CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 Charity name: Durham Choral Society Charity registration number: 514557 1. Objectives and Activities SORP reference Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 The objects of Durham Choral Society (DCS) are: the study and practice of choral music in order to educate the public in the knowledge and appreciation of such music by the presentation of concerts and other activities. to further such charitable purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit, financially or otherwise but in particular by the making of small grants and donations. DCS is a membership organisation that carries out the following activities: Three choral concerts each year performed in local venues. Weekly rehearsals for the above. Other singing opportunities as they arise e.g., Durham Vocal Festival, carol singing at University Hospital of North Durham, joint concerts with other choirs. Cowordinating and publicising other singing opportunities and events e.g. The Really Big Chorus events, local choral events, community events at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 and 1.19 Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Para 1.18 All trustees have been provided with the guidance on public benefit. All decisions are taken to ensure that the main activities as outlined in our charltable objectives can take place. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about". SORP reference Policy on grant making Para 1.38 DCS does not make grants per se but does make donations to local charities using the profits from one concert annually. The charity(ies) are usually chosen via nominations from members. nla Policy on social investment including program related investment Contribution made by volunteers Para 1.38 Para 1.38 DCS is run by volunteers, without whom the Choir could not operate. In 2023-24 there were 11 committee members and three co-opted members, all with defined roles. In addition, there were eight volunteers from the membership who carried out specific tasks and six other volunteers who helped out at concerts. The hours of volunteers are not recorded. Other Achievements and Performance SORP reference Summary ofthe main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Para 1.20 This was the second full year of activity following the hiatus caused by the Covid pandemic and the society continued to recover. DCS organised and promoted three concerts throughout the year along with 30 weekly rehearsals. These were held at Durham School as our former rehearsal venue was not available. One concert was held at Elvet Methodist Church as planned (December 2023). This was held jointly with Northern Spirit Singers and Durham Music Youth Choirs. It featured music by our President, Will Todd. Profits from the December concert were donated to Durham Music Trust. Two concerts were held in Durham Cathedral as planned (January 2024 and May 2024). We trialled online programmes for the first time and plan to continue using them in the future. A survey was carrled out In the summer of 2024 to ascertaln members, vlews on the Current business model and possible changes to it. We tried to revive our longstanding tradition of singing carols at the local hospital but were advised by the hospital authorities that it would not be possible this year. DCS attracted 21 Friends of Durham Choral Society. Beneficiaries Members of the biggest non-auditioned choir in the Northeast Region - 114 paid up members during the year. Friends of Durham Choral Society - 21 during the year. Professional and semi-professional musicians - musical team, orchestra. soloists - typical concert in Durham Cathedral has four professional soloists and full orchestra. The total was 67 during the year. Works by living composers were performed at two