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2022-07-31-accounts

Leeds Festival Chorus Annual Report 2021/22 Season

Annual Report of the Trustees and

Financial Statements for the

Year ended 31 July 2022

For

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

Registered Charity 517127

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2022

Page
Trustees’ Annual Report 1
Report of the Independent Examiner 3
Statement of Financial Activities 4
Balance Sheet 5
Notes to the Accounts 6

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year ended 31 July 2022

Structure, Governance and Management

The charity is an unincorporated body governed by its constitution and guidelines issued by the Charity Commission.

Trustees (Executive Committee) Elected Officers: John Apps Andrew Smith Peter Coltman Fiona Kirkby

Chairman Administrative Secretary/Treasurer Concerts Organiser Choir Coordinator

Other trustees in the year were as follows: Emma Bates Mac Burnell (resigned 06.10.21) Harriet Carlyle (resigned 06.10.21) Michael Croft (resigned 06.10.21) Mary Crothers (resigned 06.10.21) Jonathan Lacey (resigned 18.02.22)

Margaret Mara James Moxon (appointed 06.10.21) Anna Pitt (appointed 06.10.21) Gillian Riley (appointed 06.10.21) Judith Scott (appointed 06.10.21)

Appointment and recruitment of Trustees

The executive committee works with the Artistic Advisor (the conductor) to run Leeds Festival Chorus in accordance with the Constitution. The full committee are elected on an annual basis at the Annual General Meeting. All Chorus members are encouraged to consider standing.

Legal and Administrative Information

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission Number 517127.

The charity’s address is:c/o Dr A Smith 28 Boroughbridge Road Knaresborough HG5 0NJ The charity’s bankers are:CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ The charity’s independent examiner is:Andrew Wilkinson FCA Malcolm Jones & Co Limited Accountants and Business Advisors West Hill House Allerton Hill Chapel Allerton Leeds LS7 3QB

Page 1

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year ended 31 July 2022 (cont)

Objects

The objects of the charity are to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals and in such other ways as the charity through its Executive Committee shall determine from time to time.

Review of Activities and Achievements

The charity achieved its aims in the period under review by continuing to promote and deliver choral concerts. Two factors had a significant effect on concert income during the year – the closure of Leeds Town Hall for refurbishment, and the reluctance of people to attend concerts in the Covid era. We have performed 5 concerts, and all of the audiences have been considerably smaller than at pre-pandemic concerts.

Reserves Policy

The charity’s policy on reserves is to ensure that sufficient unrestricted net current assets (liquid reserves) are maintained to enable the charity to continue for at least the next twelve months in the event that there is an unpredicted and/or significant drop in income levels. The Trustees consider that the current level of liquid reserves (£28,048) is less than 12 months worth of unrestricted ordinary expenditure (£51,366) and therefore does not meet the requirements of this policy. Accordingly the committee is undertaking steps to rectify this issue.

Risk management

The Trustees examine the major risks that the charity faces each financial year when considering their plans and annual budgets. The charity has controls in place to control these risks and mitigate any impact they may have on the charity’s future.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.

Financial Review

The reserves of the charity are both restricted and unrestricted in nature.

As noted in the Reserves policy above, the Trustees are of the opinion that the levels of reserves may not be adequate in exceptional circumstances to meet future expenditure and to fulfil the charity’s ongoing aims and objectives. There is a deficit on ordinary activities for the year of £10,119 (2021 - £9,212 surplus) which has been taken from reserves. The total reserves at the year end amount to £55,583 (2021 - £65,702) of which £6,079 (2021 - £6,079) are restricted.

On behalf of the Trustees

……………………………………………………. John Apps, Chairman

19 October 2022

Page 2

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 July 2022 which are set out on pages 4 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

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 explanation from you as trustees concerning 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:

  2. to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Andrew Wilkinson FCA Malcolm Jones & Co Limited Accountants & Business Advisors West Hill House Allerton Hill Chapel Allerton Leeds LS7 3QB

19 October 2022

Page 3

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Statement of Financial Activities for the Year ended 31 July 2022

