English Baroque Choir
Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025
Registered Charity: 800398
English Baroque Choir Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025
| Trustees | Daniela Mo (Chair from 2 Feb 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ben Karp (Chair until 2 Feb 2026) |
|
| Kate Bone | |
| Ray Carlson | |
| Chris Siva-Prakasam | |
| Bankers | National Westminster Bank Plc |
| Parklands | |
| De Havilland Way | |
| Horwich | |
| Bolton BL6 4SD | |
| Independent Examiner | Independent Examiners Ltd. |
| The Grain Store Hills Barns | |
| Appledram Lane South | |
| Chichester PO20 7EG |
English Baroque Choir Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025
Trustees' Annual Report
The Trustees are pleased to present their Report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31st July 2025.
Structure and membership
English Baroque Choir (“the Choir” or “the Charity” or “the Trust”) is an amateur choir with a membership of up to eighty auditioned singers. It has been structured as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ("CIO") since April 2025, and prior to that it was structured as a Company limited by Guarantee. The Choir is managed by its Trustees and Committee, all of whom are volunteers chosen from its present membership. Appointments are conferred by the voting membership of the Choir at the Annual or another General Meeting. The Committee members have the following roles; have the following main functions: Chairman, Concert Planner, Treasurer, Publicity Coordinator, Concert Manager, Tickets, Membership/Recruitment, and Minutes Secretary.
Activities and objectives
The principal activity of the Charity is the performance of classical choral music. The objectives of the Charity are for the public benefit, and are to promote, maintain, improve and advance education of the public in the fields of choral music, church music, opera and other classical works and musical and vocal compositions of all kinds as set out in its Trust Deed. The Choir fulfills these objectives by its performance of up to six concerts and two 'Come and Sing' events during its annual season.
Financial review
At the end of the Choir's financial year its funds amounted to £50,610 (2024: £36,576). The Trustees consider the Choir's financial position to be satisfactory and are confident that these resources are at an adequate level for the Choir to continue its activities.
Reserves policy
The reserves policy of the Charity is to retain sufficient resources to provide adequate working capital and risk control for its programme of orchestral concerts and musical events. The Committee keeps under review the financial resources required for a provisional concert plan for the next three years. The Charity has designated a fund to earmark resources in the event of an unexpected shortfall in reserves as a consequence of a 'force majeure' or similar event beyond the reasonable control of the Trustees. The fund is reviewed annually and is primarily represented by investments in Charifund income units.
English Baroque Choir Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025
Chair's review of activities during the year
The first event of our 47th season was a 'Come and Sing' Day. We have decided to aim to hold two every season. These events potentially bring new members to the choir and are an essential factor in raising funds to pay for professional musicians performing at our concerts. The highlight of the season was the performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, where despite the cost of an orchestra and five solo singers, we made a surplus. We have also introduced a Patrons Programme, where subscribers receive two tickets for each concert and exclusive refreshments. This has provided extra funds and has proved very popular. Thanks to Nancy Janin for setting this scheme up. In every respect it has been a good season and I am pleased to reflect that over the past twenty years our financial situation has never been stronger. We held the following concerts/events:
• October 2024 – Come and Sing Day featuring Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at St Cyprian’s Church NW1. This was well-attended with over 110 singers. We are steadily getting the reputation for holding exciting and organised days.
• December 2024 - Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square SW1 with orchestra and professional soloists. As described above, this was a most successful concert, with a large appreciative audience.
• January 2025 – Come and Sing Day featuring Mozart’s Requiem at St Cyprian’s Church NW1. Almost 120 guests joined us for this event.
• March 2025 – Lamentations at St Gabriel’s Church SW1. Although the music for this concert was of a more serious nature, there was still a good audience.
• July 2025 – Summer concert on the theme of “Flowers” at St Gabriel’s Church SW1. It was a very hot day! We made a small deficit, but it was well-performed with a supportive audience.
Our programme for next season includes:
• October 2025 – Come and Sing Day featuring Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle at St Cyprian’s Church NW1.
• November 2025 – Joint concert with Contrapunto, a choir from Zürich, featuring Michael Haydn’s Requiem in C Minor and Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore (Solemn vespers) at St Gabriel’s Church SW1. This will include a small orchestra and solo singers.
• December 2025 – Christmas concert featuring Handel’s Messiah – part 1 and carols for choir and audience St Gabriel’s Church SW1. There will be solo singers.
• January 2026 – Come and Sing Day featuring Mozart’s Mass in C Minor at St Cyprian’s Church NW1.
-
March 2026 – Music for choir and cello at St James’s Church W2.
-
May 2026 – Return visit to Zürich. We will perform Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with Contrapunto.
-
June 2026 – Summer concert – Shakespeare in song at St Gabriel’s Church SW1
As said at the previous AGM, I am standing down as Chairman after over six years in the role. My successor is Daniela Mo, who has been elected by the membership as a Trustee and Chairman on 2 February 2026.
