mp The Mahler Players Scottish charity no SC044711 Trustees, report & accounts for the year ended 31 January 2025
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ondod 31 January 2025 Contents Pages Tru$tees' report Independent examiner's report Accounts Notes to the accounts
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Trustees, report Reference and admlnistration details The Mahler Players is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIOI. Founded in 2013, the organisation was granted charitable slalus on 04 March 2014, Scottish Charrty No. SC044711. The trustees presenl Iheir lenth report together with the independently examined accounts for the year ended 31 January 2025. Trustees govern the organisalion. The following individuals served as trustees during the year.. No other trustees served during the year. structure, governance and management The Mahler Players, governing document is its constitution and its main actNity is performing live music in the Scottish Highlands. Per the constitution, there musl be a minimum of three. and a maximum of len, Irustees. Anyone wishing to become a Iruslee must complete a written application, and any such applications will be considered by the board of ITustees at its next board meeting. All trustees must retire at the annual general meeling but may be rfrelected. The trustees are also the management committee. They meet when the need arises to plan a concert series or olher relevant activities. As the management committee, the trustees are responsible for both the strategic direction and governance of the organisation and rts day-to-day operations. Objectives and actlvltles The objects of the organisalion are set out in the constitution.. they are to advance the arts and culture in Ihe Scottish Highlands by making available high-qualrty live performances of music by a wide range of comp05ers. We believe passionately that people should not be excluded from artistic experiences based on where they live. The Mahler Players gave a series of three projects {involving five public performances} in 2024 and achieved some of our largest audience numbers in our 11-year history. with some concerts being sold out. This is clear evidence that there is a hunger for what we do evidenced also by the increasing level of funding we have been able to achieve in the year. Although the OLrtlook remains uncertain, especially with continuing evidence Ihal household spend is reducing, the experience we gained from public performances this year gives us the confidence to make things happen suttessfully in the future. Furthermore, we believe we have an important duty lo do $0.
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Trustees, report What we achleved In the year During the year we performed three sets of concerts. Two of our concert series were perfoimed in both Inverness Cathedral and Strathpeffer Pavilion with a third concert of Bruckner's 4th Symphony being perfofmed in Inverness Cathedral only. The first concerts were in May 2024 where we performed Beethoven Symphony no.6 'The Pastoral" together with Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks and Pulcinella Suite. This was an incredibly popular concert series which was well received by the large audiences in attendance in both venues. In September 2024 we then went on to give a single performance of BTuckner'$ 4th Symphony. This was our first single- ¢oncert series and is a model that we will continue to consider in the future. As the rehears81 schedule was shorter this facilitated more players being available, resulting in a fantastic experience for all. This was our first foray in Bruckner's music and was extremely well received by the Inverness audience. Our third project, and another extremely ambitious one for the Mahler Players, was the complete Act Three of the opera Parsifal by Wagner together wf(h the Pielude to Act 1. This reduced arrangement by as commissioned by the Mahler Pla ers and we were absolutel deli r exce lional soloists oinin us. e also had the pleasure of being joined by local singers lo provide the choir required arrangement. The first performance was conducted by music director with the noted Wagnerian Anthony Negus invited to conduct the secon performance, our second collaboration with him. The impact of these concerts on the audience was immense, resulting in extremely positive feedback from both the audience and the concert participants. We were delighted lo be supported in such a big project by donations from several sources being The Inverness Common Good Fund, McDonald's in the Community Foundation, the Hugh Fraser Foundation. The Wagner Soctety Scotland and the Wagner Society as well significant donalions from three anonymous donors. We also continued our long-standing relationship with our corporate funder, HRI-Munro Architecture. The concerts were extremety well received and we received standing ovalions in bolh locations and several commendable reviews. Future plans Al the lime of writing. we are undertaking planning work and funding applications for the coming year's activities. These include a further 4 concert series including the work of Beethoven, Mahler. Bruckner and further ¢oncert performances of Act 2 of Parsifal by Wagner.
