Leicester Bach Choir
Trustees’ Annual Report for Financial Year ending 30 June 2024
Objectives and Activities
Public Benefit
The Leicester Bach Choir aims to educate the public with a wide range of choral music through concert performances, and choral workshops for a wider audience. The choir offers opportunities for all full-time students to join them for free and they charge minimal subscription rates for younger singers who are not students. The choir aims to involve children and young people in singing activities and concerts as participants or soloists where appropriate.
Young people aged 16 and under attended concerts for free and sixth formers, full-time students and people with disabilities paid just £5.
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and performance
The 2023-24 concert season began with an outstanding performance of Handel’s Messiah in December 2023 in Leicester where all seats were sold – over 200. The choir was joined by a professional orchestra and highly acclaimed soloists. The performance was warmly received by the audience as the positive reviews indicated e.g. “ The Leicester Bach Choir’s performance of Handel’s Messiah on 9 December was a triumph – combining passion, intensity, pace and an exquisite interplay of voices within the choir and with the excellent soloists. It provoked a deserved and extended standing ovation from a full hall. This is an excellent choir at the peak of its powers. Sir Alan Tuckett”
In March 2024, the choir mounted a concert, Exsultate Jubilate , and was joined by Joanne Lunn, their President, who is an internationally renowned Baroque Soprano, and a small string ensemble. They performed:
Mozart – Exsultate Jubilate ; Scarlatti – Stabat Mater ; Patrick Hawes – Song of Songs ; Mozart – Laudate Dominum ; Mendelssohn – Wer nur den lieben Gott ; Gounod – Jerusalem. Once again, the performance was warmly received by a large audience who provided excellent feedback.
For the June 2024 concert, Summer Awakening, the choir was joined by a small professional string ensemble led by Shulah Oliver - Smith and they performed Josef Rheinberger - Stabat Mater ; Guillaume Lekeu – Adagio ; J S Bach - Chorus and Chorale from Wachet Auf; Frank Bridge - A Prayer ; John Ireland - A Downland Suite ; George Dyson - Three Songs of Praise . The performance drew these comments from our president Joanne Lunn, who was in the audience: “My word, what a treat and a joy the concert was on Saturday evening! A great big thank you and well done to all involved. I thought that the programming was stunning by Richard, some really beautiful music with great programme notes and performed so well by you all. Both the choir and the orchestra & organist were on the finest of form. I don’t think I’ve ” heard you better .
Charity name: Leicester Bach Choir Founded in 1928 Registered Charity number: 501890 www.leicesterbachchoir.org.uk
In addition to the regular concerts the choir organised a Come and Sing workshop day in January 2024 to work on Puccini’s Messa di Gloria with their conductor, Richard Laing. This annual event continues to open up the experience of choral singing to a wide audience beyond our members. The workshop attracted more than 100 participants from across the Midlands and further afield, most of whom were not current members of the Leicester Bach Choir. Participants included some who had little previous experience of choral singing but enthusiastically reported having had a very rewarding, enjoyable and educational day. Alongside their concerts, this Come and Sing venture continues to fulfil the choir’s charitable purpose of educating the wider public about choral music, evidenced by the participation, enthusiasm and support of these large numbers of singers from outside the choir. It also proves a welcome means of substantial fundraising which helps to ensure the mounting of future LBC concerts.
LBC’s Music Director, Richard Laing, who has just completed his 21st season with the choir, continues to innovate and inspire, as demonstrated by the warm positive reviews and comments the concerts have continued to receive this season.
The choir continued to offer free membership to students, which have been taken up, and also a considerably reduced membership fee to other under 25s. The Friends and Patrons continue to support the choir through their generous subscriptions and enthusiastic support at the concerts. The choir has also received generous support from further individual donors and the Helen Jean Cope Charity.