Notes
Incoming resources:
Voluntary income
6
Activities for generating funds
8
Investment income
9
Incoming resources from charitable
activities
10
Total incoming resources:
Resources expended:
Costs of generating voluntary income
11
Fundraising & trading costs
12
Charitable activities
13
Governance costs
14
Total resources expended
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources
on ordinary activities for the year
Exceptional item
15
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources
for the year
Total charity funds brought forward
Total charity funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
31.07.22
31.07.21
£
£
34,693
-
34,693
35,503
2,784
-
2,784
-
31
-
31
5
2,014
-
2,014
277
39,522
-
39,522
35,785
316
-
316
-
41,654
-
41,654
15,188
1,100
-
1,100
550
6,571
-
6,571
10,835
49,641
-
49,641
26,573
(10,119)
-
(10,119)
9,212
-
-
-
-
(10,119)
-
(10,119)
9,212
59,623
6,079
65,702
56,490
49,504
6,079
55,583
65,702

The notes on pages 6 to 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 4

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2022

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
2
Current Assets
Other debtors
3
Cash at bank and in hand
Current Liabilities
Creditors & accrued expenses
4
Net current assets
Net assets
Represented by:
FUNDS
Restricted income funds:
Balance at 1 August 2021
Net incoming resources for the year
Unrestricted income funds:
Balance at 1 August 2021
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources
for the year
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS
5		 £
434
43,951		 2022

£
19,731




35,852		 2021
£
£
19,104
255
54,548
54,803
8,205
46,598
65,702
6,079
-
6,079
50,411
9,212
59,623
65,702		 2021
£
£
19,104
255
54,548
54,803
8,205
46,598
65,702
6,079
-
6,079
50,411
9,212
59,623
65,702
44,385
8,533		 54,803
8,205
59,623
(10,119)		 50,411
9,212
55,583 65,702
6,079
-		 6,079
-
6,079


49,504
55,583		 6,079
59,623
65,702

Approved by the Trustees

………………………………………………. John Apps, Chairman

For and on behalf of the Trustees

19 October 2022

The notes on pages 6 to 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 5

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2022

1. Accounting Policies

General

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and reporting by Charities: 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 (FRS 102), the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue.

Incoming Resources

All income is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA), when it becomes receivable.

Resources Expended

All resources expended are recognised on an accruals basis, in the period in which they are incurred.

Grants Payable

Grants payable are included in the SOFA when agreed by the Trustees.

Funds Structure Policy

Funds comprise unrestricted income funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in the furtherance of the charity’s objectives, and restricted funds which are dealt with and presented in accordance with the terms attaching to each separate restricted fund.

Tangible Assets

Tangible assets are capitalised at cost including any incidental expenses of Acquisition. A wear and tear allowance is provided at 10% on a reducing balance basis in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life and reflects the wish of the trustees to account for losses/damage etc. to its music library.

2. Tangible Assets

At valuation
At 1 August 2021
Additions in the year
Wear and tear provision (10%)
At 31 July 2022		 Music
Library
£
19,104
2,820
(2,193)
19,731

Page 6

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2022 (cont)

3. Other debtors

Prepayments
Corporate sponsors
4.
Creditors
Accrued expenses
5.
Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Music Library
General Fund
Restricted Funds
Chorus Master Scholarship Monies
Music to my Ears
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS
6.
Voluntary Income
Members’ subscriptions
Friends’ subscriptions
Tax refund on covenanted subscriptions
Fundraising and social group
Grants, donations and sponsorship
Legacies		 2021
£
19,104
40,519
59,623
1,471
4,608
6,079
65,702
Note
7		 2022
£
434
-
434
2022
£
8,533
Movement
£
627
(10,746)
(10,119)
-
-
-
(10,119)
31.07.22
£
20,027
1,375
4,684
1,750
6,857
-
34,693		 2021
£
255
-
255
2021
£
8,205
2022
£
19,731
29,773
49,504
1,471
4,608
6,079
55,583
31.07.21
£
19,086
1,492
4,927
1,370
5,826
2,802
35,503

Page 7

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts

for the Year ended 31 July 2022 (cont)

