Annual Report and Statement of Accounts
For the year ended August 31, 2025
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Table of Contents
| Achievements and performance | Page 3 |
|---|---|
| Financial Review | Page 8 |
| Accounts to the year ended August 31, 2025 | Page 9 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Year Ended 31 August 2025 | Page 10 |
| Notes to the Accounts | Page 11 |
| Reference and Administrative Details | Page 13 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | Page 14 |
| Objectives and Activities | Page 15 |
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Annual Report for the Year Ended August 31, 2025
The trustees of Allegri are pleased to submit their report and accounts for the period September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.
Our Achievements and Performance
| 11th | 35 | 268 | 1556 | 156,706 |
| year of promoting arts in the Derry & the North West region |
concerts & performances |
rehearsals/ workshops |
participants | in person and online audience |
Allegri is a cross-community arts group established in 2013 within DCSDC, and one of the few remaining legacy projects from the City of Culture year. We have ladies, junior and youth choirs, a community orchestra and manage the annual Every Voice Festival. We also run community outreach activities.
We work to eliminate all barriers to arts participation, harnessing the creativity and self-expression of individuals. We offer access to the expertise and guidance of professional facilitators using arts to promote cross-cultural understanding, empathy and as a means to build positivity and healing.
Our family of choirs meet weekly and Orchestra Northwest meet monthly to enjoy the benefits of music-making and prepare for regular concerts and performances. 2024/25 was another very successful year. Highlights are described overleaf.
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Allegri Ladies Choir
From September 2024 to August 2025, Allegri Ladies Choir enjoyed a successful and varied year of musicmaking and community involvement. The season began with welcoming new members and rehearsing a diverse repertoire, working towards a performance in collaboration and performance with Harmony Too in Lisburn. Weekly rehearsals developed vocal technique, confidence and strong bonds of friendship. The choir performed in two sold out performances of The Snowman and Other Christmas Classics in the Guildhall. Other festive performances included DCSDC Craft Fayre, the Northlands Treatment Centre Annual Carol Service and Santa Sundays at the Hastings Everglades Hotel. From January to May the choir attended workshops with Deke Sharon, took part in the BBC Sing Out! recording and broadcast, performed at the Spring Equinox organised by Gasyard Feile and Foyle Hospice’s 40th anniversary celebrations. In the spring term the choir also took a trip to Tralee and performed alongside Kerry Chorale and in Dingle. They concluded the year participating in the Every Voice Festival.
Allegri Ladies Choir and Harmony Too perform in First Lisburn Presbyterian Church
Orchestra NorthWest
The orchestra began the 2024/2025 year with an Autumn Concert of September Symphonies in the Guildhall. The programme featured a performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, Ravel's Boléro and Hans Zimmer’s exhilarating orchestral suite from Christopher Nolan’s 2014 epic science fiction movie, Interstellar. At Christmas 2024 Orchestra Northwest enjoyed performing in two festive concerts in the Guildhall which included performances of Howard Blake’s The Snowman alongside classics such as Polar Express, Sleigh Ride and Somewhere in my Memory. In Spring 2025 Orchestra Northwest delivered a series of concerts in the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady, the Hill of the O’Neill, Dungannon and the Guildhall, Derry. These performances included Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals , followed by a programme celebrating music from stage and screen, with selections from Chicago , West Side Story , Les Misérables , Schindler’s List and The Wizard of Oz! The year concluded with a moving performance of Gavin Byers’ Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet .
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Orchestra Northwest performing ‘Carnival of the Animals’ at the Guildhall, Derry
Allegri Junior & Youth Choirs
Our Allegri Junior & Youth Choirs had a busy winter term preparing for the Snowman and Other Christmas Classics. This was followed by a two-day minicamp in St Brigid’s Parish Centre in January 2025. Over the course of the camp, our young people learned songs and choreography that brought their creativity to life on stage. The finale was a showcase enjoyed by families and friends. In February 2025 some youth choir members attended Deke Sharon workshops. In April the choirs took part in a day of workshops and a joint performance at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, collaborating with Cookstown Youth Choir and providing a valuable developmental experience for the young singers. They then prepared for a performance in the Every Voice Festival in June. Finishing off their year 80 children and young people enjoyed two exciting weeks of Summer Schemes in August filled with music, dance, drama, visual arts, showcases and a day trip.