concerts {Christmas and May) Choirs with whom we did joint concerts including young singers in the Durham Music Trust choirs. Audiences - almost 1000 tickets were sold over all three concerts. Venues hired for concerts and rehearsals - Durham Cathedral who also acts as tlcketlng agent, Elvet Methodist Church, Durham School. Businesses acting as suppliers for DCS e.g. a local printer, staging and lighting contractor, providers of musical scores etc Benefits As a non4uditioned choir, members have the opportunity to participate in performances of the "big choral works" in a prestigious venue. Participating in music making is well known to improve well-being in adults. Young singers are welcomed at our Christmas Concert. Economic benefits through holding and promoting concerts e.g. hiring venues, musicians and music, attracting audiences, using local suppliers etc with the knock on effect into local businesses such as cafes and shops. For audience members - we offer the opportunity to attend live classical choral events, which enrich the choice of events locally. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Achievements against Para 1.41 ectives set Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Investment performance ainst ob-ectives Other Para 1.41 Para 1.41 Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 DCS had a strong year financially supported by more "normal" income in the second full year of activity following the Covid pandemic lower costs for rehearsal venues hirin smaller strin sonl orchestra for the Ma concert Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Para 1.22 It is the charity's policy to hold reserves. Reserves are held at a level which protects trustees from financial hardship should we have to cancel a concert in our main venue (Durham Cathedral). Insurance is held through membership of Making Music but some costs arising from cancellation are not covered. £14101 which re resents 32 /0 of turnover. nla Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reseNes Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.22 Para 1.22 Para 1.24 nla Para 1.23 At the present time there are no financial concerns. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. The charity's principal Para 1.47 DCS principal sources of funds during the year were: sources of funds (including Membership subscriptions (49 % ) any fundraising) Ticket sales (270/0 Glft Aid {10 /0) Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 nla A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Our main risks continue to be: Concert format becoming unsustainable - Durham Cathedral is the only local venue big enough to hold the choir, full orchestra and audience. If costs rise too much, then we will have nowhere to perform in Durham City and will have to look further afield or change our business model. Cost of living affecting membership numbers and audience numbers Securing enough trustees and volunteers from the membership to run DCS Other DCS reviewed its financial processes in 2022-23 and a financial policy was adopted by the committee early in 2023-24. Financial rocesses have been reviewed a ain durin the ear. Structure Governance and Mana Description of charity s trusts: Type of governing document ement Para 1.25 DCS has a constitution How is the charity constituted? Para 1.25 Unincorporated association of members run by a committee. Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 The committee (including officers of DCS and other members) is elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting with terms of office specified In the constitution. Addltlonal Informatlon (optlonal) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Policies and procedures Para 1.51 All trustees are provided with guidance from the Charity Commission on the roles and adopted for the induction and responsibilities of trustees on appointment. training of trustees There is a committee handbook which outlines the duties of each committee role which is shared with all committee members The first committee meeting after the AGM is used as general induction One-tovone sessions are held between the chair and new committee members to discuss roles as required Training and resources for trustees are offered by various organisations and opportunities are circulated to the committee. All committee members are required to report any conflicts of interest. The charity's organisational structure and any wider ne￿Ork with which the charit works Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 DCS is affiliated to Making Music (Registered charity 249219) Par8 1.51 Two concerts during the year were held at Durham Cathedral (Registered charity 1205971) One concert in 2023-24 was held jointly with other choirs: o Christmas concert involved Durham Music Youth and Training Choirs which are organised by Durham Music Trust (Registered charity 1169848) and Northern Spirit singers The Christmas concert and occasional rehearsals are held at premises operated by Durham City Methodists (Registered charity 1126844). Most rehearsals were held at Durham School which is part of Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation (Registered charity 1023407) The Musical Director, Assistant Conductor and Accompanist are freelance and receive annual honoraria. The Assistsnt Accom anist is aid on a sessional basis. Other Reference and Administrative details Charit name Durham Choral Societ Other name the charit uses nla Re istered charit number 514557 /0 Chair of Durham Choral Society 31 Peterborough Road Newton Hall Durham DH15QX Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Datas acted If not for whole ear Trustee name Office (if any) Name of person lor body) entltled toa oint trustee ifan Valerie Wooff Chair Claire Horwell Hon Secretary Hon Treasurer Susan Massey Victoria Nower Catharine Deeming Fiona Gameson Librarian Venue Liaison From 811212023 Concert Administrator Angela Eddy Assistant Venue liaison From 811212023 Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re ortwasa roved Dlrector name Nla Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole ear Nla Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Descri tion of the assets held in this ca acit nla Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charit 's ob'ects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity's own assets Additional information tional Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) e of adviser Name Address External examiner Rebecca Davison ICAEW Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details Other o tional information Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date Jane Ann Abel Secretary 0710512025 |Expenditure
Concert Expenditure
Concert Halls
instruments
Orchestra
Soloists
Hire/Purchase/postage orch scores
Hire of lightng/staging
PRS payments
Printng of handbills
Printng of programmes
Rehearsal Expenses
Rehearsal Rooms D School /Elvet
Rehearsal Fees(director/accompanists)
Ofcer Expenses inc website
Making Music sub/insurance
Hire/Purchase/postage of vocal scores
Rehearsal CDs
Folders
Sundry Expenses
Dinner
Xmas charites
Charitable don Ann Crawford RIP
Hardship donatons utlised
Total Expenditure
Closing balances 31/8/24
Cooperatve Charity Acct
CCLA Charity deposit
Total funds at year end
Uncleared cheques|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2023 - 2024|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2023 - 2024|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2023 - 2024|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2023 - 2024|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2023 - 2024|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2023 - 2024| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||2024|||2023||| ||Restricted funds|Un restricted
