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Leeds Festival Chorus Annual Report 2023/24 Season

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LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2024

	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 2024

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: Elizabeth Palmer Acting chair John Apps (resigned May 2024) Chairman/Treasurer James Moxon Concerts Organiser Fiona Kirkby Choir Coordinator Other trustees in the year were as follows: Emma Elgie Chris Foren Margaret Mara Judith Scott

The following were appointed as trustees after the year end but before the date of this report: Will Clarke, Caroline Hedges and Ruth Swanwick.

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 a three yearly 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 J M Apps Foxhill Cottage Weetwood Lane Leeds LS16 5PJ

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 FEsfivAL CHORUS Tru8Éees' Report for Ibt Yer emded 31 Juty 21124 (Clt) Objects The objects of thc cbarity are to advance. imw)v< develop maintain pvbtic ducati( i and apprectation of, the art and science of Music in all its aspects bv any means th¢ tniste¢s sce fiL including through the presentation of public events. Review of Aelivitiel A¢hiev¢me•ts The charity achieved its aims in ihe peri under review by continuing to pr(xnote and deliver chor21 concerts. The elosure of LEeds Town Hall for refuTbishrnenl cTh]tinued to have a significant effect on coThc¢rt income. It was noliceable that audience sizes were larger th last year as peopl¢ re less reluctsnt to com¢ to public ¢%cnts. We hal'e perfornied concerts aT]d I vther event with improved audience sizes. Reserves Polky The Lharity's on reserves is to ensure that SUIT1¢t unrestricd net curr¢rt &8%4s (liquid reserves) are maintsined to enalAe the charity to continuc for ai least the next twelve months tn the event Ihai thcrc is an unprcdicted significani drop in income levels. The Trust¢¢s consider thal thc CUCE kvel of liquid reserves (£48,686) is slightly less than 12 months worth of unrestricted ordinary cxrKnditur¢ (£49.439). but roughly qual to the expected exp¢nditurc of £46.000 to £S0.000 in 2024r25. Accordingly the Trnste¢s will conlinue to mltOr the situation. Risk maxagement The Trusttts" ¢Mmine the rnajor risks that the charity facts cach fanCIal year whe considering their plans and annual budgcts. Thc charity has controls in place lo control the5C risL% and mitigat¢ any impact th¢y may have on thc charity's future. Publie BcDefit Thc Tru51ees confirni that they have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of thc 2011 Charitie5 Act to have due regard to guidance published by th¢ Charity Commission rclating to public b¢n¢fiL Finaneial Review The reserves of the charity are tA)th restricted and unre.stricled in nature. As noted in thc Reserve5 tx)licy aboi'e. the Tnjsiees are of the opinion that the levels of r¢SV£S may IK aikquai¢ in ¢xccpti(mal circum51ancc5 iv mccl fulure cxpetmliture and lo fulfil the chaTity'5 ongoing aim5 and objcctivc& There is a Surp]$ on Ordin activities for the year of £8,018 {?023 - £12,S54) which has heen xdded to TrveS. The total reserves at the year end amount to £76.455 (2023 - £68.43D of which £10.060 (2023 - £6,079) are restri¢t¥d. On beh8lf of the Truste¢s Elizabeth Palmer, Acting Chair 15 (ktober 2024 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 2024 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:

Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities 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 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:

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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

15 October 2024

Page 3

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year ended 31 July 2024

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 incoming/(outgoing) resources on ordinary activities for the year Exceptional item Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year Total charity funds brought forward Total charity funds carried forward	Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Total Funds 2024 2023 £ £ 39,166 5,000 44,166 41,692 10,366 - 10,366 9,310 1,822 - 1,822 537 2,122 - 2,122 2,202
	53,476 5,000 58,476 53,741
	492 - 492 266 42,135 - 42,135 34,017 1,306 168 1,474 1,100 5,506 851 6,357 5,504
	49,439 1,019 50,458 40,887
	4,037 3,981 8,018 12,854 - - - -
	4,037 3,981 8,018 12,854 62,358 6,079 68,437 55,583
	66,395 10,060 76,455 68,437

