)
Legacies and bequests		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
107,028
108,687
215,715
Unrestricted
Funds
£
44,193
111,808
156,001		 Restricted
Funds
£
109,633
109,633
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-		 Endowment
Funds
£
-
-
-
Endowment
Funds
£
1,215
-
1,215		 Total
2021
£
107,028
218,320
325,348
Total
2020
£
45,408
111,808
157,216

3 Charitable activities

All income from charitable activities in the current and prior year related to unrestricted funds.

4 Investment income

Investment income
Investment income		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
57,753
Unrestricted
Funds
£
60,196		 Restricted
Funds
£
37,900
Restricted
Funds
£
47,638		 Endowment
Funds
£
-
Endowment
Funds
£
-		 Total
2021
£
95,653
Total
2020
£
107,834

Investment income is derived from listed securities, common investment funds and bank interest.

Total Resources Expended
Cost of raising funds
Fundraising and publicity
Investment Management Fees
Charitable activities
Examinations
Publications
Library and other
Scholarships and Prizes
Events
Membership Services
EEOP and NPOR
Governance		 Activities
Undertaken
Directly
£
-
16,763
57,146
33,846
9,859
-
67,209
17,423
1,103
-
203,349		 Grants
£
-
-
-
-
-
38,175
-
-
-
-
38,175		 Support
Costs
(Note 6)
£
31,801
-
54,820
32,468
9,458
36,622
64,474
16,713
1,057
12,189
259,603		 Total
2021
£
31,801
16,763
111,966
66,314
19,317
74,796
131,682
34,136
2,160
12,189
501,126

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.29 Year end 30 June 2021

Notes to the Financial Statements Year end 30 June 2021 (continued)

5 Total Resources Expended (continued)

Cost of raising funds
Fundraising and publicity
Investment Management Fees
Charitable activities
Examinations
Publications
Library and other
Scholarships and Prizes
Events
Membership Services
EEOP Project
Governance
6
Support Costs
Advertising and publicity
Wages and salaries
Rent, rates, services and insurance
Other establishment expenses
Telephone and internet expenses
Bank charges
Legal and professional fees
Independent examiner's fees -
current year
Printing, postage and stationery
Council travel and meeting costs
Sundry
Travel and accommodation		 Activities
Undertaken
Directly
£
-
13,549
90,336
32,553
9,693
-
101,494
15,286
5,645
-
268,556
Cost of
Raising
Funds
£
31,801
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
31,801		 Grants
£
-
-
-
-
-
31,993
-
-
-
-
31,993
Charitable
Activities
£
-
100,501
11,134
163
8,343
5,436
57,661
-
2,364
-
29,601
410
215,612		 Support
Costs
(Note 6)
£
36,365
-
69,087
24,896
7,413
24,467
77,621
11,691
4,317
7,497
263,354
Governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,700
-
489
-
-
12,189		 Total
2020
£
36,365
13,549
159,424
57,449
17,106
56,460
179,115
26,977
9,962
7,497
563,903
Total
2021
£
31,801
100,501
11,134
163
8,343
5,436
57,661
11,700
2,364
489
29,601
410
259,603

p.30

6 Support Costs

Advertising and publicity
Wages and salaries
Rent, rates, services and insurance
Other establishment expenses
Telephone and internet expenses
Bank charges
Legal and professional fees
Independent examiner's fees
Printing, postage and stationery
Council travel and meeting costs
Sundry
Travel and accommodation
7
Staff Costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
The average number of staff employed during the
Direct charitable		 Cost of
Raising
Funds
£
36,365
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
36,365
year was:		 Charitable
Activities
£
-
101,906
10,188
427
8,378
5,400
54,255
-
2,855
-
27,227
8,856
219,492		 Governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,935
-
1,562
-
-
7,497
2021
£
154,031
12,396
11,003
177,430
2021
No
5		 Total
2020
£
36,365
101,906
10,188
427
8,378
5,400
54,255
5,935
2,855
1,562
27,227
8,856
263,354
2020
£
154,031
14,193
10,986
179,210
2020
No
6

No employees received emoluments of £60,000 or above in the year to 30 June 2021.

Key management personnel include the Trustees, Chief Executive and senior staff reporting directly to the Chief Executive. The total employee benefits of the charity's key management personnel were £181,429 (2020: £182,803). No trustee received any remuneration as part of this total.

