Banbridge Musical Society
Annual Report 2024-2025
The aim of the Society from the outset has been to advance the education of the public in Banbridge and surrounding districts in the understanding and appreciation of performing arts. To facilitate this, the Society performs musical, theatrical and light operatic works and encourages the public to attend and participate.
The purposes of the Society are:
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e to promote and develop Performing Arts for the benefit of the public in the area of benefit;
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@ to encourage participation in and appreciation for Performing Arts by both young people and adults in the area of benefit by the provision of performances, facilities, training and support; and
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e topresent, promote, organise, manage and produce Musical Theatre performances.
Our first event of the year was a day of concerts “Movie Musicals” in Banbridge Parish Centre on 16 November 2024. As we had not performed a show involving our junior members during the year, we decided that we would perform two concerts on this day: a matinee showcasing all of our junior talent; and an evening performance that would focus more on adults but with a few highlights from the junior concert. 30 children took part in the junior concert and they came together again in the evening with 26 adults to take the stage. These concerts attracted a total audience of 330 and received very positive feedback.
The involvement of children in our concerts is evidence of the growing interest within the Banbridge area for opportunities to participate in Performing Arts. These youth members have benefited from increased knowledge of music, dance and drama activities through access to professionals who provided coaching and direction in stagecraft and performance. In addition, they have developed valuable inter-personal skills and confidence through the experience of attending rehearsals with members from a diverse range of backgrounds and the experience of appearing on stage in a quality production. The entertainment element of our objectives is evidenced by the wide support we have received from the local public.
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Preparation for our major production of the year, “Sister Act” began before the concert with auditions on 30 September 2024. Twice weekly rehearsals followed culminating in 4 performances on 9-12 April 2025 in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. This production involved 37 adult members supported by our backstage and production teams. Ticket sales for this show exceeded our expectations with approximately 1,240 tickets sold.
Like most amateur theatre groups, ticket sales alone rarely cover all our operating costs. In order to remain financially viable each year we organise a programme of fund-raising events. We strive to make these of interest and benefit to the public. Examples in the past year include a table quiz, fireside quiz, various raffles, carol singing on a number of different dates and locations and performing at the Georgian Festival in Armagh.
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We also rely on membership fees and donations from our members and patrons. Local businesses frequently support us by placing advertisements in our show programmes or by providing prizes for our raffles. In addition, we apply for grant assistance where this is possible. In the most recent year, we received a Small Events Grant from the Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon District Council towards the costs of hiring the Market Place Theatre, Armagh.
Throughout the year we took advantage of any training opportunities available to us, e.g. Chaperone and Child Protection training for committee members, as a way of ensuring that in all our activities safety is our paramount consideration. in particular, safety on stage is crucial. Risk assessment is completed before each production and the Stage Manager and their team, along with the Director, are responsible for ensuring the safety of all beneficiaries onstage, offstage and in the auditorium. Trustees are responsible whilst in rehearsal premises.
We believe as a Committee that we have been successful in meeting our objectives of promoting and encouraging participation in Performing Arts. We have continued to build our membership and our finances with sensible decision-making at Committee meetings throughout the course ofthe year.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, our trustees have given careful consideration to The Charity Commission of Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that our activities have helped to achieve Banbridge Musical Society’s purposes and to provide a benefit to its beneficiaries.
Aileen Colgan
Chairperson
10 March 2026
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