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

Page 4

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2024

£ 318 64,414	2024 £ 17,709 58,746	2023 £ £ 19,677 264 68,011 68,275 19,515 48,760 68,437 6,079 - 6,079 49,504 12,854 62,358 68,437	2023 £ £ 19,677 264 68,011 68,275 19,515 48,760 68,437 6,079 - 6,079 49,504 12,854 62,358 68,437
64,732 5,986		68,275 19,515
62,358 4,037		49,504 12,854
	76,455		68,437
	6,079 3,981		6,079 -
	10,060 66,395 76,455		6,079 62,358 68,437

Approved by the Trustees

………………………………………………. Elizabeth Palmer, Acting Chair

For and on behalf of the Trustees

15 October 2024

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 2024

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 2023 Additions in the year Wear and tear provision (10%) At 31 July 2024	Music Library £ 19,677 - (1,968)
	17,709

Page 6

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2024 (cont)

3. Other debtors

Prepayments 4. Creditors Accrued expenses 5. Funds Unrestricted Funds Music Library General Fund Restricted Funds Chorus Master Scholarship Monies Music to my Ears Future Developments Fund TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 6. Voluntary Income Members’ subscriptions Friends’ subscriptions Tax refund on covenanted subscriptions Fundraising and social group Grants, donations and sponsorship Legacies	2023 £ 19,677 42,681 62,358 1,471 4,608 - 6,079 68,437 Note 7 7	2024 £ 318 318 2024 £ 5,986 Movement £ (1,968) 6,005 4,037 (168) - 4,149 3,981 8,018 2024 £ 21,903 1,034 6,410 4,354 8,771 1,694 44,166	2023 £ 264
			264
			2023 £ 19,515
			2024 £ 17,709 48,686
			66,395
			1,303 4,608 4,149
			10,060
			76,455
			2023 £ 21,049 1,256 6,135 5,676 7,076 500
			41,692

Page 7

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

Notes to the Accounts

for the Year ended 31 July 2024 (cont)

7. Grants, donations, sponsorship, patrons and legacies

Miscellaneous donations Carol Sponsorship Ticket Donations Anonymous donation re Future Development Fund J Apps Olav Arnold Charitable Trust M Beer B Brickles D Brickles in memory of B Brickles J Hartigan in memory of T Hartigan N Jones L Davies I Hall J Moxon A Smith E Walker Maurice Wilson in memory of Muriel Wilson Rev M Winbolt-Lewis S Winbolt-Lewis S Wright Legacies J Usher 8. Activities for generating funds Concerts and recitals 9. Investment income Bank interest received 10. Incoming resources from charitable activities Library income	2024 £ 600 630 909 5,000 150 1,000 300 - - - - 92 30 - - 60 - - - - 8,771 1,694 10,465 2024 £ 10,366 2024 £ 1,822 2024 £ 2,122	2023 £ 488 1,290 664 - 150 1,000 300 50 500 500 300 - - 267 130 60 1,000 300 50 27
		7,076 - 6,857 2023 £ 9,310
		2023 £ 537
		2023 £ 2,202

Page 8

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2024 (cont)

11 . Costs of generating voluntary income

Publicity programmes, brochures and advertising 12. Fundraising & trading costs Hire of music Concert costs Rehearsal costs 13. Charitable activities Donations 14. Governance costs Subscriptions and insurance Accountancy and Independent Examiner’s fee Friends’ and patrons’ expenses Sundry expenses Away day for Future Developments Website costs and design Zoom costs Library expenses Music storage Music wear and tear allowance Bank charges	2024 £ 492 2024 £ 997 17,378 23,760 42,135 2024 £ 1,474 2024 £ 788 1,440 - 462 851 - - 684 - 1,968 164 6,357	2023 £ 266
		2023 £ 1,039 10,632 22,632
		34,017
		2023 £ 1,100
		2023 £ 629 1,450 43 300 - 15 144 673 - 2,186 64 5,504

15. Trustees Remuneration

No Trustees or any persons connected with them have received remuneration (2023 – nil).

16. Trustees Expenses

Three Trustees (2023 – one) have been reimbursed out of pocket expenses totalling £916 (2023 - £266).