7. Grants, donations, sponsorship and patrons

7.
Grants, donations, sponsorship and patrons
Miscellaneous donations
J Apps
S Archbold
Olav Arnold Charitable Trust
M Beer
N Jones
M Kirkby
T Lusty
W Mordy
A Smith
M Stanyard
D Strachan
Rev M Winbolt-Lewis
S Wright
8.
Activities for generating funds
Concerts and recitals
Christmas CD income
9.
Investment income
Bank interest received
10.
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Library income
11.
Costs of generating voluntary income
Publicity programmes, brochures and advertising		 31.07.22
£
3,904
175
35
1,000
300
300
160
20
300
12
156
175
300
20
6,857
31.07.22
£
2,784
-
2,784
31.07.22
£
31
31.07.22
£
2,014
31.07.22
£
316		 31.07.21
£
3,901
150
-
1,000
300
-
-
-
-
-
-
175
300
-
5,826
31.07.21
£
-
-
-
31.07.21
£
5
31.07.21
£
277
31.07.21
£
-

Page 8

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2022 (cont)

12.
Fundraising & trading costs
Hire of music
Online recording
Concert costs
Rehearsal costs
Auditions
13.
Charitable activities
Donations
14.
Governance costs
Subscriptions and insurance
Printing, postage, stationery and administrative expenses
Accountancy and Independent Examiner’s fee
Friends’ and patrons’ expenses
Sundry expenses
Consultancy fees
Website costs and design
Zoom costs
Library expenses
Music storage
Music wear and tear allowance
Scholar costs re restricted funds
Bank charges		 31.07.22
£
1,053
-
17,767
22,834
-
41,654
31.07.22
£
1,100
31.07.22
£
618
-
1,509
401
184
-
500
144
503
390
2,193
-
129
6,571		 31.07.21
£
388
1,000
-
13,800
-
15,188
31.07.21
£
550
31.07.21
£
613
413
1,280
394
35
4,750
-
528
439
325
2,122
-
146
10,835

15. Trustees Remuneration

No Trustees or any persons connected with them have received remuneration (2021 – nil).

16. Trustees Expenses

Four Trustees (2021 – three) have been reimbursed out of pocket expenses totalling £371 (2021 - £1,371).

Page 9

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2022 (cont)

17. Staff Costs and Emoluments

There were no employees with emoluments in the year (2021 – nil).

Preparation of accounts and associated costs were £1,509 (2021 - £1,320).

Page 10

Treasurer’s Report 2021-22

This has been a busy year for the choir, all the more unusual because it followed the Covid pandemic and lockdown.

Two factors have had a significant effect on our concert income during the year – the closure of Leeds Town Hall for refurbishment, and the reluctance of people to attend concerts in the Covid era. We have performed 5 concerts (and cancelled the Christmas concert), unfortunately none of them have attracted an audience of a similar size to pre-pandemic concerts.

I would like to draw your attention to the following

  1. Page 4: Statement of Financial Activities. You can see that total income rose slightly from £35,785 to £39,522.

  2. Voluntary income (note 6 - which includes FRASC – see page 7) dropped slightly from £35.5k to £34.7k, with donations etc (which is included in this figure) increasing by £1,031.

  3. Note 8 - The income from generating funds (concerts etc) was £2,784 (last year nothing, but compare it with the year before when it was £25K).

  4. Library income was £2014, compared to £277 last year, and that is significantly more than £1340 the previous year..

  5. Page 4: Resources expended on ordinary activities increased from £26,573 to £49,641, with fundraising and trading costs increasing from £15k to £41.6k.

  6. Page 9: Governance costs have fallen in the year, as we did not have the one-off consultancy fees of £4,750 from the previous year. Other significant changes were that we paid nothing in printing, postage etc, and had a one-off cost of £500 for website redesign. The other items within Governance remained similar to the previous year.

  7. Page 7: Our funds show a deficit over the year of £10,119, compared to a surplus of £9.2k the previous year. (Which was exceptional mainly because we had no venue costs for zoom rehearsals).

  8. Page 6: Assets. The balance sheet shows a small increase in the value of the music library, the acquisition of the McCrorie collection being almost offset by the wear and tear allowance. However the library is now significantly larger.

  9. Page 7: Debtors have increased slightly, it varies from year to year. Creditors have also increased slightly. Cash at bank fell from £54.8k to £44.4k. This leaves the Chorus with net assets at the year end of £55,583, down from £65,702 the previous year.

