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2020-08-31-accounts

Annual Report 2019-2020

Summary

This has been an extraordinary year. In light of the global coronavirus pandemic, and following recommendations from the relevant groups, the committee made the decision in March 2020 to cancel rehearsals and our May concert. At the time we were fully intending to return to rehearsing in September if not before, once the world had recovered. But it didn’t. DCS has not physically rehearsed or performed for over a year as a write this report. However, there are green shoots emerging. The Committee agreed on an intention to return to in-person rehearsals in September. By then, most of our members will have had their first, if not second vaccination and we are hoping that the virus will be under control. We have recognised the need to be adaptable and will be planning a year that allows for recurring bouts of virus and will be reflected in associated subscription.

Despite the significant events of this year, we delivered a rousing concert in January and have managed to deliver some opportunities to get together over the year. In the summer we performed a piece from Will Todd’s Gala and Gloria online. In December we joined in an online performance of Lessons and Carols and in January we held an online Burns’ Night supper. Our musical team and committee have continued to support the society, despite their own personal challenges, and brought some comfort to members who had been missing the opportunity to sing.

Our financial position is sound and we are on a firm footing to return to singing together in the autumn.

Performances

January concert – In January, we performed what would turn out to be our final concert for some while. To a packed cathedral we performed the Fauré Requiem and Alan Woods’ “This Joyous Night”. The latter piece had been written for the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) Music Society and members of their Cavendish Ensemble joined our own orchestra for the night with JLP’s Music Director, Manvinder Rattan conducting the piece. We were also fortunate in our soloists as our Vice President, Sir Thomas Allen sang the baritone solo for both pieces alongside our own Assistant Conductor, Elizabeth Woods. So we signed off with an excellent performance, enjoyed by our audience and, for once, delighting the Treasurer by nearly breaking even.

Gala and Gloria – In the summer Mike arranged for us create an online performance of Will Todd’s Gala and Gloria to coincide with what would have been the day of Miners’ Gala. Around 50 members attended a series of online rehearsals culminating in each person recording their own voice part. These parts were then edited together along with some film footage and it can be viewed on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MDoS3SSJs8&ab_channel=LeoMansell . Thank you very much to Mike for grasping this opportunity for us to get together.

Lessons and Carols – This was another online performance and by this point we were getting quite skilled at virtual singing. (Mike may not agree.) Together with Durham Singers and Northern Spirit, members

April 2021

www.durhamchoralsociety.org.uk

Charity No: 514557

delivered a lovely concert from their homes to accompany local footage and readings from Reverend Denise Dodd, Chaplain to the Bishop of Durham, Reverent David Wilkinson, Principal of St John’s College and the Bishop of Durham himself.

Social

DIY Burns Night celebration – Thanks to the wonders of modern technology several DCS friends joined together in small groups to raise a glass to Robert Burns immortal memory. Amy Ward (local musician and a Scot) gave a running order and rich information about Burns’ life, his interests, his songs and poetry, as well as words for grace and toasts. If you followed the menu suggestions kindly provided by Fiona Gameson then you enjoyed a feast!

As well as toasting Burns, members toasted the rest of their friends in DCS. Joy Brindle yet again teased the grey cells with a quiz about Burns and Scottish music, happily she provided the answers too. Warm thanks to all who contributed and particularly to Nicky who was the mastermind behind the operation.

Musical team

A big thank you to Mike for identifying the online opportunities for us to get together this year. All of us who joined in will know it isn’t a replacement for singing together in the same physical space, but it was very much appreciated. I know that those involved found this to be a welcome release from the restrictions we have been facing. Thank you to Elizabeth for supporting with those rehearsals and to Alison for supporting our practices on the Nine lessons. Mike and Elizabeth will have faced some extraordinary challenges of their own this year working in education so I would like to recognise how much the society appreciates them investing some additional energy in our online experiences. I would also like to recognise what an immensely difficult year it has been for musicians and send our warmest wishes to Alison and I am sure I represent all of you in saying we can’t wait to get her back at our piano.

