MUSICAL DIRECTOR: RALPH WOODWARD PATRON: THE LORD FAIRHAVEN
ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024
Objectives of the Fairhaven Singers
The objectives of the Fairhaven Singers 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 by such other ways as the choir through its committee shall determine from time to time.
Structure
The Fairhaven Singers is a membership organization managed by an elected committee, as set out in its constitution.
Chair: Robin Higgons Treasurer: Gavin Stark Secretary: Emily Dourish Member: Andrew Smith Member: Karen Hébert Musical Director (ex officio): Ralph Woodward
Activities
The following reports are based on the reports presented at the AGM on 27 September 2024
Chairman’s Report
Well, for the first time in several years, we’ve had a relatively uneventful year in terms of external shocks and pressures. As a result, the year has been very satisfying, and as musically rewarding as always.
I would like to thank Ralph, the Committee, and all the choir members who contribute through jobs and support that continue to make this possible.
Our programming and financial plans have put us well on course to rebuilding our financial reserves and the choir remains on a very sound footing for the future.
Looking forward, Ralph and Gareth will be discussing our plans for the next couple of years. As always, Ralph continues to build a really exciting and varied programme which will entertain and keep us busy for the foreseeable future. With Gareth’s wise hand to steer us in the future, our ambitions to become / remain the leading amateur chamber choir in the East of England will continue to be achievable.
The AGM will be my last day as Chairman of the choir, when I hand over to Gareth. I will have had the pleasure and privilege of being Chairman for 15 years and it is the right time for me to step aside to allow new person with new ideas to take the choir forward. I have had massive support from the majority of choir members over this period and I would like to thank them all for their work in making the choir what it is today.
Registered charity no. 802542
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Robin Higgons
Musical Director’s Report
Ralph presented the breakdown of the choir’s activities since the last AGM and a summary of the future plans for the choir:
Activities since last AGM
October 2022 Todd Requiem in York Minster, Appointment of Choral Scholar November 2023 Victoria Requiem and music for choir and cello, including Geoff Page premiere December 2023 Carols at Anglesey Abbey, Christmas concert in Trinity March 2024 Scarlatti Stabat Mater and English anthems April 2024 Auction of Promises July 2024 Including Bach Der Geist, Gibbons, Stanford, Saint-Saëns in Queens’ September 2024 Downing College concert for Worshipful Company of Woolmen
Planned future activities
October 2024 Appointment of Choral Scholar(s) November 2024 Howells Requiem, Stanford Songs of the Fleet December 2024 Including Mendelssohn, Todd, Beamish, Leighton, Warlock, Nelson March 2025 Handel Dettingen Te Deum and Haydn Heiligmesse April 2024 Auction of Promises May 2025 Transplant Service? July 2025 Including Brahms, Ravel, Whitacre November 2025 Repertoire tbc Christmas 2025 Including Poulenc, Holst, Frances-Hoad March 2026 War Requiem March 2027 B minor Mass
Ralph Woodward
Treasurer’s Report
(the financial reports are presented separately)
Notes to the Income and Expenditure report
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The choir had a regular surplus of £4,131.83 over the year, compared to a deficit the previous year of £4,200.67; this is in large part due to the March concert not requiring an orchestra, hence costing about £8,000 less to put on.
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There was a donation of £10,000 for the prospective March 2026 performance of the War Requiem; this is not part of regular income.
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The Alyson Harvey Fund investment portfolio revaluation for 2023-2024 occurred for 1 Sept 2024, and thus does not appear in this set of accounts; however, the portfolio has grown by £1,845.60 which will therefore appear in income next year.
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There are some minor accounting differences to previous years (due to the change in treasurer and embedded knowledge). For example, one accounting difference that will revert next year is that Gift Aid on members’ and friends’ subscriptions, £2,543, is accounted for under ‘other income’, rather than members’ or friends’ income.
Registered charity no. 802542
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Notes to the Balance Sheet
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The total assets of the choir are now £39,417 (minus liabilities, plus the ALH portfolio growth noted above) instead of £25,459, with £10,000 is specifically designated for the War Requiem in March 2026 and the additional £4k from the surplus for the year.
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We are preparing for the March 2026 War Requiem with fund raising and donations; similar concerts put on by others in similar venues have cost £30k to £40k (our normal March expenditure is £5k to £15k) hence the separate fund on our balance sheet, which does not reflect a value of the choir’s reserves.
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CDs are currently valued for accounting purposes at: Sappho Sings £5; Full of Grace £5; Todd Requiem £1; Into the Stars £1. The CD Blue Skies That Sparkle, and recipe books are valued at £0.
General comments on our financial performance and forecast
In the recent past the choir has had to consume its reserves in surviving Covid, and paying for the Sappho CD recording; this year we have (in part through a less expensive March concert) built up some of this reserve, which would allow us to cope beHer with any unexpected event. With the March 2025 concert expenses, this following year will probably be neutral (perhaps a small surplus). There are expected to be specific donations in preparation for the March 2026 concert, which will be accounted for separately (as in this year). We retain the investments in the Alyson Harvey Fund, which will continue to be used for assisting with the social welfare of the choir (such as the expenses for the York concert last year), but which can be tapped in emergency.
