Minutes of St Georges Singers 58th Annual General Meeting
Held at St Georges Church Hall, Poynton
14th October 2014
Meeting started: 7:30pm
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4.
Apologies: Alison Gunn, Sue Sawyer.
Previous minutes approved by Jo Bluck, seconded Lorraine Lighton.
Matters arising: none
Chairs report
Andrea commented on the previous concert season of wonderful and varied music making. We are a
friendly and versatile choir, and it was a successful year. Satisfying plans came together. Skilfully and
wittily conducted Neil and accompanied by Jeff. In good hands from the start and know if we play our
part all will come together.
Looking forwards Andrea noted that in terms of repertoire the Buxtehude and Vaughan Williams Sea
Symphony suggestions from Choir had been taken on board and were in the seasons works.
Andrea expressed gratitude to committee members and volunteers throughout the Choir. Thanks to
Peter who continued until Dec 2013 despite moving to York.
In terms of our Assistant Musical Director we were sorry to lose Calum and wish him well, yet pleased
to welcome Joe – much appreciated already for vocal coaching and role in Cheshire consort …
Highlights last year – Bach and premiere of Will Todd made possible by the generous bequest of
former member and some members of Choir as shareholders. Great to have Will Todd at the
performance and has become quite a piece for us and is now being premiered around the world.
Christmas
Safeguarding policy now in place as we work more with children and thanks to Virginia for pulling this
together.
Great sign up for Singing Day again. Friendly welcome, hospitality always commented on. Greatly
conducted by Neil as always.
Visions of Heaven from Vicar of Dibley to Spem in Alium. Jonathon Dove was a highlight for many in
the Choir, there was something for everyone in this concert. Glad to have Jeff accompany us on this
concert and show us his skill on the organ again.
50% of Choir went on tour to Edinburgh, where there was a wide variety of music from our
repertoire. O radiant Dawn was new to us and Scottish and again a new favourite.
Final concert was in the Monastery Gorton, Tippett, and Zimbe – Bradshaw Hall superb.
Being encouraged to move and clap, was fun and a challenge! Again great to have the composer here.
Very encouraging and very complimentary.
Finally, opportunity to give a grant to intermezzo from Costa Rica very worthwhile to be able to help
forward music.
Moving to this year – Requiem for the Fallen
BuxteHude
Dream of Gerontius
Tour – Muster, Germany
Look forward to continuing what we enjoy so much, singing together and performing a wide range of
music.
5.
Musical Directors report
Neil started by recalling last season’s unusual beginning with 2 concerts on consecutive weekends –
with our carols and brass concert first. Neil said how he is continually delighted by how Choir tackles
music from Baroque era and do it with aplomb. Bach Christmas Oratorio stirred the same fire as with
Dixit Dominus. Neil wants to continue push the Choir to perform at the highest level and the choirs
response to articulation, phrasing was great. Baroque orchestra played with usual sensitivity.
Will Todd so different stylistically –Neil was pleased that we could flip coin so well. Really exciting to
commission a new piece and this one that merits wider performances. Its has been recorded already
so this will help spread word. Great to work with the RNCM ensemble and to have the composer with
us.
The week earlier we had the carol concert and cemented relationship with Bradshaw Hall, who were
fantastic and great to see lots of smiling faces.
To the Singing day - Beethoven Mass in C very underestimated work, good transitional piece and good
for Singing Day event. Lots of good singing and fellowship, soloists blended really well and thanks to
Jeff for fantastic for finger wiggling throughout the day.
March - glories of church music including incredible Spem. We worked very hard on diction, blend,
ensemble. Also Harris – Faire is the Heaven, and think we have new favourite composer in Jonathon
Dove. The recording does most of it justice but Neil felt does miss the live feel of Spem in the round.
Tour – wonderfully engaging memories of performances – especially at St Giles. Neil felt that the last
2 tours have shown that being prepared helps so much – pre- rehearsals have made a huge
difference. Fulfilling and enjoyable socially too!
Last concert - Zimbe– could see the smiley faces, feel the atmosphere – Alexander was inspirational
as band leader and also how he stepped in and took his lead to steer the performance. Terrific end to
season before hosting a lovely evening with the Costa Rican choir.
Neil is now embarking on his 10th year with the Choir– Tuesday evenings are a highlight of the week
and thanks were given to the Committee for all they bring and musical team – Jeff/Tim/Julia/Joe.