  10. Page 7: A few years ago, we started to make a provision in the accounts for the re-auditions each year, rather than it being a hit every 3 years. This figure is in section 4 page 7 (this also includes the Winchester pre-payment/deposits paid). It was decided not to add to that figure this year as we have missed 1 or possibly 2 years of re-auditions and adding to it would have increased this provision beyond its intended purpose.

The Chorus subscriptions have been increased to £170, effective from September 2022. These are to cover the rehearsals costs. The main reason for the increase is the expected increase in rent at St Chads and St Columbas, as fuel costs have risen significantly.

This new singing year will continue to be a challenge financially. We hope that audiences will return to pre-pandemic levels. We still lack Sponsors and have only 8 Patrons.

We have budgeted for a deficit of £1000 for concerts at St Edmund’s in Leeds, and for a deficit of £4,000 for concerts in York

During the year we were made aware of the availability of the McCrorie collection of scores and we purchased it for £2000 due to a very generous donation of £3000 (plus Gift Aid) by a choir member.

The remaining money will be used in the next Financial year to purchase 100 new copies of Belshazzar’s Feast for the Library.

Finally, at last year’s AGM Jonathan Lacey announced that he would not be standing for election as Treasurer. As nobody else stood for election he continued to perform the role. In the New Year I was asked if I would be willing to take over, and after some thought I said I would perform the bookkeeping parts of the role, but would not serve in an elected role as a Trustee. So Jonathan handed over the Treasurer’s work to me in March 2022. Since then I have been known as Treasurer (although I should probably be called Deputy Treasurer) and Andrew Smith has taken on the role of Treasurer within the Trustees. I am happy to continue with this arrangement.

Richard Thomson (Treasurer)

Marketing Group Report

Our primary roles and objectives are:

What we did last year

Communicating and engaging with Chorus members

Website

Social media

Flyers and Programmes

Other - Publicising and promoting concerts/Attracting new members

Providing marketing assistance to other Chorus groups

We also have a stand-alone ticketing team which is supported by Avril Brown but needs someone to lead. The role of this team is to organise the tickets for own-promotion concerts, for example producing ticket maps on TryBooking and organising the sale of tickets on the door at the concert.

Members of the marketing team are Mary Magorrian, Emma Bates, Richard Wilcocks, Nicky Rowbottom, Mac Burnell, Sally Brown and Elizabeth Wells.

Changes to the team

This year Francis Watson stepped down from the team. He was a long standing supporter of the chorus who set up the previous Chorus website and was heavily involved in the development of the new website, as well as the email system and so on. We are heavily indebted to Francis for the fantastic work he has done over the years and the dedication he has shown to the Chorus.

We have been lucky to have Irene Hall join us as an allied member of the team, focusing on the technical side of the website and emails.

Sally Brown has joined us with skills in creative writing and audience development.

After a period of two years without a Marketing Chair, we are happy to welcome Elizabeth Wells who has very recently joined us as Chair.

Goals

As we have only just gained a Chair we are still developing our goals but some areas of focus will likely be:

How can you help?

We are always appreciative of the support of members, whether in a formal or informal role. Most of the Marketing group are in full time employment so more hands are always helpful to allow us to develop more initiatives as well as our existing day to day work. You can help us by:

Sharing physical flyers or social media posts

We know from the recent Chorus-wide appeal for volunteers that some members would like more specific details about potential roles. Here are some ideas for specific roles:

Taking photos at rehearsals and events so we have recent good quality images to use on the website/social media/flyers/online listings and so on. Also volunteering family members or acquaintances who could do this!

Leading the introduction of the members area of the website - getting members set up, adding a base of useful information to the website and thinking about how to keep information up to date (technical support provided)

Proof checking programmes and flyers including dates, names of pieces, names of professionals

Contributing news items, for example do you have some interesting thoughts on a piece of music we’re doing, or would like to share your experience of a chorus event like the weekend away

Helping to drive forward social media, establishing a schedule of posts etc. as well as our more ad hoc postings

Organising location-specific flyer posting/delivery for local concerts

Also as mentioned earlier there is a need for someone to join the ticketing team so that we can set up the Trybooking and sell tickets for our own promotion concerts.

There is also certainly scope for members who have noticed another need or opportunity to join the group and take the lead on that particular area.

