English Baroque Choir Annual Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Year Ended 31st July 2024 Registered Charity: 800398
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 Contents Page Legal and Administrative DetaiIs Trustees, Report Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities 10 Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 Registered Address 6th FIOOT, Capithl Tower 91 Waterloo Road London SEI 8RT Trustees Ben Ka (Chainnan) Kate Bone Ray Carlsoii Chris Siva-Prakasam Bankers TSB Bank plc 7 Highland Parade Barnet Hertfordshire EN4 ODA Independent Examiner Chaweevan Williams, FCCA Verdant Accountants Limited 20-22 Wenlock Road LondoftL NI 7GU Investment Managers M&G Group M&G House Victoria Road Chelmsford CMI IBF
English Baroque Choir Financi21 Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 TRUSTEES, REPORT The Trustees arc pleased to present their Report together with the financial stateinents for the year ¢nded 31 st July 2024. Trustees The Trustees are members of English Baroque Choir {'Ihe Choir" or 'lhe Charity" or "Ihe Tn]st") with the requisitc ability and time to be involved in the administration of the TrusL Appointments are conferred by the voting membership al ihe Annual General Meeting Principal activity The principal activity of the Charity is the perfom)ance of cla&si¢al chordl music. Objects The Objects of the Charity are for the public benefit and as set out in its Tn1 Deed are to proinote. maintain, improve and advance education of the public in the fields of choral music, church music, opera and other ¢l&ssical works and musical and vo(21 compositions of all kinds. Organisation (i) Membership The Charity is organised as an amateur choir with up to cighty auditioiied mernbe. Resular rehearsals are held to enable the perfornTrance of up to six conccrts per year. (il) Trustees and Committee The Trustees and a Committee administer the Choir. The TneeS and Cnmmittee are elted from the membership by the membersbip at the Annual Genetal Meeting The TnJste&s and Committee consist of utpaid volunteers upon whom the Charity is dependent for its continued existence. Meetings are held at regaT intervals and include consideration of filwicial resources and planning for fvture perfornww. (iii) PatroDs 2nd Sponsors The Charity, like most choirs, perfOrn a repertoire of music that is necessarily dependent on the generosity and support of its Patrons and Sponsors. This is an important source of financial support for the Choir, particularly from sponsorship of specific concerts. Sponsorship income is also sought from Erdnt making bodies and bSinesseS to contribute towards the costs of major CODcerts or commissions of new M41t
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Continued) (iv) Volunteers The choir depends on a small number ofvolunteers, all ofwhom singing member& to organis4 coordinate, and admtnisler its activities, namely rehe2rsing and perfonning public concerts. These volunteers have the following main functions: Chairman, Concert Plamier. TrUrer, Publicity Coordinator, Concert Manager, Tickets. MembershiplRecruitment, and Minutes Secretary. Reserves Policy The reserves policy of the Charity is to retain sufficient resources to provide adequate working capital and risk control for ils progrJmme of orchestral Concerts and musical events. Tlie Committee keeps under review the financial resources required for a provisional concert plan for the next three years. Concert Contingency Fund The Charity faces a small, but significaDt risk of a major shollfall of income on each coiicert it promotes. particularly from its more expensive orchestral concerts. The Charity designated a fund in 2000 10 eamiark5 rcsources in the event of an unexpected call oll funds. due lo an income shortfall or unbudgeled costs caused by a disruptive event (for ins]Ce a transport strike or adverse weather conditions) beyond the conlrol of Ihe Trustees. The fund is reviewed annually and is prinmrily represented by investments io Charifund income units and deposits at TSB Bank ple. General Fund The General Fund Provid for all the working capital needs of the Charity, including deposits for futhre hire of concert venues. The size of this fijnd will necessarily fluctuate ea¢lJ year as concert results and ndraiSing activitie5 are often unpredictsble. The main financial objective is to ensure that sufficient resources are always maintained to meet the budgeted costs of tUre concerts and keep the Concert Contingency Fund fully funded. Financial Tesults The net result for the year was a sutplus of £7.880 (2023: deficit of £5.499). The Charity had nel assets of £36,576 at the year<nd (2023- £28.696}. The TntteS are satisfied with ilie results for tlie year and are confident that adequate resovrces exist for the Cbarity to continue as a going concern.