Membership

During the 2019/20 season we recorded 148 members. This is shown for individual parts in the chart below and compared with the previous two years year. Membership has reduced slightly again this year although comparison is limited due to the fact we did not run a full season.

----- Start of picture text -----
Membership numbers
80
68
70 65 63
59
60 54 53
50
40
30
21 20
18 17 17
20 15
10
0
Soprano Alto Tenor Bass
2017 2018 2019
----- End of picture text -----

Although our rehearsals were stopped, it was great to see so many people participating in our two online events, with around fifty percent of members joining in. It is clear that online rehearsals are not everyone’s cup of tea and I am hoping that once we are able to sing together again you will feel able to return and get back to an activity that means so much to us all.

April 2021

www.durhamchoralsociety.org.uk

Charity No: 514557

The pandemic hit us mid-season when the majority of our membership subscription had already been paid for the full year. The Committee agreed to use the outstanding subscriptions to fund the costs of our two online experiences. The remainder will underpin our financial position for next year and we are proposing that we do not charge subscriptions to existing members for the first half of the season to ensure members benefit fully from their membership fees from last year.

Financial position

During the year Sue Massey stepped in as Treasurer taking over from Janis Bell. I would like to record my warm thanks to Janis for the time she has served on the Committee. In her report, Sue records that we go into the next year in a sound financial position. As mentioned previously, subscriptions were used to support our online activities and we intend to carry fees over to cover the first half of our 2021/22 season. Although rehearsals were cancelled we agreed to maintain the honoraria for our musical team. With no concert and room hire costs to pay, together with the income from the January concert we have not suffered financially as a result of the events of this year. Sue’s full report is provided separately.

COVID planning

The Committee have agreed an intention to return to rehearsals in person from September 2021. We are currently exploring options for ensuring a safe environment for members. The experiences of the past year have highlighted to us that there are opportunities to think about what we might do differently and how we can ensure we are more resilient going into the future. We will be considering the timing of our concerts, online rehearsal access, venues and more. Our intention is that any changes are put in place to ensure the continuity of DCS and increase opportunities for members to participate in a way they find safe. Of course, members will be consulted on any proposed changes.

Committee

Huge thanks, as always, to our friends on the Committee who have given their time to ensure our January concert was enjoyable and have committed their time to ensure DCS remains on a good footing over lockdown. In a time when we have all been facing extraordinary challenges, their diligence in supporting DCS is admirable and I am sure I represent us all when I thank them for their work. Special thanks to those committee members who were due to step down from their roles last October but have remained in their positions to ensure the DCS is well served in these difficult times. It is right that I record in this report that we have a challenging period ahead of us. There are several members of the committee who have come to the end of their term and are not intending to seek a further term. This includes myself (Chair), Penny Middleton (Secretary) and Jim Good (Librarian). Simon Priestley (Concert Manager) and Naomi Walker (Front Of House Director) are also due to stand down but have agreed to remain in post after October if required. Irene Blakemore (Membership Secretary) and Nicky Chater (Social Secretary) have served 3 years and are up for re-election this year.

Although these members are prepared to stay in role until the AGM in October 2021, it is imperative that we identify people willing to take over. Without these roles filled, we will be unable to continue as a Society and I am confident that none of us would like to be in that situation. We are actively seeking members who maybe interested in taking on any of these roles. If you may be interested, please do contact any member of the committee who can talk you through what it is involved.

This year, my colleagues on the committee were:

April 2021

www.durhamchoralsociety.org.uk

Charity No: 514557

The Committee were generously supported by:

Concluding remarks

It occurred to me this week that in fifty years’ time there may be an anthropologist at Durham University studying the human impact of the global coronavirus pandemic of 2020/21. They will be looking for evidence of the impact on society and may come across this report. What would we want them to know? I would want that person to know that the past year has underlined to me why our society exists. The joy our members get from the act of singing and the added joy of singing together with our friends is a constant in our lives that we never expected would be disrupted in such a way. Conversations I have had with members who have experienced hardship, illness and loss of loved ones remind me that our society provides not only enjoyment but also support, comfort and distraction and the lack of that mechanism has been felt keenly by many of you.