Page 9

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2024 (cont)

17. Staff Costs and Emoluments

There were no employees with emoluments in the year (2023 – nil).

18 . Cost of Independent Examination

Preparation of accounts and associated costs were £1,450 (2023 - £1,410).

Page 10

Publicity and Marketing Report 2023-2024

Elizabeth Palmer, Chair of Marketing Group September 2024

Members of the marketing team are: Andrew Smith, Christine Hamill, Emma Elgie, Elizabeth Palmer, Mac Burnell, Mary Magorrian, Richard Wilcocks, and Sally Brown. We are supported by Irene Hall who focuses on the technical side of the website and emails.

Our primary roles and objectives are:

Publicising and promoting concerts and other events
Increasing the public profile of the Chorus
Communicating and engaging with Chorus members
Attracting new members

What we did in 2023-2024

Publicising and promoting concerts and other events

Around 450 tickets sold for concerts at St Edmund’s Roundhay (figures rounded to nearest 10, excluding Patrons, comps, and donated tickets).
Brahms - 100
Christmas - 160
Rossini - 190
Used social media (Facebook and Instagram) to publicise events.
Updating the website to ensure that it remains current and has information on our concerts.
Produced physical promotional material and distributed across Leeds: annual brochure and flyers for our own concerts.
Emails to our external mailing list and continued to grow this by asking audience members to sign up when they buy a ticket.

Increasing the public profile of the Chorus

Building relationships and reciprocal marketing with other musical organisations in Leeds – notably reviving contact with Opera North and Leeds International Concert Series.

Communicating and engaging with Chorus members

Weekly emails to Chorus members with news and updates.
Supported with an updated members area to improve the one introduced in 2022 (aiming to launch in October 2024). More detail below.

Attracting new members:

Developed a recruitment presentation that is displayed at concerts.
Review of the ‘Join Us’ page – updated copy to make it more friendly.

Other:

Started gathering data on how audience members heard about our concerts – chorus members and word of mouth are currently the largest.
Took on the production of the quarterly newsletters for Friends of LFC.
Administration of ticket sales through TryBooking.

- Updated Members Area Making Music Platform

We have been working on an updated version of the Members Area to our website using Making Music’s Platform service. This will have more features than our current one, and combines several or our current administration areas into one place. Some examples of the features are:

Events calendar integrated into the website, with the ability to share your availability for concerts and other events. We’ll be able to update this if things change, and add information as it becomes available (e.g. dress codes for concerts, or travel arrangements).
A place for documents and notices.
Finances - we will be able to take payments for subscriptions through the website.
Updated member database, making the administration of chorus members’ details easier. You’ll be able to update your own contact information through the website.

We hope to start using this later this term and will provide more information soon. Thank you to Irene for her hard work on this over the past few months.

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone in the marketing team for their hard work, creative ideas and the time they’ve given up over this year to make this happen. Also, thank you to everyone in the Chorus who have sold tickets, encouraged people to come, and shared information about our events. If you have any ideas or suggestions about our publicity and marketing, please get in touch with a member of the team or email marketing@leedsfestivalchorus.co.uk.

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS – ANNUAL REPORT FROM LIBRARIAN, 2023-24

Scores for LFC rehearsals and concerts

About 3,700 scores were issued for our rehearsals and performances during the year ended July 2024. About 1,100 of these were hired copies, the remainder being owned by the Chorus. Our own scores included two arrangements by Simon Wright – The Virgin Mary and The Carol Singers – added with thanks to our stock during the year. The number of non-returns was 14 (0.4% of 3,700). Where possible the cost to the Chorus of these non-returns has been recovered.

Leeds Music Library was again by far the major provider of hire copies. Other hires during the year were from Ampleforth College (again at no charge through Simon’s good offices, so with grateful thanks), Bedford Choral Society, Epsom Choral Society, Preston Cecilian Choral Society, and the Wooburn Singers.

Thanks are also due to Peter Bloodworth, Will Clarke and Lloyd Davies who have helped at busy times during the year, or when I have not been available, in issuing, moving and/or sorting scores.

