Charity Registratlon Number: NIC102129
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF
THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
30TH SEPTEMBER 2023

ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND
Unaudited Financial Statements
Table of Contents
For the year ended 30 September 2023
Page
Report of the Trustees
Report of the Independent Examiner
Statement of Financial Activities
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Notes to the financial statements
io
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ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023
Association of Frlends of the South Ulster Youth Orchestra and Band
Music Service, EA Southern Region, Bann House. Bridge Street, Portadown, BT63 SAE
Charity Registration Number: NIC 102129
Date Registered: 24, July 2015.
Annual Report October 2022 to September 2023
Trustees and office Bearers of the Association during the Reporting Year..
Chairperson:
Patrica O'Farrell IAppointed 27 September 20221
Vice Chairperson..
Andrew Fogarty (Appointed 29 November 20221
Secretary..
Niamh Mccluskey (Appointed 29 November 20221
Treasurer:
Caroline Doherty (Appointed 29 November 20221
Previous Trustees and office Bearers..
Tonia Fields IResigned as Secretary 29 November 20221
Pat Masterson IResigned as Treasurer 29 November 20221
Constltutlon
The Association of Friends of the SUYO & SUYB is governed in accordance with its Constitution
which was last updated and approved at the AG M of the Association on the 15th November 2016.
Trustees/ officer Bearers are selected by persons in attendance at Annual General Meetings in
accordance with rules as set out in the Constitution
Objectives and Activities
Purpose
To advance education and promote the appreciation and understanding of music for the benefit
of the public with particular reference to orchestral and band music, by providing f inancial and
practical support. In particular supporting the presentation of public performances and concert
tours by the South Ulster Youth Orchestra and Band.
The direct benefits which flow from the purposes include..
Encouragement of young musicians to participate in and experience the life of an orthestra
player.
Bringing classical music to the public through the provision of public performances in the host
city venues.
An opportunity to experience life as a touring musician.
Forging cross community lifelong friendships.
Personal development opportunity with focus on team building skills.
Opportunities for students with musical ability to progress to advanced teaching with Music
Service tutors, without regard to financial background.
Improved numbers of students feeding through to the Senior Orchestra,
The benefits can be demonstrated through feedback arising from Orchestra and Band tours
received from authorities within the host towns and cities and members of the public
attendin8 open air events.
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ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023
Enhanced personal development as demonstrated through students, applications to study and
contribute to Senior Orchestra in follow up years, student progression to other orchestras,
careers as profession31 musicians and success at ABRSM Examinations, Music GCSE and A
Level etc.
There are no detriments following from the purposes.
The charity's beneficiaries are the members of the Orchestras and Bandslin particular students)
and more widely members of the general public who have the opportunity to attend public
performance5 of the music ensembles.
There are no private benefits f lowing from the purposes.
Main Activitles:
l. To provides flnancial and practlcal support to the Muslc Service of the EA Southern
Region, in the provision of opportunities for the South Ulster Youth Orchestra and the South
Ulster Youth band to undertake tours at home or abroad at which orchestra members will
undertake public performances
2. To provide flnancSal support In form of bursaries for advanced tuition for students
pursuing advanced instrumental study beyond grade 5 under the pupilage of Music Service
Tutors.
3. To provide flnancial assistance to the Music Summer to run addltional workshops over
and above that provided as part of standard provision, the purpose of which is to enhance
appreciation of music and performance by students.
Main Achievements during the year to September 2023.
Chairperson Report..
Following our last AGM in November 2022, our long standing members Pat Masterson and Tonia Fields
had decided to step down following many years of dedication as our Treasurer and secretary
respectively. I had only recently, and may I say reluctantly stepped into the position of Chairperson
from Vice Chair, following the departure of another long standing member Paul McKee. We were then
faced with having to fill the positions of Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. This came at a tlme when
the work we do was so important given the cost-of-living crisis that we all faced and the suspension of
fund raising due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thankfully we have Since filled these positions and I would
personally like to thank Caroline Doherty for taking on the role as treasurer, Niamh Mccluskey as
secretary and Andy Fogarty as Vice Chair.
The Friends association over the years has provided financial support to students in the form of
bursaries. Thankfully we were able to provide this support again in May of this year following its
temporary postponement again due to the pandemic. Niamh and I felt extremely privileged to sit in
as members of the committee and experience the amazing talent of our young musicians.
I would now like to thank all members of the committee for their support and advice throughout the
year. I would particularly like to thank Caroline. Since taking on her role as treasurer, Caroline, has
'insured that our books and all finances meet any new requirements of the charity commission.
I would also like to thank our secretary Niamh who has been a great support taking the minutes at our
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ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023
meeting5 and thank you also to Andy who has taken on the role of Vice Chair. Without their
commitment and time we would have been unable to function a5 a committee and provide the much
needed sUPPOrt our young musicians deserve.
Patrica O'Farrell
Chairperson
Adherence to Charities Commission Nl Statutory Guidance
In the conduct of activities, the Association have regard for the public benefit requirements as set
out in the Charities Commission Statutory guidance.
Annual Aetounts and Flnancial Review
The Association has chosen to present annual accounts in Receipts and Payment Format as
permitted by Charities Commission regulations.
A set of accounts were presented to Annual General meeting on 13th November 2023 after being
submitted to professional account5 for review.
All activities have been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission.
The Charity Commission has been updated with new appointments, and the Financial Account5 for
Year end 30 September 2022 were submitted within the required time limit.
The Friends Association ha5 sufficient funds to sustain the Association's activitie5 Without disruption.
Over the past two years, the ability of the Association to raise funds was severely constrained by the
absence of Orchestra Concert fundraising events- raffles- and other fundraising events that students
would have undertaken pre-pandemlc. However, fundraising is underway again and hopefully will
remain on course.
Income for 2022123 has shown improvement with an increase of £1,822 compared to last year, as
fundraising events began to Eet back on track following the Covid-19 Pandemic,
The Association's income during the Financial Year End September 2023 wa5 £2,063, derived from
fundraising activities, membership contributions, and a small amount of interest on bank deposits.
Expenditure in the Financial Year was £2466, attributed to Advanced Bursary payments, accountancy
charges, trustee insurance, and bank charges.
With income streams considerably reduced over the past few years, no new Advanced Teaching
Bursarie5 were awarded in YE 2021122. Ongoing bursaries were paid, concluding the ongoing payments.
In YE 2022123, it was agreed by the committee to recommence the Bursaries.
At Year End 30 Sep 2023, the A550ciatiOTI'S bank deposits stood at £27,417, showing a reduction of £403
from the previous year.
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ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022
Staternent of Trustee's Responsibilitles
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give
a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its f inancial position at the end of that
period. In preparing these financial statements. the trustees are required to..
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently,.
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements,. and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has an appropriate system of
internal controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting
records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the f inancial position of the charity and
to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2008. They are
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for
the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Disclosure of Information to Independent Examlners
The Trustees who held office at the date of approval of this trustees, report confirm that, so far as
they are each aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Charity's independent
examiners are unaware. and each Trustee has taken all the steps they ought to have taken as a
trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Charity's
independent examiners are aware of that information.
Signed
Patrica O'Farrell
hairperson
Caroline Doherty Treasurer
Date..
11 Iiili.
Date..
li Lkn 7oLE
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