## **Trustees Annual Report for the period ending 31st December 2023** ## **1[st] Old Boys Silver Band** ## **Registered Charity NIC 100053** The 1[st] Old Boys Silver Band is governed by the 1[st] Old Boys Silver Band Constitution and is managed by an Executive Committee containing band members elected at the band’s Annual General Meeting. Full details of the band’s accounts are available on the Charities Commission NI Website. 2023 saw the band finally return to normal, pre-Covid activities including regular rehearsals, public performances, contests and fundraising. Individual members of the band gained success at the annual Brass Band NI Solo and Quartet completion in February. The band gained first prizes at the Brass Bands NI Festival in Fivemiletown in March; and the Spring Championship in April. In February the band made a studio recording of the composition ‘Rasp’ by Belfast-based composer Anselm McDonnell. In June the band recoded a programme of music for broadcast by BBC NI. Younger members of the band participated in the Fermanagh/Tyrone brass band summer school and the Ulster Youth Orchestra and one player was accepted on to the European Youth Brass Band that assembled in Malmo, Sweden in May. Another young member participated in a ‘play along’ with the Ulster Orchestra, A number of public concerts were given over the summer months including at Victoria Park, Belfast and Moira Demesne. These were offered free to the public and were well attended. Band members arranged a number of fund-raising activities including running the Belfast Marathon, tea parties, cake and clothing sales and a Celebratory Formal Dinner held in September. In November the band hosted a ‘Musical kaleidoscope’ concert in Belfast, and in December band members undertook a series of free public Christmas carolling performances as well as a joint Christmas concert with Comber Primary School. Band finances were augmented by the range of performances that gained fees, and by members’ subscriptions, allowing us to meet our running costs. ## **Public Benefit Statement** 1[st] Old Boys Silver Band promotes the playing, understanding and appreciation of brass band music in its various forms. The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is that the cultural lives of the general public of Northern Ireland will be enriched with high-quality musical performances. This benefit can be evidenced by the feedback from the general public and audience members who have listened to our performances. This purpose will not lead to any harm and results in no private benefit. Full details of the Public Benefits Statement are accessible via The Charities Commission NI Website. ## **Summary of Public Benefits** We bring together members of the community from all walks of life for a collective musical experience. Our purpose is to provide a facility for any person to play or learn to play a brass or percussion instrument to the best of their abilities and to pass on our knowledge and experience to the next generations of musicians to keep the tradition of brass bands alive in our community. We offer support from a group of volunteers who give their time freely on either a one-to-one basis or as part of a group. ## **Administrative Details** ## **Governing Document** 1st Old Boys Silver Band Constitution adopted on 12[th] January 2004 and amended on 17[th] April 2023. ## **Charity Address** 20-22 Donegal Street Belfast BT1 2GP ## **Charity Trustees** Mr Ronald White (Chairman, Board of Trustees) Mr William McCann (Trustee) Mr Joe Cassells (Trustee) ## **Executive Committee** Nigel Hylands (Band Chairman) Andrew Pentland (Band Vice Chairman) Daniel Sharpe (Secretary) Victoria Lloyd (Treasurer) Alan Hunter (Librarian) Ollie Begley (Media/PR Officer) Louise Bell (Development Officer) ## **Summary** The band comprises of three Trustees as indicated in detail on the Charities Commission NI website and an Executive Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting. ## **Declaration** The Trustees and Executive Committee declare that they have approved the Trustee’s Report. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the band’s constitution and have been scrutinised by a qualified person in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Commission NI and are available to view on the Charities Commission NI website. ## **Ronald White** ## **Chairman, Board of Trustees**