This is the last report I will write as Chair of DCS and it has given me the opportunity to reflect on my time in this position. I have realised how important it is to have people willing to give some time to ensure we can all enjoy our time together. I have realised how lucky we are to have such an incredibly talented musical team but most of all how much joy so many of you experience from being a member of DCS. From a personal perspective, I have found this year incredibly difficult and find myself thinking of all the things I could have done and didn’t. I would have loved my last year in this post to have been a really strong one but I am going to settle for the relief of knowing that DCS still exists to bring us all happiness for years to come.

Finally, on behalf of myself and my colleagues on the Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families well. As life starts to open up again I hope that you are all starting to feel more optimism for the future. We are all looking forward to seeing you in the autumn.

Katharine Bailey Chair April 2021

April 2021

www.durhamchoralsociety.org.uk

Charity No: 514557

Registered Charity Number 514557

Founded 1962

DURHAM CHORAL SOCIETY AGM 2020

Virtual meeting to be held 5th May 2021 via Zoom

AGENDA

  1. Apologies for absence

  2. Minutes of the 2019 AGM (as sent)

  3. Matters arising.

  4. Election of Independent Examiner for the Accounts - to elect Paul Latham as Independent Examiner for the Accounts from financial year 2019/20.

  5. Treasurer’s address and adoption of the Annual Financial Statement (as sent)

  6. Adoption of Annual Report - Chair’s report circulated prior to the meeting, time allowed only for comments

  7. Election of Officers – to retrospectively elect Sue Massey as Treasurer with effect from 1st December 2020. Vote on retention of Kate Bailey as Chair and Penny Middleton as Secretary until October 2021.

  8. Election of Committee – vote on all committee members remaining in post till October 2021.

  9. Music Director’s address – discussion on plans for next year.

  10. AOB

Registered Charity Number 514557 Founded 1962

The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday 5th May 2021 via Zoom. Those wishing to raise a motion entered their name in the Zoom chat function, and those seconding expressed their support in the same manner. A vote was then taken by a show of hands. The AGM was recorded to enable a subsequent count, after which the record was destroyed.

Copies of the 2019-20 Annual Financial Statement, 2020 Chair’s Report and 2019 AGM Minutes had been circulated to members via email on the 30th April 2021

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm and was attended by 76 members of the Society.

1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Eunice Booth, Jeff Dean, Gillian Skinner and Carol Tritton.

2. Minutes of the 2019 AGM

The minutes of the 2019 AGM had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. Gill Aubrey proposed the minutes be accepted as a proper record of the 2019 AGM. This was seconded by Val Wooff and unanimously approved by all members present.

3. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

4. Adoption of auditor

Victoria Simms proposed Paul Latham as independent auditor for the 2019-20 DCS accounts. This was seconded by Simon Priestley and passed unanimously by all members present. It was agreed that the committee would arrange for a small gift of gratitude to be made to Paul on behalf of the Society.

5. Adoption of Annual Financial Statement

The acting Treasurer, Sue Massey gave a brief summary of the Society’s financial position, which overall was very good. Expenditure was obviously reduced after the cessation of rehearsals in March 2020 due to rising cases of Covid-19, and the following lockdown. The May concert was also cancelled. Some

Durham Choral Society Minutes of 2019-20 AGM

1

payments were made relating to the Gala & Gloria ‘virtual’ concert, performed by some members of the choir in July 2020.

The 2019-20 Annual Financial Statement had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. Nicky Chater proposed the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Rupert Richardson and unanimously approved by all members present.

6. Adoption of the Chair’s Annual Report

The Chair’s Annual Report had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. There were no comments arising but Kate was thanked for providing another engaging and uplifting report, especially given current circumstances. Gill Aubrey proposed the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Victoria Simms and unanimously approved by all members present.

