Irish Video Game Orchestra Trustees Report
For the year ended 31st December 2023
Information
Trustees
David Bennington Adam Humphreys Robert Martin
Charity Number
NIC108928 Registered November 2022
Registered Address 45 Abbey Park Belfast BT5 7HN
Trustees Report
Activities
The activities of the Irish Video Game Orchestra are to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit. This includes
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the presentation of public concerts providing stimulating and challenging playing opportunities for amateur instrumentalists over 18 living in and around the Belfast Metropolitan Area and throughout Northern Ireland.
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performing regular public concerts of video game orchestral repertoire to a high standard.
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spreading awareness and advocating for the acceptance of video game scores as a legitimate orchestral music genre.
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undertaking any other activities which the trustees deem supportive of the charity's purposes.
Events
2023 was a good year in terms of live performances, with four major events throughout the year. Starting the year strong with a self hosted event in Sailortown, this was a sellout show and helped bring attention and support to another local charity in restoring the old St. Joseph's church building.
Following this was an invitational to perform with Kaizoku Con in University College Cork. This event is a highlight in expanding the reputation of video game music to the whole of Ireland as well as excellent musical experience for members, and is something we hope to continue to do in the future.
Following this were several nights at the Avenue Arts Centre and partnering with QUB’s Dragonslayers group to perform in the closing ceremony of the well attended QCON event in Belfast. The last of our performances was in the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine, which was also well attended.
Another important event was the expansion of our open rehearsal strategy. This helps us connect people who are not able to commit to frequent rehearsals with the VGM community, providing experience and tutorship. We are pleased to report this resulted in several new members.
Finally, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Sony Playstation toward the end of the year, composing a medley of Playstation pieces that were used during Playstation’s charity tournament streams on Twitch. This gave us an audience of many thousands, and will hopefully afford us further opportunities to work together with Sony. Additionally, we were able to support the Prince’s Trust in their Million Makers campaign.
Finance
The IVGO commenced the financial year £1455 in credit in bank accounts. The overall expenditure of the year was £7661, while overall income was £7486. On paper this represents a loss of £175, however there is an outstanding invoice due from the Coleraine event, which although cannot be reported on this years account represents an overall return to growth.
2023 saw the exciting start of merchandising to help fundraising efforts. Despite costs, this represents a material contribution to income and is something we hope to continue with in 2024.
The above is a true and accurate record of the operations of the Irish VIdeo Game Orchestra in the year to 31st December 2023.
Trustee Signatures:
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David Bennington
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Robert Martin
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Adam Humphreys