Engllsh Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Continued) Chairman's review of activities Harry Bradford continued to lead for the 2023124 season. our 46th. We began with an open rehearsal. which was successfijl in attracting and subsequently recruiting some n¢w singers. The Corne and Sing day in Februory 2024 also brought some extra voices. Over the season. ihe number of singers has steadily incre&sed. We held the following Concertevents. November 2023 The Nigbt Sky at Si Gabriel's Cbureh SWI. This exciting programme attracted a large audience. This was our first concert at St Gabrtel's. which we found to be good value relative to many other London churcbes. but pleasant and well-located. December 2023 - Christmas concert featillg Charpenliet's Messe de minuit at St Gabriel's Church SWI. This also attracted a large and enthusiastic audience. We invited a children's charity-Noah's Ark" to present tlieir mission and collect money. February 2024 - CoJne and Sing Day featuring Durnflé's Requiem at St Cyprian's Chutch NWI. This highly enjoyable event was apprecixted by guests and members alike. It was well-altended, wilh a few gucsts wishing to join us. March 2024 - Biixtehude's Membra Jesu nostri at St James's Church Sussex Gardens W2. This evocative music was beautifully a¢¢ompanTed by soloists from EndelienÉa Baroque, and by Ibe AUl0 Concert of Viols. All the vocal solos were perfonned by members of tlie choir. nre than half taking part. wl)ich is an indication of how strong the choir is. Again. a good audience. July 2024 - Songs of Serenity and Solace at St Gabriel's Cliurch SWI. For this coiieert. we had the services of Helen Raggatt, a professional oboisL Hary devised a contemplative programme with several works for oboe and choir. Our programme for next season includes: October 2024 Come and Sing Day featuring Bach's Christmas Oratorio at St Cyprian's Church NWI. Deceinber 2024 - Bach's Christmas Oratorio at Holy Trinity Church. Sloane Square SWI with or¢hestra and professional soloists. January 2025 Come and Sing Day featuring Mozart's Requiem at St Cyprian's Church NWI. March 2025- Lamentations ai St Gabriel's Church SWI. July 2025 - Summer concert on the theme of 'floweTs" at St Gabriel's Church SWI. Our 47th sehson has begun and been positive in tenn5 of quality and financial security. The goals are still recruitment and seeking out fund-rnising opportunilies to finance professional musicians at concerts. My tliai)ks to my comtnittee and to our taleuted professional musicialls Harry Bradford (MD) and Richard Leach (accompanisl).
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Continued) Donations and fundraising The Choir received a total of £4.771 (2023: £2,001) in dDnations. All donations a welcomed as a significant source of assistance towards the Tunning of the choir Membership 2024 2023 Membership on l August 2023 New rnembers Leavers Membership on 3 l July 2024 10 12 45 60 50 Musical Director Our Musical Director is Harry Brddford is a prize-winning conductor and choral director working in the UK and Europe who has collaborated with a number of the world's fiiiest vocal ensembles including the MDR Rundfunkchor. the Eric Ericsons Kammarkor, the Sixteen and the Swedish Radio Choir.