7. Election of Officers

Honorary Treasurer: Sue Massey had been co-opted as Treasurer when Janis Bell felt unable to continue in the role at the end of last year. It was proposed that Sue be elected formally as Honorary Treasurer for an initial term of 3 years. This was proposed by Nicky Chater, seconded by Rupert Richardson and unanimously approved by all members present.

Honorary Secretary and Chair: Kate Bailey as Chair, and Penny Middleton as Honorary Secretary, have both reached the end of their 5 year tenure and aim to stand down as soon as suitable replacements can be found. Given the current situation, both have agreed to stay on until October 2021 (and beyond) to manage a smooth transition. Christine Everatt proposed Kate and Penny remain in position until October. This was seconded by Richard Clements and unanimously approved by all members present.

8. Election of Committee Members

It was proposed that the rest of the committee also remain in post until October 2021. This motion was proposed by Val Wooff, seconded by John Goodwill and unanimously approved by all members present.

9. Musical Director’s address

The Musical Director, Michael Summers, addressed the choir at the end of the meeting.

Mike remarked that there was not as much to report on as previous years because of lockdown, but he wanted to praise the work of the committee and musical team for keeping the Society going in such unprecedented times. He noted that despite the lockdown there were some opportunities to sing, and mentioned the two ‘virtual’ concerts - the Gala and Gloria in July and Nine Lessons at Christmas. These did present a challenge to many members, who had to rehearse alone without the support of the other voices. Nevertheless, we rose to the occasions and both performances were a great success and well received.

Mike briefly discussed ideas for an informal concert/performance to be held at Wharton Park in July. This would feature perhaps ten choruses from the Messiah, and take the form of 3 to 4 virtual rehearsals

Durham Choral Society Minutes of 2019-20 AGM

2

on Zoom in advance of a ‘live’ informal concert in the park. Members would turn up for a short rehearsal on the day, accompanied by a small orchestra, and then perform for free to family and friends afterwards. Mike stressed that all plans are obviously subject to change depending on government guidance.

He then went on to discuss plans for the return to live rehearsals in September, and the requirement to follow regulations for choirs when issued. Also the need to be flexible and respond to changes, possibly at very short notice, particularly with regards concerts and events. The aim would be to make rehearsals as accessible as possible for members, whatever their circumstances, possibly with a mix of virtual and live rehearsals. Mike also reminded those present that by September we will not have sung together for over 18 months, so it will take some time to get back into the swing of things, and re-attune to each other.

He spoke of changing the concert format to present a lunchtime concert at the cathedral in November, since rehearsals at this time have often been very well attended in the past. The suggestion was to prepare something well-known, like Mozart’s Requiem, which would have considerable popular appeal for both members and audience. At Christmas, Mike proposed doing another joint concert with other local choirs, and that this would be a mixed virtual and live event.

He ended by stressing that although returning to singing in these times would present its own challenges it also brought an exciting opportunity to explore new ways of doing things. To that affect a member’s survey would be sent out over the summer to gauge interest in the various proposals and ascertain people’s hopes and concerns regarding returning in September. Finally, he reiterated how much he was looking forward to seeing everyone again, hopefully in July, or failing that September.

Kate thanked Mike for his comments and there was another round of applause for the Musical Director.

Any other business

The committee proposed that no subscription should be levied for the period from September 2021 to January 2022. This was proposed by Naomi Walker and seconded by Val Wooff and unanimously approved by all members present.

The meeting ended at 8.00pm.

