## **Colmcille Ladies Choir Annual Report To Charity Commission NI** ## **Summary of Activities** The choir continues to meet every Wednesday to practise under the guidance of our musical director, Miss Sheila Carlin. During the year 2024-2025 we participated in the following activities: 20 April 2024 Participation in Derry Feis 23 October 2024 Concert in aid of First Derry Church and Foyle Hospice 27 November 2024 Craft Fair Guildhall Derry & Strabane City Council 15 December 2024 Carol Service in Pennyburn Church The choir presented the Derry Feis Committee with a cup in recognition of the contribution of our founder, Mr Patrick Carlin, to music in the Derry area. The choir performed at various church events including services and funerals throughout the year. ## **Public Benefit** This year the choir continued on a prolonged break as our choir mistress was still recuperating. The Colmcille Ladies choir partakes in a variety of cultural activities which includes regular public performances, choral festivals and charity functions. We perform in a variety of places such as churches, theatres, shopping centres and open air venues where the public are given the opportunity to learn and appreciate choral music. Our members are drawn from all walks of life and backgrounds. We benefit from the opportunities to learn, sing, enjoy and participate in choral music. We are always looking to attract new members and we do this mainly by encouraging our current members to recruit new singers. All age groups, race and creeds are welcome in the choir and our members range in age from 17 to 80 plus. Indeed we have several long established family members within our ranks. All of us in the choir have formed a really close bond due to our years of commitment, dedication and pride in our choir. Sheila, our musical director continues to promote a variety of genres of choral singing, which includes sacred, jazz, popular, traditional, blues and classical. This can be challenging as we often perform in a variety of languages. Participation in the choir helps improve our knowledge of music including diction, breath control, phrasing and singing. Singing in a choir are known to be beneficial for mental health well being, as well as promoting social inclusion. The sense of achievement and increased confidence is another added benefit. These were some of the core reasons our choir was formed by the late Bishop Edward Daly. The choir performs a wider benefit to the public by supporting fund raising activities, for example our annual Carol Services. ## **Financial Benefit** The choir holds both a current account and savings account. A balance of funds is maintained to cover any unexpected expenses. We continue to increase our fund-raising throughout the year to assist with our participation in future choral festivals or events in the coming year. We do this mainly by having raffles at Easter and Christmas. Participation in these events gives us a focus and inspires the choir to keep improving. Overall, the trustees are happy with the finances of the choir. The financial position is secure. The choir has no reserved accounts or assets. ## **Trustees** The trustees of the Colmcille Ladies Choir remain in position as follows: Chairperson Ursula Clifford Musical Director Sheila Carlin Hon Secretary Anne Gallagher Hon Treasurer Angela Morrison Costume mistress Marie Horton Charity Co-ordinator Deirdre Carroll ## **Administration** The choir is administered by the Board of Trustees appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting which is held during January/February. The committee meets on a regular basis throughout the year. The charity is governed by its constitution dated 2 September 2015 which has remained unchanged, and which is approved by the committee members. Mrs Ursula Clifford Chairperson January 2024 Colmcille Ladies Choir NI Charity No 103566 Inland Revenue Charity NoXT21164