F.nglish Baroque Choir Financial Slatcments for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The tw.%tccs. of F.nglish Ilar()que Choir are re%poiisiblc lor preparing the anTiual report and Ille rinan¥ial stalement in #ccordance wilh applieablL law and regulaiions. In preparing ihese financial 5t2temenls. Ihe Inlee$ are required to: select suilable accounting wlicics and then apply them consistenily. i)b5crve the method5 and principle% in the C'haTilv SORP: make judgements and accowilit)g estimatC5 ihat are reaSo1ble ]d prudcnL state whcther applicable IJK Accounting Standards havc been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and cxplaiiied iii ihe financlal 5talcrncnts- prepare the financial slatefflents on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will coniinue in business. The trustees responsible for keeping adequale accouiiling records ihal are sutTicienl to show and explaiii Ilie cliarity s trdnsaclions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the rinancidl position Of the charily and enable them to ensure ihal Ihe finanvial slalemenls comply with the Charities Act ?01 l. Trustees are also responsible for safegiiarding the a55ets of Ihe charity and hence for tsking reasonable sILps for the prevenlion and delLliOn of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees. Report was approved by the TrustLY5. Ben Karp Chairn)an Date= 15 April 20?5
Enalish Baroque Choir Flnancial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF 11 ENGLISH BAROQUE CHOIR I report to the truste&s on my examination of the accounts of English Baroque Choir (the "Trnst,) for the year ended 31 st July 2024. Rtspe¢tii'e responsibiliti&% and basis of report As the charity's Erustees you are responsible for the Preparation of the accounts in accordance with the reqvtreiiienis of the Charities Act 2011 ("the 201 l ACV,). l Tewrt in rwct of rny examination of TnLSt's accounts as canied out under section 145 of the 2011 A¢t 8nd in calrying out my 9m1natsOn I have followed all the arq)licable Directions given by the Charity Commissioll under section 145(5Xb) the 201 l ACL Independent ex4miner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confinn diat no material matters havc come to my attention in connection with the exatnination which gives me cause to believe that in any macerial r¢specl: the accounting records were not kept in accordaoce with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.or the accounts did nol accord ivith such rOrds. or )¢ ac¢ounts did Jiot compl>. Ivith thc applic4blc rcquiremeDt5 concerning rhe forn) and content of accounts s¢t out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requiremenr that the accowits give a 'true and fair. view which is not a Matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no ¢oucerDS and have come across no oth¢T tt¢[S io connection with the exaMItion to which attention should be drawn in this r¢port in order to enable a proper understanding of thc accounts to be reache Ch8weevan Williams, FCCA VerdanE Accountants Ltd 20-22 Wenlock Road London, Nl 7GU Date:21 May 2025
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 STATEMENT OF FtNANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024 Unrestricted funds Deslgnated fund5 Total 2024 Total 2023 Income Note Donations 7,707 26,561 7,707 4,063 26,809 Tncome from charitable activities 26,561 Investment income 605 605 587 Total 34.872 34.872 31.459 Expenditure Raising fun(ts Charitable activities (1262) 26,638 (1,262) (1.517) 34.910 26.638 Total 27,901) 27.901 36,427) Net gainsl(losses) on investrnents 908 908 (531} Net In¢ome/(expenditure} 7,880 7,88 {5,499) Transfers bchveen funds (1,200) 1.2(N) Net movement in funds &68 1.200 7.880 5.499 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought fonvard Net movement in funds 12 15.396 13.300 28,696 34.195 6.680 1.200 7.880 5,499 Total funds carried fonvard 12 14.500 36.576 All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The Statement of Financial Activiti&s includ&% all gains ]d losses EniSed in the year. io
English Baroqiie Choir Financial Sitatcments for the l.ear F.nded 31sl July 2024 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JULY 2024 No¢e5 2024 2023 Fixed a$5ets Investments 10.905 10,057 Current H55et$ Debiors io 3.416 Cash al bank and in hand 16.975 ?6.856 19,609 Creditors: Amount5 falling due Th'i¢hin on¢ )tar (1 ?45) 1970) Net cutrent a5sels 18,639 TolAI llet g$set5 Ihe ndS of the eharity: Unre5triLled funds Designated Fund Total th4ritv funds 12 12 15.396 14.500 36.576 The allached notes form artr inlegral part ofthis BalanLC Sheet and should be read in conjunction therewith. The acLounis were approved by the Trus(ces on 15 April ?025. Ray Carlson 'rrusiee and'freasurer