Participants pictured with facilitators and management team - Maurice Kelly, Julie McLaughlin, Rachel Tennis, Leigh Chapman and Margaret Kelly following their Summer Scheme Showcase
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Every Voice Festival
The Every Voice Festival, a week-long programme of community concerts, pop-up performances, youth workshops and a Come and Sing! Day of workshops and a Gala Concert delivered across the northwest, took place from 9th to 15th June. There were a total of 1214 participants from 33 choirs and an audience of 8596 which includes in person and online views. Venues included Eglinton Community Centre, the Alley Theatre in Strabane, the Great Hall at University of Ulster (Magge campus), Long Tower Chapel, St Columb’s Hall and the Guildhall in Derry. Musical Director Maurice Kelly worked with a range of groups including weekly rehearsals with our singing for fun choir, the Eglintones, sessions with DEEDS (Dementia Engaged and Empowered in Derry & Strabane) and our schools outreach programme with students from Hollybush PS, Holy Child PS, St Eugene’s PS, St Oliver Plunkett PS. Other highlights included a performance of Gavin Bryars’ Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet , presented with Orchestra Northwest, and the Joy! Sacred Music Concert.
Every Voice Festival Community Concert, St Columb’s Hall, June 2025
Come & Sing Workshop in the Guildhall, Every Voice Festival, June 2025
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Financial Review
Financial Performance
Financial performance in the year to August 31 2025 has been broadly consistent with the trustee’s forecasts and expectations. A deficit of income over expenditure of £(1,896) was recorded for the year compared to a surplus of £869 in the year to August 31, 2024.
The year ended with a general fund balance of £19,864 (compared to £21,760 for the same date last year).
We were recipients of funding from Derry City and Strabane District Council (Community Festivals Fund), Arts Council of Northern Ireland (National Lottery Project Fund and Rural Engagement Arts Programme), CLEAR Short-Term Funding supported by the Public Health Agency (Western) Department of Agriculture.
Full income and expenditure listed on page 9.
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Alle ri g
Statement of Receipts and Payments
- Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Allegri | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Receipts and Payments - Year Ended 31 August 2025 |
|||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted |
Total | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | |||
| Receipts | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Voluntary Receipts | |||||
| Grants | - | 35,745 |
35,745 |
48,898 |
|
| FundraisingActivities | 420 | - |
420 |
926 |
|
| Donations | 2,500 | - |
2,500 |
393 |
|
| Sponsorship | 100 | ||||
| Charitable Activities | |||||
| MembershipFees | 5,576 | - |
5,576 |
9,445 |
|
| Ticket Sales & Performance Fees | 22,661 | - |
22,661 |
18,647 |
|
| Total Receipts | 31,157 | 35,745 | 66,902 | 78,408 | |
| Payments | |||||
| Cost of Charitable Activities | 28,147 | 38,052 |
66,199 |
70,867 |
|
| Asset and Investment Purchase | |||||
| Purchase of Equipment | 676 | 1,923 |
2,599 |
6,672 |
|
| Total Payments | 28,823 | 39,975 | 68,798 | 77,538 | |
| Net receipts /(payments) | 2,334 | (4,230) | (1,896) | 869 | |
| Cash at bank & in hand 31.08.24 | 14,805 | ||||
6,955 |
21,760 |
20,891 | |||
| Surplus /(deficit)thisyear end | 2,334 | ||||
(4,230) |
(1,896) | 869 | |||
| Surplus /(deficit)for theyear | 17,139 | 2,725 | 19,864 | 21,760 |
This financial statement was approved by the board of trustees, authorised for issue and signed on behalf of the board on January 24, 2026 by:
Lisa Gibney Treasurer
Nuala Sheerin Chairperson
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Allegri
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
- Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Allegri | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Year Ended 31 August 2025 |
|||||
| Unrestricted Funds |
|||||
| Restricted | |||||
| Funds | Total 2025 | Total 2024 | |||
| Funds Reconciliation | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash at bank & in hand 31.08.24 | 14,805 | 6,955 |
21,760 |
20,891 |
|
| 2,334 | |||||
