**Glenlough Community Choir Annual Report** (from October 2023 to end of June 2024) 

The committee, Chairperson Elizabeth Anne Wasson, Secretary Ann Tyler, Treasurer Jimmy O'Neill, Kate Semple, Rosie O’Neill, Lisa Black and Anne McCambridge the Music Director have met on Zoom eleven times since the last AGM 

This is a brief summary of the activities of the committee. The Music Director's report provides further details of the events. 

## Banking 

It has been agreed that the choir should have online banking to facilitate payments.  The choir has now got a card reader which enables cashless payments to be made for donations and subscriptions. In addition, the choir has now got a QR code which may also be used for donations to the choir. All this contributes to making the job of treasurer much easier. 

## Events 

The Choir performed in a concert in Keady near Crumlin on the 4[th] November 2023. 

The Choir participated in the Annual Community Carol service held on the 10[th] December 2023 at the Church of Ireland, Largy Road, Carnlough. 

The Christmas concert was held in the Church of Ireland in Glenarm on the 16[th] December 2023. Funding was obtained through the Arts Council and Lottery fund to include funding this concert as part of the introduction to the Pick me up choirs which met in the early weeks of 2024 and culminate with a Singing Day in the Braid centre in Ballymena on the 6[th] April 2024. 

On the 15[th] February 2024 the choir held their rehearsal with a light entertainment evening at Carnlough library. This was well received. On the 21[st] February 2024 UTV live camera and sound crew attended 

AMS  Confidential 



the Hub to record the choir including Ballygally, Glenarm and Broughshane pick me up choir. This was to advertise the Big-Sing Day at the Braid centre in Ballymena and promote the idea of Pick me up choirs. 

28[th] March 2024 the library in Carnlough saw another evening of performance by the choir. 

17[th] April 2024 Glenlough choir and the Pick me up choirs sang for an audience from the Northern Health and Social care trust at Tullyglass Hotel. The conference was an opportunity for attendees to examine social prescribing as a way of promoting well-being and improving mental health in the area. 

1[st] June 2024 The Market yard in Glenarm held a farmer's market. Tickets for the raffle and concert were for sale as well as other items of merchandise.  The choir sang to provide a flavour of what was coming in the concert on the 15[th] June 

Summer Concert 15[th] June. This was a very enjoyable evening, ending with a standing ovation. Anne is to be congratulated for the training of the choir and finding other musicians to elevate the concert to new heights. 

## AGM 20th June 2024 

The choir has had a busy year, and the committee are to be congratulated for their hard work. These events would not run smoothly without them.  Also thank you very much to all the choir members who are asked to provide donations for raffles, baked items for refreshments for concerts etc. We all work together as a team and the Choir is thriving. 

## Printing of Music 

There have been discussions held regarding the legal use of sheet music. Some music is free of copyright and other songs have to be paid for and copied in limited numbers. Printing cost money and the committee have been looking into making grant applications for 

AMS  Confidential 



funding to purchase music and or a printer so that we can use it for programmes, tickets, music, lyrics etc. Also, the legal use of music in performance. It may be that Anne can send us the music and each choir member prints their own at home before the rehearsals. 

## Future Plans 

It is hoped to run a Christmas concert in December2024 

Anne is hoping to apply again to the Arts council for funding to run another Singing day in the Braid centre. 

There is a possibility of collaborating with another choir to put on a concert. 

It is hoped that a summer concert will be held next June 2025. The diary is already filling so enjoy the Summer and come in great shape ready to sing with gusto! and enjoy making wonderful sounds with friends. 

AMS  Confidential