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS l. Accounting policies Charfty information English Baroque Choir is a Charitable Incorporated Organizalion ('£TO"). fomierly English Baroque Choir Limited, a private company limited by guarnutee iiicorpornted iii England and Wales, having its registered office at 6th F]oor. Capitsl Tower, 91 Waterloo Roa(L London SEI 8RT. The application to convert to a CIO approved by the Charity Commis5ioiI on 8 April 2025. 1.1 Basis of preparation The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities" the Sialernenl of Recomniended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (as amended for accounling periods commencing from l January 2019). The chaTity is a Public Benefit Entity as defed by FRS I. The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charitie5 applying FRS 102 Update Bullelin I not to prepare a Ststement of Cash Flows. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the fidional curTaJCy of the charity. Monetary amounts in tiiesc financial ateMen1S are rounded to the nearest £. 1.2 Historlcal Cost convention The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost conventioii with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless othcnvise stated in the relevant notes to thc5e accounts. The principal accounting policies adopted arc set out below. 1.3 Going concern At the time of approving the financial ststements. the trustees have a reasonabl¢ expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foresccable fuMre. Thu5 the tStee$ Continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing Ihe financial staiements. 1.4 Charitable fund Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. Restricted funds are subject to specific coiiditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the r&8trActed funds are set out in tlie notes to the financial statements. Designated Funds foTm part of the Gcneral Funds of the ChaTity. The Charity designates a Fund to account for transactions and res(KJrces that have been earn?arked for a specific purpose." 12
English Baroque Cholr Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) 1.5 Income (i) Subscription& eon¢ert receip sponsorshtp and doDations All income is reported gross on an accruals basis except where conditions for receipt have not been mel or receipt is not reasonably cert2iD. Subscriptions are stated net of remtssions aild provisions for doubtful debts. Sponsorship income received in advance for a concert is deferred to the period in whTcli the event takes place. Services donated free of charge are grossed-up within donations and a corresponding expense reported in the appropriate e05t category. with the exception of time provided by the members. (li) Fundraising Fundraising is stat¢d net of a&w¢iated expenses. J.6 Expenditure Expellditte is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a paymeiit to a Ihird party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measur¢d reliably. Expenditure is ¢las5ified under th¢ following activity headings.. Costs of rdiqing funds comprise the costs of operating fundraising events and attracttng grants and donations no support cost are allocated to this heading as the estimated usage of such overheads is not significant. Expenditure on ¢harttable activities includes the costs of providing the activities of the Choir, including the costs of rehearsals. and their associated support costs. Support and governance cost represents costs of operdting thc charAty and complying witli charity regulations. Irrecoverdble VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditu w&8 inCue<L 1.7 Investments Inv&stments are shown at market value at Ihe period end in accordance with FRS 102. 1.8 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in han deposits lield at call with banks, other short- term liquid investments with original maturiti¢s of three months or less. and bank overdrafts. Bank overdTafts are shown within borrowings in cunEnt liabilities. 13
English Baroque Cholr Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) 1.9 Financial Instruments The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section I I 'Basic Financial Instrnments, and Section. E2 '0ther Financial Instnrnents Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its finhncial instruments. Financial instnunents are recognised in the charitys balanc¢ slieet when the charity becomes party to the contrdctual provisions of the instrument. Financial a55ets and liabilities are offset. with the net amounts presented in the financial Statenllts, when the is a legally enforccable riglit to set off the recognised .amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the a&%et and sellle the liability simultaneously. BasiLfinqnciaISets Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances. are initTally rnSured at Iransaction price including transaciion costs and e