If you’d like to know more about joining the Marketing group or about helping out on a more informal basis, please contact marketing@leedsfestivalchorus.co.uk, send a Facebook message to the Leeds Festival Chorus page, or speak to one of our members at rehearsals.

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS – ANNUAL REPORT FROM LIBRARIAN, 2021-22

Scores for our rehearsals and concerts

For the first two of what we thought were post-pandemic concerts in October 2021 ( A Night at the Opera at York Barbican and Mahler 2 in Leeds Town Hall), most of the scores used were ones that we already owned. That was also true of the Roundhay concert in December 2021, with the exception of Simon’s new arrangement of Buxtehude: Das neugeborne Kindelein – but that unfortunately became another concert-that-never-was with a last-minute cancellation because of Covid-19’s late flourish.

For the Winchester Cathedral concert in April 2022 copies of the new work Blackford: Pietà were hired from the publisher. Copies of Fauré: Requiem were also hired for the same concert. We hired copies of Elgar: The Music Makers and Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast for our last two concerts of the 2021-22 season (York Barbican in May and Sheffield City Hall in June).

On the “mechanics” of issuing scores to members, I now try to have two “issue stations” when there are lots of scores to issue at one time. I also bundle collections of short scores together so that fewer signatures from members are required. I am always ready to receive suggestions about how the library service can be improved for members.

Hiring out scores

I reported a year ago that sets of scores started to be hired out to other choirs again in August 2021 after the worst of the pandemic. 26 sets of scores were hired out nation-wide in the year to July 2022. That is the highest number since hiring out LFC scores came to me in 2016. My favourite composers for this year in order of hire-out value are (1) Britten, (2) Handel, (3) Vaughan Williams.

Thanks

My thanks – and I am sure the whole chorus joins me in this – are due to a member of the chorus for a substantial and very generous financial donation made during the year to achieve two great benefits. The first benefit has been the purchase of the Ian McCrorie Collection of about 2,300 music scores in 51 sets. Ian McCrorie was a leading choral music specialist in Scotland who died in 2019. These scores are a great addition to our stock. The second benefit from the donation has been the purchase of a set of Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast scores . Leeds Festival Chorus is particularly associated with this work through having given its first performance in 1931, and the donation has helped fill a very obvious gap in our stock.

I am grateful to the Music Department of Ampleforth College (very helpfully through Simon) for providing hire copies at no charge.

I am grateful for the help I have received from Lloyd Davies on various occasions during the year, especially at times when large numbers of scores have been on the move. My thanks are due to three “muscle-men” – Lloyd again, plus Chris Foren and David Hall – who recently helped me move the library store from one unit to another at Croydon House, Holbeck. Croydon House is a

warehouse block owned by Leeds City Council, and the move was required by the Council to achieve some rationalisation of the use of the space it occupies itself.

Finally, I thank all the many members who sign the sign-up sheets legibly, on the correct line, and return their scores promptly. The latter is particularly important when I have to return hired scores within tight deadlines. Do please continue.

Mike Croft Librarian

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS - Choir Co-ordinator Report 2021 - 2022

The start of the season brought a return to live rehearsals but for some in the choir there was still unease about what risks this might entail. To help members take part remotely we were able to set up ‘live streaming’ so that if for whatever reason you were not at choir you could still take part. Whilst obviously not the same as being in the church it was useful to many and our thanks to Andrew Smith for setting up.

Choir Membership

Whilst starting last season with 125 members as of the beginning of this season we have 110 members. Again as last year we have lost a significant number of members. Several of those who did not return to live rehearsals have found other responsibilities and interests or have decided that this is the time to retire from LFC and others moved house and jobs.

Sopranos Altos Tenor Bass Rebecca Clark Barbara Brickles Chris Baker Stuart Archbold Pippa Lodge Rosemary Ellis David Hough Rikki Biedka Julia Morgan Sue Pemsel Chris Short Stewart Reid Katie Taylor Eleri Pound Lindsay Robertshaw Sue Whiteley Gill Riley Patricia Swann Emma Whisker

All of those above have been valued members of the choir. Some however have gone the extra mile in supporting the choir. We particularly thank Barbara Brickles, a past committee member and member of the EFC, Pippa Lodge for handling ticket sales, Becky Clark for being on the committee and a past Librarian. Both Gill Riley and Chris Short have been long standing members of FRASC with Chris as the treasurer. Gill was also, until her move south, a member of the committee. We wish them all well and particularly hope that they will maintain their association with the choir through the ‘Friends of LFC’. Although Stuart is no longer a singing member he continues to support the choir by being a non-singing member.