| Surplus /(deficit)thisyear end | (4,230) |
(1,896) | 869 | ||
| Surplus /(deficit)for theyear | 17,139 | 2,725 | 19,864 | 21,760 | |
| Bank & Cash Balances | |||||
| Bank Current Account | 17,039 | 2,725 |
19,764 |
21,760 |
|
| Cash in Hand | 100 | - |
100 |
- |
|
| 17,139 | 2,725 | 19,864 | 21,760 | ||
| Other Assets | |||||
| Furniture(at cost) | - | 5,389 |
5,389 |
7,354 |
|
| Digital Piano(at cost) | - | 3,992 |
3,992 |
3,992 |
|
| Laptop (cost) | 676 | 3,172 |
3,848 |
1,249 |
|
| AV Equipment(cost) | - | 2,335 |
2,335 |
2,335 |
|
| Grant income due | 5,170 | 5,170 |
776 |
||
| Performance fee due | 1,489 | - | - |
||
| 2,165 | 20,058 | 20,734 | 15,706 | ||
| Liabilities | |||||
| Music Facilitation | 1,227 | 753 |
1,980 |
1,664 |
|
| Project Management | - | 800 |
800 |
4,000 |
|
| Room Hire | 2,250 | 2,426 |
4,676 |
650 |
|
| Performance Fees | 75 | 500 |
575 |
1,300 |
|
| Audio Visual | 150 | - |
150 |
1,588 |
|
| Transport Costs | - | 100 |
100 |
240 |
|
| 3,702 | 4,579 | 8,281 | 9,442 | ||
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Notes to the Accounts
Reserves Policy
We have examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. We have established a reserves policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 3 and 6 months of the expenditure.
Budgeted expenditure for 2025/26 is £80,000 and therefore the target is £20,000 to £40,000.
The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and the Trustees are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding.
The present level of reserves available to the charity of £17,139 therefore falls short of this target level. Although the strategy is to continue to build reserves through planned operating surpluses, the Trustees are well aware that it is unlikely that the target range can be reached for at least 2 years. In the short term the Trustees have also considered the extent to which existing activities and expenditure could be curtailed should such circumstances arise.
Trustees' Expenses
No expenses were paid to any of the Trustees during the year except to reimburse them for purchases made on behalf of the organisation.
Trustees' Indemnity Insurance
No charitable funds have been used to purchase insurance to indemnify the Trustees against the consequences of any neglect or default on their part.
Accounting Policies
Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 permits a charity to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and liabilities where gross income in the financial year does not exceed £250,000, therefore receipts and payments accounts and a statement of assets and liabilities has been prepared and presented for the year ended August 31 2025. This is consistent with previous years.
Income
All Income, including grants and investment income is recorded when received. All Expenditure is recorded when paid.
Basis of Valuations
Valuations have been provided for assets held for functional use; where possible the brand new purchase price/replacement cost is given. If this is not readily available a second-hand purchase price is given.
Independent Scrutiny
In the year ended August 31, 2025 gross income did not exceed £250,000 and therefore, in accordance with the sections 144 & 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts for the charity must be examined by an independent examiner or audited by a member of a recognised accounting body. The Trustees have opted to have the charity’s accounts examined by an independent examiner as permitted by the Act.
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Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name
Allegri
Charity Number
NIC107895
Principal Address
31-33 Bawnmore Place Strathfoyle Derry BT47 6XP
Charity Trustees as of August 31, 2024
Nuala Sheerin (Chairperson) Naiomh Ashford (Secretary) Lisa Gibney (Treasurer) Maggi Clifford Michael McDermott Rachel Tennis
Banking
AIB (NI) - previously known as First Trust Bank
Meadowbank House 143-145 Strand Rd Derry BT48 7TN
Insurance Broker and Underwriter
M Ladbrook Ltd 21B Napier Court Gander Lane Chesterfield Derbyshire S43 4PZ
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Structure, Governance, and Management
Governing Document and Constitution
Allegri is an unincorporated association and is governed by a constitution which was last revised on June 30, 2022.