Financial Review: Treasurer’s report
Following some final adjustments to the accounts, the position is as follows:
Singers’ subscriptions of £11,654 were received, and Gift Aid of £3,747.60 was recovered for the previous year. We also received a very welcome £1,090 from Friends and Patrons. Non-specific donations amounted to £475. Other income during the year, from Music Hire, refreshments and miscellaneous sales, fundraisers including the Chef & Spice meal and Summer Barbecue, plus Come & Sing amounted to £4,203.44.
Expenditure for the year for rehearsal venue rental, Conductor’s and Accompanist’s fees, and other non-concert related items amounted to £17,989.
The Choir performed in 3 concerts during the year, with total income of £14,108.81 and expenditure of £15,417.64.
After allowing for late receipts and expenditure for the July 2023 concert, we finished with an increase in funds of £1,109.62. We now have a bank balance of £17,548.23.
The Trustees are to consider writing a Reserves Policy during the coming year.
Mike Randle
Treasurer
Charity name: Leicester Bach Choir Founded in 1928 Registered Charity number: 501890 www.leicesterbachchoir.org.uk
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
Constitution adopted 13 September 1972. Amended 7 September 1983, 28 August 1990, 2 September 1998, 2nd September 2009, 6th September 2017, 4th September 2019.
Recruitment of trustees
Nominations for trustees to be elected are submitted in advance of the Annual General Meeting in September each year. All the trustees are recruited from the choir membership except for the Concert Manager, whose post was originally advertised through local music networks, and the Treasurer, whose post was filled by a highly experienced and recommended volunteer from outside the choir, being a retired local Bank Manager and a former and present Treasurer for other local charities.
Voting to appoint all Trustees takes place at the AGM and in September 2023 all current trustees were reappointed by the membership.
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees appointed by the members of the Leicester Bach Choir:
Dr Jennifer Clegg Chair (from 14 Sept 2022. Resigned 9 Feb 2024) Nicola Little Vice Chair (from 6 Sept 2017) Acting Chair (from 9 Feb 2024) Gail Hobbs Secretary (from 7 Sept 2016) Michael Randle Treasurer (from 22 Sept 2021) Patricia Taylor Friends’ Representative (from 2 Sept 2020) Elizabeth Jennifer Casboult Concert Manager (from 5 Sept 2018) Jacqueline Burden General Trustee (from 5 Sept 2018) Angela Zemlak General Trustee (from 3 Sept 2014. Resigned 30 Oct 2023) Paul Leonard-Williams General Trustee (from 2 Sept 2020) Dr Jennifer Wilkinson General Trustee (from 14 Sept 2022)
Charity name Leicester Bach Choir
Charity Commission registered number 501890 Financial year ending 30 June 2024
Charity’s principal address c/o Mrs Gail Hobbs
1 Eynsford Close Oadby LEICESTER LE2 2LN
Charity name: Leicester Bach Choir Founded in 1928 Registered Charity number: 501890 www.leicesterbachchoir.org.uk
Mr Meirion Thomas John F Mould & Co. 19 – 20 Baxtergate Loughborough LEICESTERSHIRE LE11 1TG
Independent examiner
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Gail Hobbs
Gail Hobbs
Secretary, Leicester Bach Choir
September 5[th] , 2024
Charity name: Leicester Bach Choir Founded in 1928 Registered Charity number: 501890 www.leicesterbachchoir.org.uk
THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR
Registered Charity No. 501890
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024
INCOME & EXPENDITURE – UNRESTRICTED (INCLUDING DESIGNATED) FUNDS
| Note INCOME from: Donations Singing members subscriptions 2 Friends and patrons subscriptions Other 2 Charitable activities - Concert income 5 - Come and Sing TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE on: Raising funds - Come & Sing - other Charitable activities - Concert expenditure 5 - other 3 TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET INCOME/( EXPENDITURE) AND NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2024 £ 475 14,391 1,090 1,811 14,049 4,042 35,858 1,832 - 16,341 18,010 36,183 ( 325) 19,170 18,845 |
2023 £ 3,810 15,172 890 2,278 9,454 3,191 |
|---|---|---|
| 34,795 | ||
| 2,036 152 9,483 16,349 |
||
| 28,020 | ||
| 6,775 12,395 |
||
| 19,170 |
All activities of The Leicester Bach Choir are intended to be continuing.