Hiring out scores to other choirs

From December 2023, this part of the Librarian’s job has been carried out by Will Clarke. Many thanks are due to him for volunteering and for carrying out this task. It is a task which is very much unseen by members, amounting to half the Librarian’s job. It continues to bring in extremely useful income to the Chorus.

32 sets of scores, involving a total of about 1,300 individual scores from our stock of 30,000 or more, were hired out to various choirs nation-wide in the 12 months to July 2024. As last year, on the rare occasions when full sets have not been returned, full recompense or replacement copies have been provided by the hirer. My favourite composers for this year in order of hire-out value are (1) Handel, (2) Poulenc, (3) Rossini.

Clean-up project

In September 2023, I initiated a project to erase the pencil markings that numerous scores in our stock have accumulated over the years. Some 1,100 of the most used scores have had this welcome treatment up to July 2024. The contributions of Peter Bloodworth and Avril Brown, whose labours between them accounted for over half of the 1,100, are particularly appreciated. But every single contribution is welcomed, small or large. The task continues in the 2024-25 season, and further volunteers will be very welcome (usually without deadlines!).

Further thanks

As ever, I am grateful to the many members who sign the sign-up sheets legibly, on the correct line, and return scores promptly. The latter is particularly important when I have to return hired scores within deadlines which are often tight in order to minimise costs. Do please continue.

Mike Croft Librarian

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS - Choir Co-ordinator Report 2023 - 2024

An innova(on this year is that we have put in place voice sec(on representa(ves in the four main parts of the choir. They are at present Michèle Jackson – soprano, Judy Farnill – alto, Peter Coltman – tenor, David Hall – bass. They should be the first port of call for any queries you have about rehearsals and concerts and importantly are the first contact point for newly audi(oned members. They are also happy to receive feedback from members to pass on to the trustees.

CHOIR MEMBERSHIP

We started this new season with 109 members. Over the course of this past year the following have leM the choir.

Sopranos Altos Tenor Bass Harriet Chauhan Catherine Dickinson Steve Clarke Stuart Archbold Shona EmmeQ Tim Swanwick Lloyd Davies Emma Mitchell Steve Maxwell

Nicki Spencer

Helen Whale

Whether they have been with us two or twenty years they have all made a contribu(on to the choir. In par(cular Steve Maxwell has served as Treasurer, Lloyd Davies has regularly helped Mike CroM with the library, and Stuart Archbold has worked hard and effec(vely with raising sponsorship for the choir as well as being a generous benefactor himself. We thank them for their contribu(on to our musical ac(vi(es and wish them all the best. I hope that we shall see those s(ll living locally, at future concerts.

RECRUITMENT

Our open evening last season was on September 27[th] . It very much benefiQed from the Come and Sing Fauré Requiem held earlier in the month which boosted the numbers of people coming to try us out. This year most new members were recruited either as a result of the open evening or at the start of 2024 – the Christmas concert at St Edmund’s also bringing some singers in. Over the year we have had approaches from 19 poten(al members and all 13 that came forward for audi(on were successful. Not all have been able to stay with us but those who have are named below.

SOPRANO ALTO TENOR BASS Monta Drozdova Judy Farnill Mar(n KeQlewell Sam Boobier Helen KeQlewell Deirdre Thackray Will Clarke Amber Stamford David Hargreaves

TRIENNIAL AUDITIONS

These took place in July of this year. Thank you to everyone who came. There were a few members who had to come in September but they have all now completed their audi(ons leaving only a couple whose health issues preclude them from audi(oning at the moment. Thank you to everyone who helped make the audi(ons run smoothly par(cularly members who acted as stewards and whose who provided half-(me catering!

CONCERTS

October 2023 Leeds 69% 79/114 November 2023 Glasgow 67% 76/114 December 2032 Leeds 78% 89/114 February 2023 York 68% 78/114 May 2023 Leeds 80% 92/115 May/June 2023 Spain 47% 53/112

Concert par(cipa(on has been very variable with the highest number being for the very well received Rossini concert in May. Perhaps understandably concerts away from Leeds show lesser par(cipa(on.