subsequenily carried al amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial assets classified as receivable witbin one year are not amortised. Basicfinnncial liabilities Basic financial liabilities. including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price. Financial liabilities clas8ifted as payable withtn (me year arc not amortised. Trdde Creditors aTe obligations to pay for goods or services that liave been acquired iii the ordinary course of operations from supplieT5. Amounts payable are classified &$ current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they aTe psented as nonvcurrent liabilities. Trdde creditor5 are recogiised Initially at tsxnsaclion price and sUbseqU)t1Y measured at amortised cost using Ilie effective interL%t metho(L DerecogAtiion off Inancial liabzh'iies Financial liabilities are derec011Sed when the charitys con¢tUal obligations exptre or are discharged or cancelled. 1.10 Taxation No provision has been rnade for laxation As English Baroque Choir is a public benefit entity wlllch is exempl from UK direct taxation on its charilable activities. 14
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) 2 Donatlons Unrestrieted Designated TDtg1 Total rund5 funds 2024 2023 Donations and fundraisin¥ In¢ome tax recoverdbl¢ 4.771 4.771 2,001 2.936 2.062 7,707 7.707 4,063 The donations in 2023 ]lIng £4.063 were attribvted io unrestricied fimds. 3 Income from ¢harit#ble aetivitÉes Unrestricted Designated Total Total funds funds 2024 2023 Subscriptions 13,899 13.899 11.159 Concert income 9.328 9.328 12,486 Sponsorship and grants 200 200 495 Singing day 3,133 3.133 2.669 26,561 26.561 26,809 Encome in 2023 totalling L?6,809 was attributed to unrestricted fillhds. 4 Investment income Unrestrieted Designated Total Total funds fund5 2024 2023 Interest receivable & investment income 605 605 587 605 605 587 All investment income in 2023 totalling £587 wls attributed to unrestricied funds. 15
English Baroque Choir Fxnancial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) 5 Costs of ralsing funds Unrestrictcd Designated Totsl Total funds funits 2024 2023 Singin¥ day .262 1.262 ,517 1262 1,517 The expendilure in 2023 totslling £1.517 is attributable to unrestricted funds. 6 Costs of charitable aclivitles Unre5trieted DesfigDated Total Total funds funds 2024 2023 Rehearsal costs 13.202 13.202 14,507 Concert expenses 11.558 11,558 19,054 Management and adminislralion 1.428 1,428 509 Independent examination fees 450 450 840 26.638 26.638 The ¢xpendith in 2023 totalling £34,910 is attributable to unrestricted fund 7 Employees The average monthly number of persons (including Trustees) employed by the Charily during the year was O {2023 - 0). 8 Trustees None of the trustees or ony persons connected with them, received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year (2023 - none). 16
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 3Jst July 2024 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) InvestmcntS Totgl Total 2024 2023 699 Cbarifund units (cost £8,000) Balance brought fotward Unrealised gainl(loss) 10.057 10.588 908 {531) Balanc¢ carried forward 10,965 10,057 10 Debtors Total Total 2024 2023 Incom¢ tax recoverdble 2.936 2,062 572 PTepaym¢nts and accrued income 480 3.416 2,634 11 Creditors Total Total 2024 2023 Accruals 450 970 Singing day deferr¢d income 795 1245 970 17
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) 12 Net funds- Unrestricted Brought forward Carried fonv4rd ¥t Incomillg Outgoing 01-Aug-23 TOurCeS resources Transfers 31Jul-24 Genernl Fund 15.396 35,780 (27.901) (1.2001 22,076 Designated Fulld 13.3 14.500 28.696 35.780 27.901 36,576 Brought fonvard CArried rorm'ard at Incojning Outgolog 01-Aug-22 resources resources Transfers 31Jul-23 Generdl Fund 21.295 31.459 (36,958) (400) 400 15,396 Designaied Fund 12.900 13,300 34.195 31,459 (36.9581 28.696 Analysis of movement on Coneert ContiDgeney Fund Aeeompanist soloist5 and Venue hire Condu¢¢or Orchestr* other costs Totul Brought forward Transfer from General fund 2.51)0 1,500 5.000 4.300 13,300 750 350 1.200 Carried forward 2.500 1,600 5.750 4.650 14.500 Coneert ContRngency Fund This is a designat nd io earn)arks resource5 in the event of an unexpected call on funds. due to an income shortfall or unbudgcted costs caused by a disruptive ev¢nt beyond ihe control of the Trustees. This rese¢ is updaied each ye&rto reflect filiure pltsns and c05t estimates. 18
English Baroque Choir Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) 13 Analysis of Re$crves Total Cash Debton IDveslm¢nts Creditors 2024 General Fund 19,905 3.416 (1.245) 22,076 Designated Flind 3,535 10.965 14.500 10.965 36.576 Total Cash Debtors Investments Creditors 2023 General Fund 13.732 2,634 (970) 15,396 Designaled Fund 3.243 10.057 13.300 16.975 2,634 10.057 970 28,696 19