## **Leicester Bach Choir**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report for Financial Year ending 30 June 2025**
## **Objectives and Activities**
##
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.
## **Achievements and performance**
The 2024-25 concert season began with our **Eternal Peace** concert which included a wonderful performance of Duruflé’s Requiem, the Dupré Motets (op.9) and extracts from Frank Martin’s unaccompanied Mass for double choir in November 2024 in Leicester. The work was performed in memoriam Graham Wright, a former Chair of LBC for 15 years and long serving singing member, who sadly passed away earlier that year. The choir was joined by a professional organist and cellist accompanying rising star soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music. The performance was warmly received by the audience as the positive reviews indicated e.g. “The young musicians from Northern College of Music were outstanding, especially the mezzo soprano and cellist… Beautiful voice! And the programme was serious… Requiem and music in tribute to a former Chair”
In March 2025, the choir staged their **Gloria concert** , and was joined by no less than 19 professional musicians to perform the Vivaldi Gloria, Bach’s Vergnugte Ruh, Vaughan Williams’ Benedicite and Dyson’s Hierusalem. Rising star soloists from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire joined us along with the Bach Camerata, organist and soloists. Once again, the performance was warmly received by a large audience who provided excellent feedback. Our archivist produced a fascinating piece for our new blog series unearthing a newspaper report from 1963 with details of three previous performances of the famous Vivaldi piece.
For the June 2025 concert, **Lux Aeterna – Eternal Light,** the choir was joined by professional organist Simon Hogan and they performed James Macmillan’s Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, Charles Paterson’s George Herbert settings – Matins, Virtue (Sweet Day) and Antiphon, John Taverner’s Maha Maya and Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna. This performance was dedicated to friend, former Chair and Honorary Member, Charles Paterson who died earlier this year. Susan Paterson wrote a moving personal reflection following the concert for our new blog series saying “ _thank you for not only performing his music, but also for the conductor’s introduction, which showed how_
Charity name: Leicester Bach Choir Founded in 1928 Registered Charity number: 501890 www.leicesterbachchoir.org.uk
_well loved he had been_ ”. The performance drew these comments “ _the choir impressed with their tuning and attention to detail_ ” and “ _it was a joy to hear them responding so well to their conductor_ ”
In addition to the regular concerts the choir organised a _**Come and Sing**_ workshop day in January 2025 to work on The Music Makers by Edward Elgar 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 94 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 serves as a valuable fundraising opportunity, helping to secure the future of LBC’s concert programming.
LBC’s Music Director, Richard Laing, who has just completed his 22nd 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 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 Sir George Dyson Trust.
## **Financial Review: Treasurer’s report**
Following some final adjustments to the accounts, the position is as follows:
Singers’ subscriptions of £14,694 were received, and Gift Aid of £2,677 was recovered for the previous year. We also received a very welcome £1,020 from Friends and Patrons. Non-specific donations amounted to £5,000. Other income during the year, from Music Hire, refreshments and miscellaneous sales, fundraisers including the Spring family quiz and plant sale, plus Come & Sing amounted to £2,830.
Expenditure for the year for rehearsal venue rental, Conductor’s and Accompanist’s fees, and other non-concert related items amounted to £18,003.
The Choir performed in 3 concerts during the year, with total income of £7,694 and expenditure of £12,545.
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 2024 three new trustees were appointed. These individuals joined the board (total 10) to support the choir’s mission and help guide its artistic and operational development in the lead-up to our centenary celebrations.