REHEARSALS and VENUES

St Chad’s and St Columba’s have, as previously, been our usual venues and we appreciate the use of these places. We have had 42 rehearsals this year in these two venues and in the main they have been well aQended. We do encourage members to come to rehearsals for all concerts even those that they are not able to sing as it is good to learn the repertoire and keep voices in trim.

AND FINALLY

the help, concern and support given to me. It is a testament to the sort of organisa(on we are. Thank you to you all but in par(cular Andrew Smith for taking on du(es at the church and Siân Moxon who has undertaken extra du(es at concerts and rehearsals when I have been absent.

and professionalism. It is much appreciated.

Fiona Kirkby - LFC Choir Co-ordinator

Friends of Leeds Festival Chorus

Report 1st October 2023 to 30th September 2024

This is the last report I will be writing as Friends Coordinator as I am relinquishing the post after the 2024 AGM.

I took on the role in March 2020 after the untimely death of Rowena Macdonald. At that time, we had around 65 Friends on the books although I am not sure how many were active. In October 2023 there were still 55 listed but only 35 actually paid a subscription. Many of these also made an extra contribution for which we are most grateful. In all we received around £1100 in contributions from Friends in the 2023-24 season. The Friends also form our largest group of supporters, and many do attend our concerts.

Why have numbers fallen? This has been a trend for some time. In 2016 the Coordinator then, Geoff Smith, noted we had 100 Friends. In 2019, we had around 65. I’m sure Covid Lockdown and closure of the Town Hall have contributed to this further decline.

Since I became Coordinator, I have not had the opportunity to meet Friends regularly at concerts. Our concert in March 2020, Elijah, was cancelled at short notice and apart from the Mahler concert in October 2021 we have not sung in the Town Hall. Thus, most of the benefits of being a Friend of LFC have disappeared. Attempts at setting up a separate ‘Chairman’s Bar’ in St Edmund’s or the York Barbican have not succeeded because of lack of appropriate space; there are no complimentary drinks or programmes; there are no benefits for ticket purchase. It is not surprising therefore that numbers have fallen and fewer ex members are becoming Friends. The same applies to Patrons, who’s numbers have also fallen. I hope my successor can reverse this trend in the near future when we return to the Town Hall.

It may also be that Friends and Patrons are no longer attracted by what we offer. Some have expressed their dislike of the present venues, some of the programming. We should consider surveying them to ask what they would like from us.

The Friends continue to receive a quarterly newsletter giving information about concerts and LFC events. I am most grateful to Sally Brown and other members of the Marketing team for taking over production of the

Newsletter recently. A big improvement on my efforts. Recently the letter has contained a reflection on membership of the Chorus from a distinguished longstanding member. Others are to follow and I hope you can access these on the Chorus website.

I wish my successor best wishes in the role of Coordinator and I will be happy to assist in the handover.

John Apps

Friends’ Coordinator.

friends@leedsfestivalchorus.co.uk

Concert Organiser’s Report 2023-24

We began the year at St.Edmund’s in October singing the Brahms Requiem (with 2 pianists) and the Liebeslieder Waltzes. The music was beautiful but sadly audience numbers were down, hampered partly by the stormy weather (storm Babet) and a clash with the Rugby World Cup semi-final.

In November we travelled to Glasgow for a successful collaboration with the City of Glasgow Chorus and the Scottish Opera Orchestra singing the Verdi Requiem to great acclaim in the magnificent Glasgow Royal Concert Hall under the baton of Paul Keohone.

This was followed by another well attended Christmas Concert at St.Edmund’s where we were joined again by Naomi Simon as soloist and also by The Leeds Youth Singers.

In February we returned to the Barbican in York for another collaboration with the York Guildhall Orchestra, conducted by Simon, where we sang Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens and Mendelssohn’s Die Erste Valpurgisnacht in a programme also including Elgar’s Enigma Variations. This was also the first time we had sung in a concert there on a Sunday afternoon. Audience numbers were reasonable though a little lower than hoped for.