Allegri is run entirely by its members who pay an annual voluntary membership subscription. As of August 31 2025, Allegri had a membership of 193.
Trustee Selection and Management
The Society is managed by a Board which consists of all the appointed trustees. A number of the trustees also hold offices within Allegri. These officers are noted in the list of current trustees above. The Board typically meets on a quarterly basis. At each meeting the Treasurer presents the latest accounts which are reviewed against budgets and forecasts. Spending is discussed and approved. Officers may authorise some spending, between meetings, within set limits but must ensure such spending is reported at the next meeting. The meetings also offer a forum to review recent activities within our programme and to plan forthcoming events. Correspondence and applications for membership received are considered and officers report on their areas of responsibility (typically, reports are made quarterly). Further ad hoc meetings are called if required, for example, to plan and manage special events or projects. The Annual Report and Statement of Accounts are approved by the trustees and then presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting.
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Objectives and Activities
Allegri is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (charity no. 107895).
Public Benefits
The direct benefits which flow from the charitable purposes are:
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To raise the standard of arts practice and performance - including shared learning and development opportunities in a safe and supportive environment; improved singing and musicianship skills, a high standard of music education from professional musicians, facilitators, teachers, conductors; the development of life skills in participants; an opportunity to develop social networks and connect with like-minded people; the improvement in physical and mental health and an opportunity to reduce stress and take time away from the pressures of everyday life; the development of transferable skills in participants; ambition, determination and positive life aspirations; opportunities to avail of accredited training and development; volunteering opportunities in arts administration, facilitation, event management
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Creating opportunities for learning, performance and personal development in the arts for young people and adults - include the provision of the high quality arts learning and performance experiences; access to musical tuition, masterclasses and workshops from professional musicians; connections with groups, venues and institutions in the UK and Ireland and internationally; the opportunity to experience a wide range of musical styles and periods in our programming; the removal of obstacles - financial, social, cultural, religious or skills-based - for all beneficiaries; the opportunity to perform in high profile civic settings as well as venues which are not traditionally associated with performance
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To advance community development through arts engagement projects - include the opportunity for individuals to build connections and networks outside their own communities; beneficiaries positively engaging with wider community development initiatives; improved selfimage and community pride; new initiatives led by beneficiaries within communities; challenging of preconceptions, prejudices or stereotypes; music projects taking place outside traditional civic venues
These benefits will be demonstrated through:
Purpose 1: Increased quantity of learning & performance opportunities and increased quality in community arts output; diversity in performances; audience numbers and feedback; the esteem in which our work is held & feedback from audiences, press etc, familiarity with our brand and activities in a short time since our inception; beneficiaries who have not gone the traditional music route through childhood; audiences attending performances for the first time in their lives, now feel that it is something relevant to them that they can enjoy; delivery of projects on budget and within agreed timelines
Purpose 2: Surveys; liaison with our network of community workers; monitoring volunteering opportunities created and keeping connections to those who move beyond our activities; Evidence of increased arts provision; engagement on our social media channels;
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Purpose 3: New initiatives in project areas; increased membership and interest in our activities There is no harm arising from any of the purposes of our organisation. We have a number of robust procedures and policies in place (including Child Protection and Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities and Conflict of Interest policies), to mitigate against any harm which might arise in the future. Beneficiaries are individual members of the ladies and children's choirs and the orchestra (aged 8 upwards), those who take part in our outreach workshops and projects, the general public as audiences who attend our public performances or view our work online.
Our members may benefit from exposure to a wider audience and a positive development of their skills and expertise through performance but this is incidental to the achievement of our purposes. Similarly, our volunteers and trustees may, in the course of their involvement with us, gain benefits including training and development opportunities leading to the acquisition of transferable skills which could be used in settings unconnected to our activities. Any such opportunities are necessary to ensure good governance and management and wholly incidental.
This report was approved and adopted by the Allegri Board of Trustees January 24, 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Nuala Sheerin Allegri Chairperson
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