Durham Choral Society Minutes of 2019-20 AGM

3

Opening balances 01/09/19
Unpresented cheque 2019
Concerts
Income
9,089.98
£
Expenditure
10,961.63
£
General
Income
18,701.83
£
Rehearsal Expenditure
6,912.51
£
Sundry
Income
1,186.55
£
Expenditure
1,964.25
£
Interest received
Closing balance 31/08/20
Closing balances 31/08/20
HSBC Current
HSBC Deposit
HSBC No 2
HSBC memb
CCLA Deposit
Total		 27,653.02
31,007.68
£
Expenditure
Concert Expenditure
Concert Halls
Orchestra
Soloists
Hire/Purchase/postage scores
Hire of lighting/staging
PRS payments
Printing of tickets
Printing of handbills
Printing of programmes
Hire of instruments
Summer Gala & Gloria project
Rehearsal Expenses
Rehearsal Rooms DJS bill
Rehearsal Fees(director/accompanists)
Officer Expenses
Making Music sub/insurance
Hire/Purchase/postage of vocal scores
Rehearsal CDs
Printing memb cards
Sundry Expenses
Royal Albert Hall
AGM and Dinner
Xmas charities
Purchase of folders
Website development/tech
Gift
Total Expenditure
Closing balances 31/8/20*
HSBC current
HSBC Deposit
HSBC Membership acct
CCLA Charity deposit
HSBC A/C no 2
Total funds at year end
Uncleared cheques		 2020
2019 Income
Concert Income
2,673.81
£
5,227.75
£
Tickets members
3,677.57
£
7,950.00
£
Tickets friends
697.00
£
2,400.00
£
Tickets doors
98.72
£
34.38
£
Tickets Gala
653.86
£
1,032.36
£
Wegottickets
246.67
£
50.00
£
Programmes sales
‐
£
251.19
£
‐
£
360.00
£
354.00
£
633.64
£
260.00
£
1,769.80
£
2,300.00
£
‐
£
10,961.63
£
19,709.12
£
Rehearsal Income
‐
£
5,419.50
£
Member subscriptions
5,510.00
£
5,780.00
£
Tax reclaimed
74.84
£
31.62
£
Rehearsal coffee
613.00
£
613.00
£
Amazon commission
611.47
£
344.65
£
Sale/ Hire of scores
103.20
£
143.50
£
Sale of CDs
‐
£
58.00
£
6,912.51
£
12,390.27
£
Sundry income
414.00
£
315.00
£
Royal Albert Hall
762.75
£
1,304.00
£
AGM and Dinner
600.00
£
715.00
£
Donation from sale of CDs
187.50
£
‐
£
Sale of folders
‐
£
373.75
£
‐
£
16.95
£
1,964.25
£
2,724.70
£
Interest
HSBC deposit
CCLA Charities
19,838.39
£
34,824.09
£
Total Income
Opening balances 1/9/19
3,991.62
£
13,517.14
£
HSBC current
1,272.17
£
1,269.69
£
HSBC deposit
12,809.49
£
‐
£
memb C/F
12,925.85
£
12,857.64
£
CCLA Charities Deposit
8.55
£
8.55
£
HSBC A/C 2
31,007.68
£
27,653.02
£
5,856.00
£
31,007.68
£
21,797.02
£
50,846.07
£
56,621.11
£
Account Balance for Durham Choral Society 2019 ‐ 2020*		 2020
2019 Income
Concert Income
2,673.81
£
5,227.75
£
Tickets members
3,677.57
£
7,950.00
£
Tickets friends
697.00
£
2,400.00
£
Tickets doors