My thanks as ever to my experienced and supportive committee and to our incredible professional musicians Harry Bradford (MD) and Richard Leach (accompanist): we're very fortunate to have you.
Ben Karp Chair for the year ending 31 July 2025 1 February 2026
English Baroque Choir
Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ENGLISH BAROQUE CHOIR
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of English Baroque Choir (the “Trust”) for the year ended 31st July 2025.
Respective responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of Trust’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; or
-
the accounts did not accord with such records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Lomax Pavey Independent Examiners Ltd. The Grain Store Hills Barns Appledram Lane South Chichester PO20 7EG
10 May 2026
English Baroque Choir Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025
Receipts & Payments during the year ended 31 July 2025
| Receipts Unrestricted Total receipts 52,554 Payments Total payments 38,673 Net of receipts/(payments) 13,881 Transfers between funds Cash funds at last year end Cash funds at this year end 33,720 funds £ Members' subscriptions Concert grants Voluntary donations Gift aid receipts Rehearsal costs Concert costs Singing day costs Management and administration Independent examination fees Receipts from charitable activities Bank interest and investment rece 14,837 26,546 660 6,939 2,936 636 14,403 18,328 4,161 1,331 450 (1,700) 21,539 |
Receipts Unrestricted Total receipts 52,554 Payments Total payments 38,673 Net of receipts/(payments) 13,881 Transfers between funds Cash funds at last year end Cash funds at this year end 33,720 funds £ Members' subscriptions Concert grants Voluntary donations Gift aid receipts Rehearsal costs Concert costs Singing day costs Management and administration Independent examination fees Receipts from charitable activities Bank interest and investment rece 14,837 26,546 660 6,939 2,936 636 14,403 18,328 4,161 1,331 450 (1,700) 21,539 |
Designated funds £ |
Total 2025 £ 14,837 26,546 660 6,939 2,936 636 |
Total 2024 £ 14,069 13,689 4,530 2,062 605 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52,554 38,673 13,881 33,720 14,403 18,328 4,161 1,331 450 (1,700) 21,539 |
5,235 1,700 3,535 |
52,554 38,673 13,881 25,074 38,955 14,403 18,328 4,161 1,331 450 |
34,955 | |
| 13,532 11,136 1,152 1,102 840 |
||||
| 27,762 | ||||
| 7,193 17,881 |
||||
| 25,074 |
English Baroque Choir Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025
Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31 July 2025
| Cash funds Total cash funds Other monetary assets Total other monetary assets Investment assets Total investment assets Liabilities Total liabilities Total funds Bank current accounts Bank deposit accounts Gift aid recoverable Suppliers' accounts paid in advance Suppliers' accounts not yet paid Independent examination fees Singing day advance receipts Charifund units (cost £8,000) |
Unrestricted funds £ 33,720 |
Designated funds £ 5,235 |
Total 2025 £ 38,955 |
Total 2024 £ 25,074 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33,720 3,337 (2,927) 3,097 240 2,200 690 37 |
5,235 11,245 11,245 |
38,955 3,337 11,245 (2,927) 3,097 240 11,245 2,200 690 37 |
25,074 | |
| 2,936 480 |
||||
| 3,416 | ||||
| 10,965 | ||||
| 10,965 | ||||
| 1,634 450 795 |
||||
| (2,879) | ||||
| 34,130 | 16,480 | 50,610 | 36,576 |
Ray Carlson Trustee and Treasurer Signed on behalf of all Trustees 10 May 2026
English Baroque Choir Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the accounts
1. Basis of preparation and change in accounting basis
The accounts have been prepared under the “Receipts and Payments” basis as prescribed by the Charity Commissioners, and they meet the appropriate legal requirements. The Trustees confirm, in accordance with the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012, that at the year end the CIO did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties nor any debts secured on assets of the CIO.
The Charity converted from a company limited by guarantee to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 8 April 2025, retaining the same registered charity number (800398). The trustees have taken this opportunity to adopt the Receipts and Payments basis from the year ended 31 July 2025 onwards, having previously prepared accruals accounts under FRS 102 and the Charities SORP.
The comparative figures for the year ended 31 July 2024 have been re-presented on a basis consistent with the current year. Net reserves at 31 July 2024 reconcile to the total charity funds of £36,576 reported in the Charity's accruals accounts for that year.
2. Designated Concert Contingency Fund
This is a designated fund to earmark resources in the event of an unexpected call on funds, due to an income shortfall or unbudgeted costs caused by a disruptive event beyond the control of the Trustees. This reserve is updated each year to reflect future plans and cost estimates.
3. Trustee remuneration and related party transactions
None of the trustees, or any persons connected with them, received any remuneration, benefits from the Charity during the year (2024: none). Expenses reimbursed to trustees or any persons connected with them amounted to £240 (2024:£120)