RECRUITMENT

Again this has been a year when we did not have an open evening but two people who came to our on-line rehearsals have joined and we had three more people auditioning two of whom were successful. We welcome Carol Molloy (S2), Julie Tomkins (A1), Heather Newton (A2) and Anthony Picton (B2). As I write this after a two year absence the Open Evening is once more taking place on September 28[th] and we will hope for a good attendance.

TRIENNIAL AUDITIONS

These took place, for the majority of members, at the end of June/beginning of July. They took the form of simple voice assessments with the opportunity to discuss with Simon

any issues arising from lack of singing practice or having had Covid. Inevitably Covid struck during this time and some members have had to come in September. The process all went very well and Simon reports that he was pleased with what he heard. He was also clear that members appreciated the opportunity of talking to him directly and also the ability to discuss any technical issues with Rebecca. Thanks are due to all who helped with the stewarding.

CONCERTS

October 2021 York 60% 70/117 October 2021 Leeds 69% 81/117 March 2022 Leeds 73% 85/116 April 2022 Winchester 54% 63/116 May 2022 York 70% 81/115 June 2022 Sheffield 54% 62/115*

*This was a Friday concert.

**Originally 85 signed up for this concert but Covid outbreaks in several sections of the choir reduced numbers considerably.

Looking at the percentages of concert participation pre-Covid they are very little different to those given above. The Sheffield and Winchester were the exceptions but in each case there were particular circumstances affecting these which are indicated above.

VENUES

St Chad’s and St Columba’s have as previously been our usual venues and we appreciate the use of these places.

AND FINALLY

I will finish by saying that we are really lucky to have such excellent professionals in Simon and Rebecca. These are still difficult times but with Simon’s encouragement and Rebecca’s voice training I hope we will emerge stronger and more confident singers. Thank you to them and to all of you.

Fiona Kirkby - LFC Choir Co-ordinator

Friends of Leeds Festival Chorus

Report 1[st] October 2021 to 30[th] September 2022

The ‘Friends of Leeds Festival Chorus’ has been a long-established group mainly consisting of ex-members and friends/relatives of present or former members. Prior to Covid and the closure of Leeds Town Hall, they were invited to the Chairman’s bar before concerts where they received a programme and complimentary drinks and again in the interval. They were also invited attend rehearsals. During our Zoomed rehearsals of the lockdown period, some Friends joined us on screen.

When I became Friends’ Coordinator in March 2020 there were 87 Friends on the books. In autumn 2020 this had reduced to 64.

At that time, in addition to our Honorary and Complimentary Friends, we had two categories of paying Friends: Full (those living close to Leeds able to regularly attend concerts); Country (those living a distance from Leeds).

In 2021 these categories were changed to Level One Friends (those who wished to keep in touch and support the chorus but were unable to attend concerts) and Level 2 Friends (those who could attend concerts).

In October 2021 18 people became Level 1 Friends and 25 became Level 2 Friends. We also have two Honorary Friends and four Complimentary Friends (recent retirees from the chorus), making a total of 49. The only new recruits over the last year have been the four exmembers. Only two Friends told me they did not wish to renew, and I have had no contact with the other thirteen despite my efforts.

I have had little opportunity to meet Friends at concerts. All Friends receive a quarterly newsletter from me, including details of upcoming concerts, but I suspect many are reluctant to travel to York and it is difficult for us to provide the usual benefits to those that do. Neither is there a space in St Edmund’s for us to host Friends and Patrons. Until we return to singing in the Town Hall it is likely the numbers of Friends will continue to shrink.

As well as subscriptions from Friends, many also made a donation to LFC funds. With subs and donations we received approximately £1300 from them in the last year. This is obviously of value to the chorus and has been one of our few extra sources of income over the year.

While the financial benefits are small, the Friends are important to us in ‘normal’ times, for their presence at our concerts. I will continue to keep in touch with them and we should plan a recruitment drive for 2024.

