The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir Annual Report to Charity Commission NI Summary of activities: Season 1[st] September 2022 to 31[st] August 2023
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Our new season started tentatively with reduced attendance compared to preCovid numbers. Rehearsals began with our standard pattern though our customary Remembrance Service for the families bereaved in the previous year in the Intensive Care Unit had to be recorded for a second year.
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However, we then had a remarkable in-person Carol Service in Eglinton with a magnificent turnout and generous recessional donations raised. Our concert return to St. Columb's Cathedral was a pleasure, with some wonderful repertoire in that beautiful place, celebrating the 150th anniversary since the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Our links to this Cathedral are now long standing, having been maintained in recent years by our musical staff, Ian Mills, Derek Collins and Nicky Morton.
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The Choir was invited to take part in a celebration of the 150th anniversary of St. Eugene's Cathedral during May, with funds raised contributing to the Cathedral Choral Scholars’ Fund and this year's charity, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. This event allowed us to break the dark memory of the first lockdown in March 2020, with a performance of Chilcott’s “Gloria”, a piece we had prepared well but which had to be abandoned. Opening this glorious concert with such a happy piece was special with challenging difficult rhythms and harmonies which we executed impressively. The Cathedral Choir item was followed by the two choirs merging well in extracts from Handel’s “Messiah”, with our combined strength amplified in the resonance of the building.
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As well as the £1,000 we were able to donate to the Cathedral Scholar’s Fund, the Hospital Choir donated £2,000 in person to the parents of Kevin Bell to add to their charity which brings deceased loved ones home, two ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.
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We conducted a survey for members to express their wishes for the Choir’s future, which will be a valuable guidance for the committee and musical director and much food for thought and ideas for the coming seasons. `Of especial importance is the need to restore membership numbers in order to
increase choral strength and voluntary member contributions as donations for our charitable purposes.
Public Benefit
The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir gives public benefit by providing facilities for recreation for local Health Trust staff and community members. This has been achieved by the participation of significant numbers in the choir itself and the audiences who attend its various performances. Secondly, the Choir gives benefit by promoting the musical culture of the community especially young musicians, achieved through its performances and the use of the young soloists in its concert programme. Finally, the Choir has specifically advanced charitable work locally through the ICU and Carol Services together with substantial donations to charitable causes.
Financial Review
The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir holds a current and a deposit account which maintains a balance of £2,670. The financial year figures are as follows:
| Date | Deposit | Current | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/09/2015 | £2,670 | £4,782 | £ 7,452 |
| 01/09/2016 | £2,670 | £3,983 | £ 6,653 |
| 01/09/2017 | £2.670 | £4,573 | £ 7,243 |
| 01/09/2018 | £2,670 | £6,010 | £ 8,680 |
| 01/09/2019 | £2,670 | £7,545 | £10,215 |
| 01/09/2020 | £2,670 | £8,525. | £11,195 |
| 01/09/2021 | £2,670 | £9 318 | £11,988 |
| 01/09/2022 | £2,670 | £2,629 | £ 5,299 |
| 01/09/2023 | Closed | £4,009 | £ 4,009 |
Thus the financial position is secure though the Committee is pledged to begin a restoration of its pre-Covid balance during the coming seasons. The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir has no reserved accounts nor capital assets.
Trustees
President: Patrick McEvoy Chairman: Neil Black Secretary: Eleanor Quinn Treasurer: Lesley Mitchell Librarian: Susan Spence Charity Officer: James Kelley Other Trustees: Mary Coyle, Paul McGarvey, Maureen Neely, Kathy Park, Teresa Sweiden
Administration
The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir is administered by its Board of Trustees, appointed annually at the AGM and known as “the Committee” which meets at least 3 times per year and its AGM which is held annually during September/October. The Charity is governed by its Constitution, approved by General Meeting on 3[rd] . February 2016 and is recognised by the Hospital Trust.
Trustee and Choir Charity Officer 13[th] . May, 2024
Altnagelvin Hospital Choir Northern Ireland Charity Number NIC103144 13, Aberfoyle Crescent South, Londonderry, BT48 7PF