Gavin Stark
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Registered charity no. 802542
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Fairhaven Singers Income and Expenditure 1 Sep 2023 – 31 Aug 2024
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2023-2024 | 2022-2023 | |||||
| Income | ||||||||
| Ticket sales | 206.00 | 11,829.78 | 12,035.78 | 12,908.68 | ||||
| Donations income | 416.38 | 10,460.00 | 10,876.38 | 930.00 | ||||
| Members' income | 10,649.00 | - | 10,649.00 | 11,937.50 | ||||
| Other income | 2,543.01 | 414.52 | 2,957.53 | - | ||||
| Friends' income | 2,000.62 | - | 2,000.62 | 2,579.97 | ||||
| Fund raising (e.g. AOP) | 1,734.68 | - | 1,734.68 | 1,785.00 | ||||
| Performance fees | 350.00 | - | 350.00 | 1,000.00 | ||||
| Other sales income | - | 304.38 | 304.38 | 616.40 | ||||
| Cost recovery | - | - | - | 18.40 | ||||
| Other concert income | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Total Income | 17,899.69 | 23,008.68 | 40,908.37 | 31,775.95 | ||||
| Expenditure | ||||||||
| Musical Director | 9,500.00 | 3,070.00 | 12,570.00 | 12,445.00 | ||||
| Soloists, orchestras & instrument hire | - | 1,150.00 | 1,150.00 | 13,787.50 | ||||
| Concert programmes | - | 1,785.00 | 1,785.00 | 1,470.00 | ||||
| Venue hire | 800.00 | 1,926.00 | 2,726.00 | 1,862.00 | ||||
| Ticket refunds | - | 50.00 | 50.00 | - | ||||
| Concert catering | - | 672.91 | 672.91 | 725.77 | ||||
| Sheet music printing & hire | - | 2,170.00 | 2,170.00 | 902.00 | ||||
| Marketing & publicity | 509.00 | 1,966.00 | 2,475.00 | 3,049.00 | ||||
| Other concert costs | - | 20.00 | 20.00 | - | ||||
| Other costs (inc York expenses) | 304.61 | 2,126.60 | 2,431.21 | 571.34 | ||||
| Professional fees & services | 726.42 | - | 726.42 | 669.51 | ||||
| Social event costs | - | - | - | 494.50 | ||||
| Donations | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Commission fees | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Recordingengineering&production - | - | - | - | |||||
| Total Expenditure | 11,840.03 | 14,936.51 | 26,776.54 | 35,976.62 | ||||
| Surplus / (deficit) | 6,059.66 | 8,072.17 | 14,131.83 | (4,200.67) | ||||
Fairhaven Singers Balance Sheet as of 31 Aug 2024
| As at | As at | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2024 | 31/08/2023 | ||||
| Current Asset | |||||
| A101: Lloyds Bank | 11,941.61 | 6,393.60 | |||
| A102: Paypal | 291.90 | 125.62 | |||
| A103: Petty cash | 55.52 | 142.42 | |||
| A105: Charles Stanley Capital Account Cash | 335.61 | 3,265.52 | |||
| A106: ALH Fund investments | 14,284.85 | 14,284.85 | |||
| A107: Charles Stanley Income Account | 1,620.73 | - | |||
| A110: CD stocks | 1,104.00 | 1,277.00 | |||
| A111: Other stock | 18.00 | 18.00 | |||
| A200: War Requiem | 10,000.00 | - | |||
| Total current assets | 39,652.22 | 25,507.01 | |||
| Liabilities | |||||
| 6699: Agencycollections | 234.38 | 48.00 | |||
| Total liabilities | 234.38 | 48.00 | |||
| Net total assets | 39,417.84 | 25,459.01 | |||
| Represented by | |||||
| General Fund | 25,446.32 | 20,185.39 | |||
| Alyson L Harvey Fund | 15,784.03 | 17,093.21 | |||
| Dora Kemp Commissions Fund | 2,629.39 | 2,569.39 | |||
| Recordings Fund | -14,341.90 | -14,288.98 | |||
| War Requiem Fund | 10,000.00 | - | |||
| Agency (Umo So Voz) | -100.00 | -100.00 | |||
| Total | 39,417.84 | 25,459.01 | |||
Fairhaven Singers Charity No. 802542 st AecouiiL¥ Cur the period I September 2023 to 31° August 2024 I have iiidcpcndently exainined the accounts for The FairhavLii Singers for the period I" September 2023 to 31" Auiyusl 20?4 8LI uul dnd required by The Cliarity Commission Act, (CCA). Tlie F'aii'liavLn SinbTer4i have chosen to prepare tlieir accouiits on the receipt and payment (RP) basis and subject them to independent examination which falls witliin the scope of tlie regulations. My objectives are thus: l . To identify whether or not proper aLYounling records Iiave been kept. 2. To check that the accounts agree with the actsounting records. 3. To look for significant errors in the accounts. 4. To ensure that the accounts have been prepared in accordance willi CAR- in so far as they apply to accounts maintained on an RP basis. Report No matters have arisen during the course of my examination where I l)ave to give an adverse report. I consider that the annual financial statements of The Fairhaven Singers as preseiited to me reflect a true and fair statement of the status of each fund. J. Smith Date 171 Madera Avenue San Carlos California 94070 USA