On May 11[th] we returned to St.Edmund’s and had an excellent audience for our Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle with piano (Rebecca Taylor) and accordion (Ben De Souza) and four fabulous soloists. Feedback following the concert was exceptionally good, even the soloists unanimously commenting on how good the chorus had sounded. In part this may have been due to the longer run up to this concert which allowed Simon to spend more time on the detail and left many members commenting on how well prepared they felt which seems to have been reflected well in our performance. A good lesson to take forward.

Tour to Spain

At the end of May those who could set off to Northern Spain for a very successful and enjoyable Tour to Burgos, Salamanca and Valladolid. The venues were all spectacular and well supported by appreciative local audiences. With a trip to Avila, a selection of walking tours and a visit to a winery among the other attractions there was much to appreciate. Special thanks to Harriet Carlyle for her persistence and forbearance over several years in making this happen, to Emma Hammond for bravely and expertly introducing our concerts in fluent Spanish and to Simon and Rebecca for preparing, guiding and playing for us with their usual exemplary professionalism.

2024-5 Season

On 7[th] September we hosted a Come and Sing ‘ Choruses from Mendelssohn’s Elijah’ event at Leeds Art Gallery. More than 50 guest singers joined approximately 45 LFC members to (re)learn and sing, under Simon’s patient and skilful tutelage, a selection of choruses from this epic work in the famous ‘Tiled Hall’ Café as part of the Leeds Heritage Open Days. Many thanks to Margaret Mara for arranging and organising what was a challenging event, particularly due to a late change in venue, and for everyone who helped on the day.

On 12[th] October we travel to Beverley Minster for a ‘Choral Soirée’ featuring the Duruflé Requiem, Gregorien Motets and Notre Père, Poulenc’s Penitential Motets and Messiaen’s O sacrum convivium.

On 14[th] December we return to St.Edmund’s for another Christmas Concert with Simon conducting and this time featuring Bernard Robertson on organ and piano and Sebastian Williman on trumpet. We have invited the Leeds Youth Singers to join us again (not yet confirmed).

On 21[st] December we will be singing a selection of Carols at Fountains Abbey from 2- 3pm.

Due to the ongoing difficulties with finding suitable venues while the Town Hall remains closed, the schedule for 2025 is not yet confirmed. However, we are working on several exciting options and hope to be able to confirm more events in the near future.

Please accept my apologies for the uncertainty around next year’s programme but hopefully it will be worth the wait.

The latest news on the Town Hall is that the contract for works on the Leeds Town Hall refurbishment project is due to finish in January 2026. That is, of course, no guarantee that it will be open for concerts immediately afterwards but it is at least a step in the right direction.

My particular thanks this year go again to Siân M for managing our St.Edmund’s concerts with her usual efficiency and skill and for all the help and guidance she gives me through the year and also to Margaret Mara for continuing her work to provide exciting new opportunities for the chorus.

James Moxon Concert Organiser

FUND RAISING AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE (FRASC) REPORT September 2024

FRASC has taken a bit of a back seat this year in favour of all the organisation required around the summer tour to Spain. Nonetheless, some fundraising activities have taken place throughout the year, thanks to the brilliant FRASC team, and we have donated around £3,400 to the chorus.

We kicked off with the traditional post-rehearsal Christmas Bring and Buy sale . With post-sale purchases inside and outside the chorus, we made over £1,000! Thanks to everyone who baked, bottled and donated lovely Christmas gifts, with special thanks to Fiona Kirkby, who raised around £160 from her Christmas puddings (and homemade mincemeat) alone. Shout outs also for the 2[nd] hand bookshop, sales and bar teams, and those that set up their own stalls. Particular thanks to Irene Hall, who generously donated all the proceeds of her tablet stall to the chorus. This was the first time that I had been away for the Bring and Buy sale for many years, but Siân Lomax ably stepped as chief coordinator on the day. Thank you, Siân!

There will be a repeat performance this year on Wednesday 27[th] November, so please dust down your mixing bowls and jam pans and get your baking and making hats on……….and if you have friends or family that would like a stall, let me know.

Other fundraising and social activities have quietly continued through the year. The FRASC weekly raffle so efficiently managed by Margaret Whaley has raised just over £900, whilst Chris Short’s occasional music sales have also added to the coffers.