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Trustegs, roport Flnanclal resutts Voluntsry receipts for the year were £31,101 (2024= £37,419). charable actlvty income for the yeaT was £21.07012024'. £23,113) and associated chariiable activity costs £48.451 {2024-. £60.220). We ended the year with an overall surplus of £3,720 (2024.. £312) and total funds of £4,236 (2024= £5161. The organisation is unavoidably funded on a han&to-mouth basls with the goodwill of our supporters, funders and most importanlty our regular players and musical dir8clor. In lerms of managing financial risk, each planned serie$ has a detailed budget. Projects do not proceed until funding is secured, elther through our own fiJndraisirvJ efforts or from external parties. The Trustees declare that they have approved the report above. Honorary Treasurer Date.. 30 October 2025
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Trustees, report Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Mahler Playevs I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2025 which are set oul on pages 5 to 9. Respectlve responsibilities of trustees and examlner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wilh the teTms of the Charilies and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charilies Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 las amended). The charity trustees ¢onsideT that the audit requirement of Regulation 10{1) (dl of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not appty. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44{1) (cl of the Act and lo state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's statement My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of Ihe accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those Tecords. It also includes consideralion of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examlnerfs statement In the course of my examination, no matter has ¢ome to my attentlon which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of Ihe 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations to prepare accounts which accord wtlh the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 A¢¢ounts Regulations have not been met, or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention shoukl be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date:
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Accounts STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS Year ended 3110112025 Year onded 3110112024 Notes Unrestrlcted Restrl¢ted Total Total Receipts Voluntary income Donations Grants Fundraising Voluntary iecelpts 8,013 8.585 2.680 19,278 6,823 5,000 14,836 13,585 2.680 31.101 21,703 11,265 4,451 37,419 11,823 Charitable activities 21.070 21.070 23,113 Total receipts 40,348 11,823 52,171 60.632 Payments Charitable activities 36.628 11,823 48,451 60,220 Total payments 36,628 11,823 48.461 60,220 Surplusl(defi¢itl for the year 3.720 3,720 312 STATEMENT OF FUND BALANCES 3110112025 3110112024 Unre$trl¢ted Restrlcted" Total Totsl Bank and cash Bank balance at start of year (Deficit)Isurplus for the year Totsl cash funds 516 516 204 3.720 4,236 3,720 £ 4,236 312 £516 'See note 8 for a breakdown of fund balances The notes on pages 6 to 9 form an integral part of these accounls. roved b the Irusl es on 30 October 2025 and si ned on their behalf by
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Notes to the accounts (continued) Ba$1$ of accountlng The accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotlandl Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scolland) Regulations 2006 las amended). Where a donor has directty paid for a charitable cost for the organisalion (such as the production of promotional materials) without seeking reimbursement, the cash value has been included in the statement of receipts and payments under "donations" and "cost of charitable activities" There were no su¢h donations in kind in the year12024= £nil). Nature and purpose of funds Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the organisation. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day- to4ay wnning of the organisalion. Restricled funds may onty be used for specrfic purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by a donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes. For details of restricted funds. see note 8. Related party transactions No truslees or any connected person received remuneration during the year. Three truslees incurred ¢harrtable activities and fundraising costs on behalf of the organisation tolalling £3, 121 {2024.' £3,939) which were reimbursed during the period. A close relative of one trustee incurred expenditure of £92 12024.. £184) and was reimbursed duiing the period. There were no governance costs for attendance at trustees, meeling in the year (2024.. £nil). Donations and gift aid Year Year ended ended 3110112025 3110112024 Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Totsl Total Individual 9iving Gift aid 6,943 1,070 6,823 13,766 1,070 16,214 5,489 Total 8,013 6,823 £ 14,836 £ 21,703
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Notes to the accounts (contlnued) Grants Dufing the year. the organisation receNed the following grants.. Year Year ended ènded 3110112025 3110112024 Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Total Tolal Hugh Fraser Foundation, McDonalds Group The Wagner Society, The Wagner Society Scotland, Common Good Fund 2,500 2.500 5.000 2.000 500 3,585 2,500 2,500 1.000 500 4,785 5.CK)O 2,000 500 3,585 Total 8,686 6,000 £ 13,586 £ 11,265 t Grant towards PafaI Act 3 Fundralslng Year Year ended ended 3110112026 3110112024 Unrestrlcted Restrf¢ted Totsl Total In¢ome Corporate sponsorship Donations via online sales Total 1,500 1.180 2,680 1.500 1,180 £ 2,680 4,400 51 £ 4,451 Expèndlture Donor support cost8 T•)tsl
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Notes to the accounts {continued) Charitable activities Year ended 3110112025 Year ended 3110112024 Total Totsl INCOME Ticket sales CD sales Charitable activity income 20,710 360 21,070 22,973 140 23,113 EXPENDITURE Artislicjcreative.. Composer fees Players, fees {excludes in-kind - see below) Singers, fees Conductors, fees 5,200 5,020 7,078 1,000 12,500 6,015 8,200 1,ClOO Venueslequipmenl.. Venues. transport & equipment Music hirelpurchase 7,003 2,994 7,134 276 Marketing, advertising & PR 4,066 4,560 Overheads.. Travel and accommodation expense5 Fees & bank charges Other sundry costs Catering costs Charitable activlty costs 14,378 379 119 1,214 £ 48,451 20.054 394 87 £ 60,220 Expenditure by fund type.. Unrestricted cosls Reslricled costs Charltable a¢tlvlty costs 36,628 11,823 £ 48.461 31,254 28,966 £ 60,220 Charitable aclivily costs do not include "in-kind. costs. This would include our players who give their time for free, organisations {such as High Life Highland) who provide services for free or al reduced rates, and our Trustees who devole countless hours to running the organisalion.. planning. fundraising, marketing, logistics, performinglconducting and all other things that need to happen to keep The Mahler Players operational. 11 is challenging to put a value on "in-kind". However, one Te¢ent funding application submilled estimated £20,000 for musicians, time for a single coneert series (rehearsals and performances) on the basis of Musician Union rales, and a further £18,000 for Trustees, lime for a year.
THE MAHLER PLAYERS Year ended 31 January 2025 Notes to the accounts (contlnued) Restrlcted funds 3110112026 3110112024 Parlslfal A¢t3 Total Tolal Balance at start of year (2,000) Restricted income received 11.823 11,823 30,966 Restricted costs Incurred (11,823) (11,823) (28,9681 (Deficlt)Isurplus for the year 2,000 Balance at end of year Restricted funds represent all actwities associated with the grants received from the followin9 donors.. Hugh Fraser FouTrJation The Wagner Society The Wagner Society Scotland Unnamed personal donor