8 Trustees' Expenses and Related Party Transactions

The following trustees received fees for assisting in the examination and tutoring of students, as permitted by the Royal Charter:

the Royal Charter:
Trustees
Christopher Kent
Daniel Moult
Tom Winpenny
Katherine Dienes Williams
Peter Wright		 2021
£
525
3,770
100
100
780
5,275		 2020
£
-
1,850
-
-
-
1,850

Travel expenses amounting to £501 (2020: £350) were reimbursed to four (2020: One) trustees during the year.

At the year end no trustees were owed anything (2020: £nil).

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.31 Year end 30 June 2021

Notes to the Financial Statements Year end 30 June 2021 (continued)

9
Fixed Asset Investments
UK Listed Investments
Market value at 1 July
Net Additions
Disposals at opening market value
(proceeds £918,284 realised gain of £92,365)
Unrealised(losses)/gains
Movement in cash
Market value at 30 June
Investments representing a significant proportion of the portfolio:
No investments comprise more than 5% of the portfolio in 2021.
10
Debtors
All due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
11a Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Deferred income (See 11b)
Accruals
11b Deferred Income
Balance as at 1 July 2020
Released during the year
Deferred during the year
Balance as at 30 June 2021		 2021
£
2,987,461
971,011
(825,919)
498,020
83,947
3,714,520
2021
£
-
2021
£
1,515
6,907
73,934
82,356
-
2021
£
45,138
3,767
67,765
32,728
149,398
-
2021
£
45,814
(45,814)
67,765
67,765		 2020
£
3,245,923
377,201
(422,075)
(166,612)
(46,976)
2,987,461
2020
£
-
2020
£
1,569
8,615
75,614
85,798
2020
£
36,873
3,907
45,814
39,774
126,368
2020
£
90,348
(90,348)
45,814
45,814

Deferred income relates to exam fees and subscriptions received in advance.

p.32

Notes to the Financial Statements Year end 30 June 2021 (continued)

(Continued)

12 Analysis of Funds
Unrestricted
General
Designated:
Library and Academic
Development Fund
Education Fund
Total unrestricted
Restricted
The Prize Fund
The Welfare Fund
Freestone Fund
The Scholarship & Award
Birch fund (salaries)
Birch fund (course fees)
The Wiles fund
The Minshall Jones fund
The Roger Gabb Bursary
The Phillip Mason fund
Total restricted
Endowment
The Birch fund (salaries)
The Birch fund (course fees)
The Wiles fund
The Minshall-Jones fund
The Gabb Fund
Total endowment
Total Funds		 Balance
Brought
01/07/2020
£
39,967
472,317
1,271,104
1,783,388
258,777
46,398
205,655
165,273
-
-
-
-
-
25,000
701,103
36,993
209,649
90,415
65,820
205,211
608,088
3,092,579
Income
£
207,677
835
314,926
523,438
7,036
110,702
7,896
4,772
1,090
6,122
2,647
1,697
5,572
147,534
-
670,972
0
-
Expenditure
£
(146,598)
(19,317)
(309,347)
(475,262)
(1,621)
(246)
(1,820)
(1,100)
(1,090)
(6,122)
(2,647)
(1,697)
(5,572)
(21,916)
(251)
(1,411)
(610)
(391)
(1,284)
(3,948)
(501,126)
0		 Investment
Gain/
Losses
£
319,054		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-		 Balance
Carried
30/06/2021
£
101,046
453,835
1,595,737
319,054 2,150,618
50,364
7,655
56,528
34,160		 314,555
164,509
268,259
203,105
-
-
-
-
-
25,000
148,706 975,427
7,802
43,828
18,952
12,150
39,891		 44,544
252,066
108,757
77,579
243,818
122,624 726,764
590,385 3,852,809
0 0.55
-

Designated Funds

On 1 December 2010, 7 items from the RCO Library Collection were sold at auction. These items had been donated to the College by John Belcher in 1913 and were not germane to the RCO collection, therefore the Trustees elected to sell them and create a fund with the proceeds to support the running costs of the RCO Library.

The Education Fund is to be utilised for the purpose of supporting the educational programme of the College and assisting organ students.

RCO Annual Report & Accounts Year end 30 June 2021

p.33

Restricted Funds

For the purposes of administration and management of the charity, and with permission of the Charity Commission, the trusts already in existence are to be administered as on charity and as a result have been divided into the following areas:

The Prize Branch - to award prizes in the subject of organ music.

The Welfare Branch - to advance education in organ music to students in need.