funds|Total|Restricted
funds|Un restricted
funds|Total| ||£ - £ 7,987.98£ 7,987.98
£ 300.00£ 300.00
£ - £ 7,559.00£ 7,559.00
£ - £ 3,325.00£ 3,325.00
£ - £ 253.42£ 253.42
£ - £ 2,963.16£ 2,963.16
£ - £ 195.40£ 195.40
£ - £ 186.80£ 186.80
£ - £ 342.09£ 342.09|||£ - £ 7,181.28£ 7,181.28
£ - £ 9,090.00£ 9,090.00
£ - £ 3,300.00£ 3,300.00
£ - £ 474.98£ 474.98
£ - £ 3,917.40£ 3,917.40
£ - £ 55.00£ 55.00
£ - £ 147.82£ 147.82
£ - £ 860.37£ 860.37||| ||£ -|£ 23,112.85|£ 23,112.85|£ -|£ 25,026.85|£ 25,026.85| ||£ - £ 4,997.25£ 4,997.25
£ - £ 6,115.00£ 6,115.00
£ - £ 476.45£ 476.45
£ - £ 675.00£ 675.00
£ - £ 1,871.89£ 1,871.89
£ - £ 236.00£ 236.00
£ - £ 129.00£ 129.00|||£ - £ 6,287.25£ 6,287.25
£ - £ 6,080.00£ 6,080.00
£ - £ 110.99£ 110.99
£ - £ 390.00£ 390.00
£ - £ 407.32£ 407.32
£ - £ 166.90£ 166.90
£ - £ -£ -||| ||£ -|£ 14,500.59|£ 14,500.59|£ -|£ 13,442.46|£ 13,442.46| ||£ -
£ -
£ - £ 646.91£ 646.91
£ - £ 2,250.00£ 2,250.00
£ -
£ -
£ 325.00
£ 325.00
£ -|||£ - £ 1,178.90£ 1,178.90
£ - £ 675.00£ 675.00
£ - £ 50.00£ 50.00
£ 275.00 £ -£ 275.00||| ||£ 325.00|£ 2,896.91|£ 3,221.91|£ 275.00|£ 1,903.90|£ 2,178.90| ||£ -|||||| ||£ 325.00|£ 40,510.35|£ 40,835.35|£ 275.00|£ 40,373.21|£ 40,648.21| ||£ - £ 9,653.01£ 9,653.01
£ - £ 14,101.03£ 14,101.03|||£ - £ 6,899.76£ 6,899.76
£ - £ 13,399.92£ 13,399.92||| ||£ -|£ 23,754.04|£ 23,754.04|£ -|£ 20,299.68|£ 20,299.68| |||||||| ||£ -|£ 23,754.04|£ 23,754.04|£ -|£ 20,299.68|£ 20,299.68| ||£ 325.00|£ 64,264.39|£ 64,589.39|£ 275.00|£ 60,672.89|£ 60,947.89| |Income
Concert Income
Tickets members Elvet
Ticket Cathedral
Tickets Door Elvet
Wegotckets Elvet
Programmes sales
Leeds Phil Donaton
Private sponsorship
Rehearsal Income
Member subscriptons
Tax reclaimed
Sale/ Hire of scores
Loan of Missa breva
Sale of CDs
Sundry income
Dinner
Sale of folders
Member Donatons
Friends Donatons
Patron Donaton
Subsidised memb Donatons
Fundraising
Interest
CCLA Charites
Total Income
Opening balances 1/9/23
CCLA Charites Deposit
Cooperatve Charity Acct|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2022 - 2023|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2022 - 2023|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2022 - 2023|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2022 - 2023|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2022 - 2023|Account Balance for Durham Choral Society2022 - 2023| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||2024
|||2023
||| ||Restricted funds|~~Un restricted~~
funds|Total|Restricted funds|~~Un restricted~~
funds|Total| ||£ - £ 991.00 £ 991.00
£ - £ 8,627.26 £ 8,627.26
£ - £ 772.00 £ 772.00
£ - £ 1,587.00 £ 1,587.00
£ - £ 536.50 £ 536.50
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -|||£ - £ 685.00 £ 685.00
£ - £ 12,436.95 £ 12,436.95
£ - £ 445.00 £ 445.00
£ - £ 460.00 £ 460.00
£ - £ 886.80 £ 886.80
£ - £ 3,000.00 £ 3,000.00
£ - £ 1,125.00 £ 1,125.00||| ||£ -|£ 12,513.76|£ 12,513.76|£ -|£ 19,038.75|£ 19,038.75| ||£ - £ 21,725.00 £ 21,725.00
£ - £ 4,419.39 £ 4,419.39
£ - £ 1,997.00 £ 1,997.00
£ - £ 141.45 £ 141.45
£ - £ 241.00 £ 241.00|||£ - £ 20,607.00 £ 20,607.00
£ - £ 1,416.50 £ 1,416.50
£ - £ 1,317.95 £ 1,317.95
£ - £ 225.00 £ 225.00
£ - £ 215.50 £ 215.50||| ||£ -|£ 28,523.84|£ 28,523.84|£ -|£ 23,781.95|£ 23,781.95| ||£ - £ 760.00 £ 760.00
£ - £ 69.00 £ 69.00
£ - £ 85.00 £ 85.00
£ - £ 700.00 £ 700.00
£ 400.00 £ 400.00
£ 325.00 £ - £ 325.00
£ - £ 212.00 £ 212.00|||£ - £ 1,175.00 £ 1,175.00
£ - £ 78.40 £ 78.40
£ - £ 83.00 £ 83.00
£ - £ 655.00 £ 655.00
£ 275.00 £ - £ 275.00
£ - £ 45.00 £ 45.00||| ||£ 325.00|£ 2,226.00|£ 2,551.00|£ 275.00|£ 2,036.40|£ 2,311.40| ||£ - £ 701.11 £ 701.11|||£ - £ 425.14 £ 425.14||| ||£ -|£ 701.11|£ 701.11|£ -|£ 425.14|£ 425.14| |||||||| ||£ 325.00|£ 43,964.71|£ 44,289.71|£ 275.00|£ 45,282.24|£ 45,557.24| ||£ -£ 6,899.76 £ 6,899.76