98.72
£
34.38
£
Tickets Gala
653.86
£
1,032.36
£
Wegottickets
246.67
£
50.00
£
Programmes sales
‐
£
251.19
£
‐
£
360.00
£
354.00
£
633.64
£
260.00
£
1,769.80
£
2,300.00
£
‐
£
10,961.63
£
19,709.12
£
Rehearsal Income
‐
£
5,419.50
£
Member subscriptions
5,510.00
£
5,780.00
£
Tax reclaimed
74.84
£
31.62
£
Rehearsal coffee
613.00
£
613.00
£
Amazon commission
611.47
£
344.65
£
Sale/ Hire of scores
103.20
£
143.50
£
Sale of CDs
‐
£
58.00
£
6,912.51
£
12,390.27
£
Sundry income
414.00
£
315.00
£
Royal Albert Hall
762.75
£
1,304.00
£
AGM and Dinner
600.00
£
715.00
£
Donation from sale of CDs
187.50
£
‐
£
Sale of folders
‐
£
373.75
£
‐
£
16.95
£
1,964.25
£
2,724.70
£
Interest
HSBC deposit
CCLA Charities
19,838.39
£
34,824.09
£
Total Income
Opening balances 1/9/19
3,991.62
£
13,517.14
£
HSBC current
1,272.17
£
1,269.69
£
HSBC deposit
12,809.49
£
‐
£
memb C/F
12,925.85
£
12,857.64
£
CCLA Charities Deposit
8.55
£
8.55
£
HSBC A/C 2
31,007.68
£
27,653.02
£
5,856.00
£
31,007.68
£
21,797.02
£
50,846.07
£
56,621.11
£
Account Balance for Durham Choral Society 2019 ‐ 2020*		 2020
2019
2,354.58
£
6,131.59
£
1,280.00
£
1,594.00
£
1,134.00
£
946.00
£
2,193.30
£
4,191.40
£
1,707.00
£
599.50
£
421.10
£
771.66
£		 2020
2019
2,354.58
£
6,131.59
£
1,280.00
£
1,594.00
£
1,134.00
£
946.00
£
2,193.30
£
4,191.40
£
1,707.00
£
599.50
£
421.10
£
771.66
£
9,089.98
£		 14,234.15
£
17,809.49
£
17,473.83
£
‐
£
2,890.26
£
193.09
£
424.60
£
91.09
£
113.15
£
478.46
£
727.80
£
129.70
£
120.00
£
18,701.83
£		 21,749.64
£
414.00
£
315.00
£
765.55
£
1,172.00
£
‐
£
345.85
£
7.00
£
42.00
£
1,186.55
£		 1,874.85
£
2.48
£
2.16
£
68.21
£
69.29
£
70.69
£		 71.45
£
29,049.05
£		 37,930.09
£
13,517.14
£
4,538.59
£
1,269.69
£
1,267.53
£
‐
£
88.00
£
12,857.64
£
12,788.35
£
8.55
£
8.55
£
27,653.02
£		 18,691.02
£
5,856.00
£
31,007.68
£		 21,797.02
£		 21,797.02
£		 18,691.02
£
50,846.07
£		 56,621.11
£		 50,846.07
£		 56,621.11
£
Christmas Concert Balance
Held 14th Dec 2019 Elvet Methodist
Expenditure
Organist
Programmes
Tickets Printing
Rent Elvet
PRS Payment
Fliers
Music hire fee
Staging
Pianist
Charity contributions:		 100.00
£
129.00
£
76.66
£
130.00
£
50.00
£
90.00
£
5.00
£
25.80
£
150.00
£		 Income
Member Ticket Sales
Friends Tickets
Door Tickets
Gala tickets
We got tickets
Programme sales
Music hire Income		 329.64
£
190.00
£
534.00
£
100.80
£
182.00
£
121.10
£
13.00
£
756.46
£		 1,470.54
£
Profit
714.08
£
Blood Cancer Reasearch
Project(Elvet)
Durham County Youth Choir		 714.08
£		 £350.00
£250.00
£125.00