The statement of financial activities reflects all gains and losses recognised in the year.
THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR
BALANCE SHEET – 30[th] JUNE 2024
| CURRENT ASSETS Debtors - gift aid tax recoverable - concert income - other ( income receivable and prepayments) Cash at bank - Co-operative Bank Community Directplus account Total current assets LIABILITIES – falling due within one year Creditors - concert expenses - other NET ASSETS THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted income funds Signed on behalf of the Managing Committee |
2024 £ 2,677 - 339 17,548 20,564 652 1,067 1,719 18,845 18,845 |
2023 £ 3,747 1,448 266 16,439 |
|---|---|---|
| 21,900 | ||
| 1,818 912 |
||
| 2,730 | ||
| 19,170 | ||
| 19,170 | ||
M. Randle – Treasurer
9[th] September 2024
THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR
NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS – YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP): 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) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern in the foreseeable future.
The Choir is an unincorporated charity, governed by its rules, registered in England and Wales as charity number 501890
| 2. | SINGING MEMBERS SUBSCRIPTIONS/OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Singers subscriptions | 11,714 | 11,461 | |
| Income tax recoverable | 2,677 | 3,711 | |
| 14,391 | 15,172 | ||
| Other trading activities | |||
| General fund raising events and refreshments sales | 1,501 | 1,895 | |
| Music sales and hire | 310 | 383 | |
| 1,811 | 2,278 | ||
| 3. | OTHER EXPENDITURE | ||
| Conductors fees – retainer and additional fees | 10,359 | 9,291 | |
| St. James the Greater rehearsal room hire | 2,810 | 1,634 | |
| Accompanists | 2,830 | 2,800 | |
| Subscriptions and performing rights | 641 | 400 | |
| Stationery, photocopying and postage | - | 379 | |
| Website and advertising | 1,197 | 1,782 | |
| Bank charges | 116 | 63 | |
| Miscellaneous | 57 | - | |
| 18,010 | 16,349 |
4. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
No members of the management committee have received any remuneration for the year from the charity’s funds (2023 – nil).
There were no related party transactions during the year (2023 – none).
THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS – YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024
5. CONCERT ACTIVITIES – 2023/24 SEASON
| Winter Concert £ INCOME Tickets, programmes, refreshments sales 8,712 EXPENDITURE Soloists and musicians 5,645 Posters, programmes & tickets 454 Venue, fees, lighting Music hire 869 367 Event licence 21 Travel expenses 146 Refreshments 84 Flowers Organ hire - - 7,586 SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) ON EVENTS 1,126 CONCERT ACTIVITIES – 2022/23 SEASON Winter Concert £ INCOME Tickets, programmes, refreshments sales 5,339 EXPENDITURE Soloists and musicians 2,960 Posters, programmes & tickets 219 Venue, fees, lighting 684 Music hire 828 Event licence 21 Travel expenses 36 Refreshments 121 Flowers 28 4,897 SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) ON EVENTS 442 |
Easter Concert £ 3,445 1,190 367 922 1,120 21 36 136 42 380 4,214 ( 769) Easter Concert £ 2,087 600 163 814 407 21 60 30 - 2,095 ( 8) |
Summer Concert £ 1,892 2,750 477 652 557 21 84 - - - 4,541 (2,649) Summer Concert £ 2,028 950 370 690 347 21 40 73 - 2,491 ( 463) |
Total £ 14,049 9,585 1,298 2,443 2,044 63 266 220 42 380 16,341 ( 2,292) Total £ 9,454 4,510 752 2,188 1,582 63 136 224 28 9,483 ( 29) |
|---|---|---|---|
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR (THE CHOIR)
I report on the accounts of The Leicester Bach Choir for the year ended 30[th] June 2024 which are set out on pages 1 to 4.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
M. THOMAS FCA ICAEW
8 Angus Close Thurnby Leicester LE7 9QG
9[th] September 2024