£ - £ 13,399.92 £ 13,399.92|||£ -£ 2,415.87 £ 2,415.87
£ - £ 12,974.78 £ 12,974.78||| ||£ -|£ 20,299.68|£ 20,299.68|£ -|£ 15,390.65|£ 15,390.65| |||||||| ||£ 325.00|£ 64,264.39|£ 64,589.39|£ 275.00|£ 60,672.89|£ 60,947.89| ## Notes to the Accounts |Movement in funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Subsidised membership Fund|£ 20,299.68 £ 43,964.71 £ 40,510.35 £ 23,754.04
£ -£ 325.00 £ 325.00 £ -
September
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
Expended
Balance at 31
August 2024| |---|---| ||£ - £ 325.00 £ 325.00 £ -| The Subsidised Membership fund accrued £325 in donations. Four members availed themselves of this fund, 3 for the full year and 1 for half the year. £210 was paid to cover £685 worth of subscriptions. The deficit was £475, which was partially covered by the donations. There are no funds at present in this hardship fund as of September 2024. Opening balances 01/09/23 20,299.68 Credit |Concerts
Income
£ 12,513.76
Expenditure
£ 23,112.85
General
Income
£ 28,523.84
Rehearsal Expenditure
£ 14,500.59
Sundry
Income
£ 2,551.00
Expenditure
£ 3,221.91
Interest received
£ 701.11
Closing balance 31/08/24
Closing balances 31/08/24
Cooperatve Charity
CCLA Deposit
Total|(10,599.09)Defcit
14,023.25 Credit
(670.91)Defcit
701.11 Credit
23,754.04 Credit
£ 9,653.01
£ 14,101.03
£ 23,754.04 Credit| |---|---| ||£ 23,754.04| |Concert account for Will Todd Christmas Music performed in Elvet on December 16th 2023|Concert account for Will Todd Christmas Music performed in Elvet on December 16th 2023|Concert account for Will Todd Christmas Music performed in Elvet on December 16th 2023||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Expenditure||Income||| |Elvet Methodist Church|£204.75|Advance Ticket Sales|£991.00|| |PRS|£55.00|Door Takings|£772.00|| |Musicians|£750.00|Wegetckets on line|£1,587.00|| |Podium|£35.16|Choir Music|£860.00|| |Fliers|£36.80|||| |Choir Music|£847.20|||| |Totals|£1,928.91||£4,210.00|| ||proft|£2,281.09||| ||£2250 distributed to Durham Music Trust - main objectve of this concert|||| ||Balance (£31.09) retained for Choir funds|||| |||||| |Concert balance|for Mozart's Mass in C Minor performed in Durham Cathedral on January 20th 2024|||| |Expenditure||Income||| |Durham Cathedral|£3,968.24|Cathedral Ticketng minus commission|£4,378.54|| |Organ|£300.00|Programmes|£306.50|| |Orchestra and expenses|£5,322.00|Choir Music Hire|£331.00|| |Soloists and expenses|£2,125.00|||| |Orchestra Music and postage|£148.22|||| |Lightng and Staging|£1,355.52|||| |Programmes|£201.55|||| |Fliers|£54.00|||| |Score Hire/Postage/Replacement|£420.24|||| ||£13,894.77||£5,016.04|| ||Loss|-£8,878.73||| |||||| |Concert balance for Schubert's Mass in G and Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass performed in Durham Cathedral on May 18th|||2024|| |Expenditure||Income||| |Durham Cathedral|£3,814.98|Cathedral Ticketng minus commission|£4,248.72|| |Orchestra and expenses|£2,787.00|Programmes|£227.00|| |Soloists and expenses|£650.00|Choir Music Hire|£806.00|| |Orchestra Music and postage|£105.20|||| |Lightng and Staging|£1,572.48|||| |Programmes|£139.40|||| |Fliers|£94.00|||| |Score Hire|£389.80|||| |PRS|£140.40|||| ||£9,693.26||£5,281.72|| ||Loss|-£4,411.54||| Expendlwwe C¢n¢ert expe￿￿re CLmcert Hau5 7387.98 £ 7J87S8 7.18L28 £ 7J8128 Orthe5b 7559.1x1 £ >.5￿￿1 3J2%4XI É 25U2 E Sddsts 3J(QCQ £ 47498 £ F￿￿e/pUrd￿selpDsts￿e￿th S£￿e5 F￿￿e0f Iiehtirf￿¥Ir￿ PRSp3yments PrlrrtlEY of hanth￿ PrlEJtlngofFYowammes I￿16 £ 3917.40 É 55.DJ £ 3J17AO 147A2 £ 34Z(YJ £ 8f1137 £ 25￿2&85 P4hv•ml Expenses RehEarsal R(th)s D SthocllE RehEarg1 FWlthrectorl￿CoMp￿stsI OFficwExpwse51ncweb5fte M*lngMu51¢subllr*uron¢e Hlre/purthase/r• ofbr