In June, Ken and Judith Beaty opened their stunning garden just outside Rawdon to the chorus and their friends and families. A beautiful garden on a beautiful day with a delicious afternoon tea organised by Margaret Mara and June Apps – what a great way to spend a summer’s afternoon! Not only that, but Margaret’s ticket sales raised a fantastic £780 for the chorus.

Wine evenings (pop-up bar) after rehearsals at St Chad’s have continued with some this year at the request of people celebrating milestone birthdays or chorus membership anniversaries. Celebrating these has proved very popular with everyone! Thanks also to Simon for buying a (very large) round at the end of term! It would be great if more people could help us with these pop-up bars, so if you think two or three of you could band together and run a wine evening, please let me or any of FRASC know. It’s very easy and a great way to meet other chorus members.

FRASC and an excellent team of “clapping section” volunteers also run the interval bar at the St Edmund’s concerts , allowing us to raise between £200 and £400 each time.

Finally, to Spain . Although the intention was for the tour to break even, income was greater than expected as more people joined the tour than had been anticipated when the budget was set. The surplus was used to pay Simon and Rebecca’s fees and allowances whilst on tour, which would otherwise have been underwritten by the chorus. So, fundraising of a sort and perhaps making up for not having a big summer fund raiser this year.

Also on the subject of Spain, a huge thank to Emma Hammond (Slater) for her fabulous series of pre-rehearsal Spanish lessons . We all enjoyed them enormously and I for one will never forget how to order a black tea with hot water and cold milk on the side!! Not only that, but Emma raised £400 for chorus funds in the process.

Siân Lomax also contributed to the coffers by organising tour T-shirts and polo shirts , which were enthusiastically taken up by those travelling to Spain. She will be arranging LFC hoodies and sweatshirts this term, so watch out for announcements from Siân!

As I mentioned in last year’s report, FRASC’s focus has been on fundraising rather than social events. This is because active FRASC members are comparatively few in number and partly because we perceive there to be limited interest from the choir in social events outside rehearsals. If this isn’t the case and you have some great ideas for social events (or fundraisers) and would be happy to help us organise them, then please let us know.

In any case, we would love for more people to join the team. Our meetings are usually fun (nothing to do with the chat, drinks and good food, of course!). If you would like to join us, helping to raise funds for the chorus and maybe get back to organising social events, then please have a chat with me or anyone in the brilliant FRASC team: Fiona Kirkby (executive chef), Margaret Whaley (long-suffering treasurer), Siân Lomax, Heather Newton and Julie Tomkins.

Harriet Carlyle

FRASC Chair

2024-07-31-accounts

Leeds Festival Chorus Annual Report 2023/24 Season

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2024

Structure, Governance and Management

Appointment and recruitment of Trustees

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

Basis of independent examiner’s report

Independent examiner’s statement

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year ended 31 July 2024

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2024

1. Accounting Policies

General

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

Incoming Resources

Resources Expended

Grants Payable

Funds Structure Policy

Tangible Assets

2. Tangible Assets

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2024 (cont)

3. Other debtors

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS

Notes to the Accounts

for the Year ended 31 July 2024 (cont)

7. Grants, donations, sponsorship, patrons and legacies

LEEDS FESTIVAL CHORUS Notes to the Accounts for the Year ended 31 July 2024 (cont)

15. Trustees Remuneration

16. Trustees Expenses

17. Staff Costs and Emoluments

18 . Cost of Independent Examination

Publicity and Marketing Report 2023-2024

Our primary roles and objectives are:

What we did in 2023-2024

Publicising and promoting concerts and other events

Increasing the public profile of the Chorus

Communicating and engaging with Chorus members

Attracting new members:

- Updated Members Area Making Music Platform

Scores for LFC rehearsals and concerts

Hiring out scores to other choirs

Clean-up project

Further thanks

CHOIR MEMBERSHIP

Helen Whale

RECRUITMENT

TRIENNIAL AUDITIONS

CONCERTS

REHEARSALS and VENUES

AND FINALLY

Concert Organiser’s Report 2023-24

Tour to Spain

FUND RAISING AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE (FRASC) REPORT September 2024