The Freestone Fund - for the provision of an organ scholarship to be known as the "Leonard Freestone" scholarship The Scholarship and Award Branch - to be awarded in the subject of organ music.

Birch fund (salaries) - to fund salaries and administration costs

Birch fund (course fees) - to fund Course Fees and other financial help for organ students.

The Wiles fund - to fund an Annual Scholarship.

The Minshall-Jones fund - to fund Awards and Scholarships.

The Phillip Mason fund - to fund Awards and Scholarships.

12 Analysis of Funds (continued)

Endowment funds

The Birch Fund (salaries) - In 2013 a £30,000 endowment was received and going forwards income derived from the endowment is to be used to fund administration costs and salaries of the College.

The Birch fund (course fees) - In 2014 a £176,643 endowment was received and going forwards income derived from the endowment is to be used to fund course fees and other financial help for organ students.

The Wiles fund - In 2014 a £75,293 endowment was received and going forwards income derived from the endowment is to be used to fund an annual scholarship.

The Minshall-Jones fund - In 2014 a £50,000 endowment was received and going forwards income derived from the endowment is to be used to fund awards and scholarships.

The Gabb fund - In 2018 a £175,000 endowment was received and going forwards income derived from the endowment is to be used to fund Awards and Scholarships.

Within the restricted funds there are also amounts relating to permanent endowments. The charity is in the process of identifying the actual value of the individual endowments but unfortunately the information is not available as at the year end.

p.34

Notes to the Financial Statements Year end 30 June 2021 (continued)

12 Analysis of Funds (continued)

Balance
Investment
Brought
Gain/
01/07/2019
Income
Expenditure
Losses
Transfers
£
£
£
£
£
Unrestricted
General
116,968
256,994
(333,995)
Designated:
-
Library and Academic
Development Fund
488,208
1,215
(17,106)
Education Fund
1,296,185
247,921
(182,617)
(90,385)
Total unrestricted
1,901,361
506,130
(533,718)
(90,385)
-
Restricted
The Prize Fund
267,280
8,842
(1,606)
(15,739)
The Welfare Fund
47,690
1,344
(244)
(2,392)
Freestone Fund
215,201
9,924
(1,804)
(17,666)
The Scholarship & Award
171,042
5,997
(1,090)
(10,676)
Birch fund (salaries)
-
1,370
(1,370)
Birch fund (course fees)
-
7,695
(7,695)
The Wiles fund
-
3,327
(3,327)
The Minshall Jones fund
-
2,133
(2,133)
The Roger Gabb Bursary
-
7,003
(7,003)
The Phillip Mason fund
25,000
Total restricted
726,213
47,635
(26,272)
(46,473)
-
Endowment
The Birch fund (salaries)
39,680
(249)
(2,438)
The Birch fund (course fees)
224,745
(1,399)
(13,697)
The Wiles fund
96,943
(605)
(5,923)
The Minshall-Jones fund
70,005
(388)
(3,797)
The Gabb Fund
217,735
1,215
(1,272)
(12,467)
(38,322)
-
(175,180)
-
Total endowment
649,108
1,215
(3,913)
Total Funds
3,276,682
554,980
(563,903)		 Balance
Carried
30/06/2020
£
39,967
-
472,317
1,271,104
1,783,388
258,777
46,398
205,655
165,273
-
-
-
-
-
25,000
701,103
36,993
209,649
90,415
65,820
205,211
608,088
3,092,579
3,092,579

For a description of the funds above, please see the previous two pages.

RCO Annual Report & Accounts p.35 Year end 30 June 2021

Notes to the Financial Statements Year end 30 June 2021 (continued)

13 Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds
Fund balance at 30 June 2021 are
represented by:
Investments
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Fund balance at 30 June 2020 are
represented by:
Investments
Net current assets/(liabilities)		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
2,170,976
(20,358)
2,150,618
-
Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,697,804
85,584
1,783,388		 Restricted
Funds
£
845,957
129,470
975,428
-
Restricted
Funds
£
706,812
(5,708)
701,103		 Endowment
Funds
£
697,587
29,178
726,764
-
Endowment
Funds
£
582,845
25,242
608,088		 2020
Total
£
3,714,520
138,290
3,852,810
2020
Total
£
2,987,461
105,118
3,092,579

p.36

The Royal College of Organists PO Box 7328 New Milton BH25 9DU

Tel: 020 3865 6998 E-mail: admin@rco.org uk www.rco.org.uk