Concert account for Wood and Faure performed at Durham Cathedral 25th Jan 2020 with Sir Thomas Allen and John Lewis Orchestra

Concert account for Wood and Faure performed at Durham Cathedral 25th Jan 2020 with Sir Thomas Allen
and John Lewis Orchestra		 Concert account for Wood and Faure performed at Durham Cathedral 25th Jan 2020 with Sir Thomas Allen
and John Lewis Orchestra		 Concert account for Wood and Faure performed at Durham Cathedral 25th Jan 2020 with Sir Thomas Allen
and John Lewis Orchestra
Expenditure
Durham Cathedral
Organ hire
Orchestra and Accommodation
Soloists and expenses
Lighting
Programmes
Ticket printing
Fliers
Score Hire
PRS est
Choir Music Postage est		 Income
£2,543.81 Members ticket sales
£260.00 Friends tickets
£3,677.57 Gala Box Office
£447.00 WeGet Tickets
£628.06 Door Takings
£225.00 Programmes
£76.66 Choir Music
£0.00
£20.00
£400.00
£20.00
Loss
£8,298.10		 £1,986.94
£545.00
£2,092.50
£1,525.00
£600.00
£300.00
£374.00
£7,423.44
‐£874.66
£8,298.10
Recording for Gala and Gloria July 2020 Recording for Gala and Gloria July 2020
Expenditure
Gala and Gloria tracks £1,200.00
Videography £1,100.00
£2,300.00

ADDITIONAL NOTES TO 19 20 ACCOUNTS

Full membership fees were collected in 2019. 2020 was the year dominated by 6 months of the pandemic (March to August). Some expenditure invoices were late and some income was not banked till the next financial year for reasons which will be set out in the Chairman’s report. A true picture of the financial year’s activity cannot be shown in simple income and expenditure accounts. However the Concert Balances reflect income and expenditure from both financial years.

The following items will appear in the 20 21 ledger, but pertain to 19 20 finances. Note that money for the library also includes activity for the Haydn and Schubert scores which have not been performed so do not appear in concert balances.

Invoices Expenditure Cash Income
DJS rent £3980.00 CD £15.50
Prompt CDs £42.00 Coffee sales £67.09
Fliers Dec £90.00 Folder sales £77.00
Membershipcards £36.00 Score hire fees £655.00
Ticketprinting £222.97 Score sale £13.50
Durham Music Trust £125.00 HMRC Gift Aid £3621.41
John Lewis CDs £60.00
Postage of John Lewis scores
TOTAL £4555.97 £4449.50

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PRS (Performing Rights Society) submission has been made and lies with the Cathedral. This is likely to be an expenditure of £400.

Some members are holding tickets for the Royal Albert Hall which has been postponed to 2021. This has been channelled through our accounts but does not affect the balances.

The Christmas Concert (2019) produced a profit which has been distributed to charity as shown on the concert balances.

Our memorable last concert with Sir Tom Allen and Elizabeth Woods performing This Joyous Night (Woods) and the Faure Requiem, was well supported and made a negligible loss. Cathedral concerts are expensive to stage and can make losses of up to £5000 which the members subsidise with their subscriptions. This contributed to the healthy financial position that the Society finds itself in.

The Society has 32 Friends who only received a proportion of the value of their subscription so this represents somewhere in the region of between £545 and £640 depending what nominal value is put on these tickets as part of the Friends’ subscription. There were also two advance ticket sales for the May concert (£38) which did not take place. Fortunately the financial position of the society has been fairly secure which has allowed us to make a virtual recording and videography of Gala and Gloria to support the Brassfest in July.

Inde endent Examinerfs Re ort To the Trustees of DURHAM CHORAL SOCIETY: I report on the account for Durham Choral Society for the financial year September 2019 August 2020, which is set out on the Account Balance Sheet attached. Respective responsibilities of trustee5 and examiner As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation: you consider that the audit requirements of Section 43121 of the Charitie5 Act 1993 {the Act) do not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Dirertions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 4317llbl of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 concernin8 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examinerfs Statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention: {ii which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met- or 121 to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reached. Signed Date Durham

Inde endent Examinerfs Re ort To the Trustees of DURHAM CHORAL SOCIETY: I report on the account for Durham Choral Society for the financial year September 2019 August 2020, which is set out on the Account Balance Sheet attached. Respective responsibilities of trustee5 and examiner As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation: you consider that the audit requirements of Section 43121 of the Charitie5 Act 1993 {the Act) do not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Dirertions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 4317llbl of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 concernin8 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examinerfs Statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention: {ii which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met- or 121 to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reached. Signed Date Durham