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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). char￿able 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 Pa￿faI 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