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
Trustees appointed by the members of the Leicester Bach Choir:
|Adam Scot|Chair
|(from 25 Sept 2024)|
|---|---|---|
|Gail Hobbs|Vice Chair|(from 25 Sept 2024)|
|Michael Randle|Treasurer|(from 22 Sept 2021)|
|Rebecca Hames|Secretary|(from 25 Sept 2024)|
|Patricia Taylor|Friends’ Representatve (from 2 Sept 2020)||
|Elizabeth Jennifer Casboult|Concert Manager|(from 5 Sept 2018)|
|Jacqueline Burden|General Trustee|(from 5 Sept 2018)|
|Paul Leonard-Williams|General Trustee|(from 2 Sept 2020)|
|Dr Jennifer Wilkinson|General Trustee|(from 14 Sept 2022)|
|David Lawton|General Trustee|(from 25 Sept 2024)|
|Charity name|
Leicester Bach Choir||
|Charity Commission|||
|registered number|
501890||
|Financial year ending|30 June 2025||
|Charity’s principal address|c/o Rebecca Hames, 37 Holmfield Road, Leicester, LE2 1SE||
|Independent examiner|Mr Meirion Thomas, John F Mould & Co. 19 – 20 Baxtergate||
||Loughborough, LEICESTERSHIRE, LE11 1TG||
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Charity name: Leicester Bach Choir Founded in 1928 Registered Charity number: 501890 www.leicesterbachchoir.org.uk
**Declarations**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees**
Rebecca Hames
_Secretary, Leicester Bach Choir_
September 5[th] 2025
Charity name: Leicester Bach Choir Founded in 1928 Registered Charity number: 501890 www.leicesterbachchoir.org.uk
1.
## **THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR**
## **Registered Charity No. 501890**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025**
## **INCOME & EXPENDITURE – UNRESTRICTED 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 EXPENDITURE AND NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
FOR THE YEAR
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|2025
£
5,000
14,694
1,020
2,830
7,694
2,789
34,027
2,817
722
12,545
18,003
34,087
( 60)
18,845
18,785|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|
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.
2.
## **THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR**
## **BALANCE SHEET – 30[th] JUNE 2025**
|CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors - gift aid tax recoverable
- 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
Deferred income – fundraising event
NET ASSETS
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted income funds|2025
£
-
283
20,752
21,035
165
1,110
975
2,250
18,785
18,785|2024
£
2,677
339
17,548|
|---|---|---|
|||20,564|
|||652
1,067
-|
|||1,719|
|||18,845|
|||18,845|
Signed on behalf of the Managing Committee
M. Randle – Treasurer
2025
3.
**THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR**
## **NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS – YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025**
## 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.
Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met (5.10 to 5.12 FRS 102 SORP). In the case of performance related grants, income is recognised when the charity has fulfilled the related conditions. Income is deferred if it relates to an event taking place in the next financial year.
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|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||2025|2024|
|||£|£|
||Singers subscriptions|11,995|11,714|
||Income tax recoverable (Gift Aid)|2,699|2,677|
|||14,694|14,391|
||Other trading activities|||
||General fund raising events and refreshments sales|2,641|1,501|
||Music sales and hire|189|310|
|||2,830|1,811|
|3.|OTHER EXPENDITURE|||
||Conductors fees – retainer and additional fees|10,418|10,359|
||St. James the Greater rehearsal room hire|1,926|2,810|
||Accompanists|3,110|2,830|
||Subscriptions and performing rights|864|641|
||Website and advertising|1,201|1,197|
||Bank charges|131|116|
||Miscellaneous|353|57|
|||18,003|18,010|
## 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 (2024 – nil).
There were no related party transactions during the year (2024 – none).
4.
**THE LEICESTER BACH CHOIR NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS – YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025**
|5. CONCERT ACTIVITIES – 2024/25 SEASON
Winter
Concert
£
INCOME
Tickets, programmes,
refreshments sales
Josephine Baker Trust
2,404
EXPENDITURE
Soloists and musicians
1,197
Posters, programmes & tickets
367
Venue, fees, lighting
Music hire
1,010
1,135
Event licence
21
Travel expenses
-
Refreshments
82
3,812
DEFICIT ON EVENTS
(1,408)
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
869
Music hire
367
Event licence
21
Travel expenses
146
Refreshments
84
Flowers
Organ hire
-
-
7,586
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) ON EVENTS
1,126|
Easter
Concert
£
2,930
495
3,425
4,194
441
953
773
21
-
35
6,417
(2,992)
Easter
Concert
£
3,445
1,190
367
922
1,120
21
36
136
42
380
4,214
( 769)|Summer
Concert
£
1,865
400
340
270
1,159
21
30
96
2,316
( 451)
Summer
Concert
£
1,892
2,750
477
652
557
21
84
-
-
-
4,541
( 2,649)|Total
£
7,694
5,791
1,148
2,233
3,067
63
30
213
12,545
(4,851)
Total
£
14,049
9,585
1,298
2,443
2,044
63
266
220
42
380
16,341
( 2,292)|
|---|---|---|---|
5.
## **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 2025 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