AXMINSTER AND DISTRICT CHORAL SOCIETY
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1 AUGUST 2024 TO 31 JULY 2025
The object of the Society as stated in its constitution is to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in appreciation of the art and science of music by the presentation of public concerts and recitals and by such other ways as the committee may determine. The Society was originally established in 1985. Since its inception it has been based in the Minster Church, Axminster, by agreement with the Parochial Church Council.
This has been a very mixed year. It started by being plunged into the consequences of the decision – at very short notice – by the Minster to proceed with some reordering. This took away all the space where the choir has always stored its chairs and staging. Alongside having to agree where things could go in the interim we had to start planning, and agreeing with the Minster authorities, the long term arrangements which have finally resulted in our new cupboards at the back of the Minster. To add to the challenges, two leading members of the committee had to leave quite close together and at very short notice, the Treasurer because of her sudden illness, and the Secretary to care for her husband following his serious illness. We are very grateful to those who stood in to cover those roles pending recruitment of replacements.
Celebrating the fortieth anniversary year
During 2024 the committee decided that it wanted to celebrate the choir’s 40th anniversary in 2025. In addition to the music which had already been selected we arranged some special activities, encompassing both current members and others who had sung with the Society many years ago. This resulted in a special leaflet advertising the year’s concerts to be distributed widely throughout the area, and two social events. The first was a buffet dinner for current members, the second a tea party for long standing members and former members who had been singing with the choir in many cases for over thirty years. Finally, the committee decided that the website needed to be refreshed. A member of the choir who is also a marketing professional is taking on the job of creating and maintaining a brand new site. We plan that she will train volunteers from the membership to help with maintenance.
Music matters
Since the last AGM, the choir has performed four concerts, all of which have been warmly received if the reviews and individual comments are anything to go by. A Mozart programme in the autumn featured his well–known Requiem alongside his Solemn Vespers with its famous setting of Laudate Dominum . Following that, there was just enough time to prepare the repertoire for a Christmas concert, which featured Pergolesi’s (or Durante’s) setting of the Magnificat alongside some shorter choral favourites. Our anniversary year began in April 2025 with a performance of Haydn’s Oratorio Creation – a fitting way to start our 40th anniversary year and a work that has been performed in every decade of the choir’s history. A full summer concert followed, featuring Samuel Coleridge– Taylor’s now little–performed Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast alongside From the Bavarian Highlands by Sir Edward Elgar. In all these concerts the choir sang their hearts out, coping well with some challenging repertoire and supported by excellent professional soloists.
It has been heartening to see the arrival of several new singers over the course of the past year who, we hope, have felt welcomed and supported. There is no doubt that the Society faces its challenges, as do all organisations of this sort. Nevertheless, we can feel satisfied with having over the year presented a varied programme of enjoyable and well supported concerts, meeting our public educational aims.
Looking forward
The programme for 2025-26 will continue to present audiences with a wide range of music, starting in November with a concert featuring two modern British composers, Sir John Rutter and Bob Chilcott. Our anniversary year will conclude with a Come and Sing Messiah in Seaton. The spring concert in 2026 will include Vivaldi’s famous Gloria as well as CPE Bach’s Magnificat .
The trustees would like to express their thanks to all those who have worked so hard to make this a successful year for the Society. Most of all we thank our Music Director, Assistant Music Director and our accompanist. We are fortunate to have such talented people at our musical helm.
Presented on behalf of the Trustees
Michael King ADCS Chairman 2023-25
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl member5 ol On accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025 Charity no (If any) Set out on page I report to Ihe trustees my examination of the accwnts of the above charty for the y8ar ended 31 July 2025 Responslblllties and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in acc3Jrdance V¥Tlh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe knr). I rep)rt in respe(l of my examinath)n of Ihe Trust's accounts carried out under se(Aion 145 of the 2011 ACL I have c(Mnpleted my examination. I confinn that no Material matters have ccvne to my attent in cXffirction with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respe(#.' accijjntrng records wefe not kept in amydance with section 130 of theAdor the accounts do not aL%d with the accounting rerL)rds I have no concems and have t(e across no other matters in connection wtlh the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enat4e proper understanding (rfthe accounts to be reached. Independent examinerfs slatornent Signed: Ib MAY IGI Name: Rolwant professional quallfication{s) or body Ilf any)". Address.. 13 Disclosure (Tr*ty cA)mplele rf the examiner needs to hhlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent exarninatK)n of tharity acCnts. dThXions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
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