The role of Friends’ Coordinator is not onerous. It involves keeping the Data base up to date, producing newsletters and asking for subscriptions annually. It is also an opportunity to meet former members of the chorus, but as mentioned above, this has not been possible during the last two years.

I am happy to speak to any of you who would like to assist me or even take over this role.

John Apps

Friends’ Coordinator.

23/9/2022

Concert Organisers’ Report

In the Autumn of 2021, we at last started to sing together after a two year gap caused by the pandemic. In October 2021, we joined with the York Guildhall Orchestra to mount a concert at the Barbican York of popular opera pieces. This was much enjoyed by an audience which was disappointingly small. Fears of Covid still limited the numbers of those prepared to attend public events and, indeed, Covid caused the cancellation of our Christmas concert at St. Edmund’s Church, Roundhay, in December.

However, we did mount a concert at St. Edmund’s in March, 2022 with the theme of ‘Crowning Glory’. It was bookmarked by two of Handel’s Coronation Anthems and included a number of other pieces associated with coronations. We were fortunate to have Beth Moxon’s lovely mezzo voice singing Mendelssohn’s Drei Geistliches Lied with us as well as solo pieces by Wagner and Mahler.

In May, we joined the York Guildhall Orchestra again to sing Elgar’s The Music Makers and in June we were invited by the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus to sing Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast in the Sheffield City Hall, with the Hallé Orchestra.

We are sorry that Katie Turner has had to step down from the Concert Organisers’ team but are grateful to Sîan Moxon who has tentatively agreed to replace her. Plans for the 2022-23 season are in place but not beyond that, though the Programme Suggestions Group met in September 2022 to list its preferences for the following three seasons. These are subject to negotiation either with LICS or with the YGO. Peter Coltman will not be standing for reelection in the coming year and Rebecca Lacey has also said that she will be leaving the team at the end of the coming season.

Peter Coltman Lloyd Davies Rebecca Lacey Sîan Moxon Katie Turner

FUND RAISING AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE (FRASC) REPORT October 2022

The clue is in the title. FRASC’s role is not only to organise events to ensure that the chorus is a sociable as well as a musical organisation, but also to complement the External Fundraising Committee by raising money through harnessing the chorus’s many talents. Wherever possible, we try and satisfy both our remits by making fundraising a fun activity involving chorus members, and their families and friends.

With social distancing in place in one form or another and then a busy season of concerts, FRASC has not really had an opportunity to get going this year. Nonetheless, we have been able to donate £1,200 to the chorus as a result of some successful fundraising activities and ad-hoc donations.

In the absence of the traditional Christmas Bring and Buy sale, Fiona Kirkby organised an online Christmas shop to ensure that her regular Christmas pudding and mincemeat customers would not be disappointed (they weren’t!). We also managed to squeeze in some end of term Christmas carols with wine and mince pies, which together with Fiona’s goodies raised over £350.

Chris Short’s excellent quizzes, plus second-hand book and choir music sales raised a further £240, while the weekly raffle , recently restarted by Margaret Whaley, has already raised over £200.

FRASC also runs the bar at St Edmund’s concerts with the help of our regular group of bar staff friends.

Unfortunately, the St Chad’s monthly wine evenings and weekly tuck shop both had to be temporarily mothballed during the social distancing years, but we would love to restart one or both of these if volunteers can be found.

Normal service is resuming now, and we plan to hold a Christmas Bring and Buy sale after rehearsal on Wednesday 30[th] November . It would be fantastic if this could match up to previous years where we have managed to raise over £1000 for the chorus in little more than an hour! So, if you can make, bake or bottle some Christmas goodies, and then bring friends and family along to the sale itself, it would be brilliant.

Our excellent long-standing (and long-suffering!) treasurer, Chris Short, retired from the chorus in the Summer and although he is still managing our finances, he would really appreciate someone taking over the reins. We would also be incredibly grateful if someone would be prepared to take on Chris’s book and music sales department.

Alternatively, why not just join FRASC to bring fresh ideas for fundraising and social events? If you are interested, just talk to Harriet or any of the FRASC team: Fiona Kirkby (executive chef), Liz Whitaker, Margaret Whaley, Heather Newton and Sian Lomax.

Harriet Carlyle

FRASC Chair