Neil gave his continued commitment to the Choir, he feels we would benefit from a few more men,
will continue to raise the bar, work more collaborations, stimulating and varied programmes, and
commissions. Continuing to strive for the highest possible standards.
6.
Treasurers report
John clarified his aim at the AGM was to seek to provide info on year past financially and seek
approval on end of year accounts.
Produced 3 page summary of the accounts holding the information of direct interest to choir
members.
1st Page – It has been a good year financially as well as singing – added around £5000 to reserves.
Reserves at end of year £25,000 and same in cash balances – better than anticipated.
2nd Page – Concert summary.
Overall concerts showed loss of £2,500 which was £2,000 better than budgeted so overall a positive
picture. Estimated that audiences over 4 concerts was around 1600 versus 1450 budgeted.
The main deficit came from the Bach and Will Todd which we knew had large cost base and predicted
loss, benefited from audience of nearly 400 versus 300.
Zimbe/Tippett around 1.3k under budget thought 550 audience only had 400.
Singing Day – thanks to Gillian, good profit of £1800, largely offsets the loss on concerts.
3rd Page – Pie Chart showing distribution of revenue. 2/3rds of our income comes from our Subs and
Gift Aid. Other items are very important to the “cake” – next biggest items Singing Day and Cheshire
Consort £1,700 thanks to Sue for organising and for all those who give up their time.
Other significant items 100 club and friends and Music Hire and the work Gwyneth always working
hard to maximise this work.
Thanks to any of those who raise money to the choir – particularly Rhiannon CDs, and all those small
and large contributions gratefully received from hard work members put in.
Thanks to Sylvia and Nick for managing the cash and taking it to the Bank etc. And to Steve Bluck for
his work as our independent Financial Examiner and gives us valuable financial insight.
In conclusion – well placed to fund future activities. Neil has alluded to further collaborations,
possible BWH concert – this gives us possibilities to this.
Budgeting £5,000 loss over next season through challenging programme – Buxtehude/Bach concert
audience 250 but costs a lot to perform. We will also incur costs for Costa Rican concert and Poynton
Festival in September. We are well placed, but keep up selling tickets – can’t afford to be complacent.
Approval for annual accounts – approved by Choir
Thanks was given to John by Andrea for being tremendous influence on Andrea over last time as
Chair. We know we are safe with John which is a really good feeling to have.
Questions
Did we give anything to Bradshaw Hall for these concerts? – Peter Farrington. We are giving CD’s and
help with Coach movement etc for Zimbe
Geoff – Cheshire consort – Message from Cheshire Consort – make sure note perfect for Rutter on the
day. Huge thank you for grant made their visit possible may not have gone ahead without it.
Can we avoid word loss – describe as cost to put on the experience.
4.
Committee appointment
Chair – Andrea Millington – approved and seconded - Ursula Birkett/Geoff Taylor
Vice Chair – Cath Bryant – – approved and seconded - Andrea/Jean
Secretary – Jacqui Smith – – approved and seconded - Eric/Dave Robson
Treasurer – John Slater – – approved and seconded - Brian/ Geoff Taylor
Alto Rep – Anthea Slater – – approved and seconded - Lorraine/Sylvia Glover
Tenor Rep – Stephen Graham – – approved and seconded - Eric/Paul Mummery
Soprano Rep - Gillian Banks – – approved and seconded - Jo Bluck/ Denra Holland
Bass Rep – David Morris – – approved and seconded - Geoff/Chris Shelley.
Ticket Secretary – Dave Francis – – approved and seconded - Pam Craig/Jackie Burfitt.
Concert Secretary – – approved and seconded - Kate Fuggle – Alan/Ursula
Publicity Officer –– approved and seconded - Jean Egerton – Andrea/Brian
Librarian – Gwyneth Pailin –– approved and seconded - Sylvia/Jean
Stage Manager – Anne Francis – – approved and seconded - Cath/Andrea
Assistant Stage Mgr – Jo Garbutt – – approved and seconded - Gillian/Gwyneth
Rebecca White – minister without portfolio – Kate Atherton willing and able to support – as with
Singing Day refreshments
Propose for Auditor that Steve continues to act as independent examiner – approved – Geoff/Ursula
5.
Open Ideas Forum
Reynold – continue to consider the “kit” e.g. not all black – dark blue or maroon top.
Peter – thank you to all those who brew up and wash up at tea break. Thanks for continuing to
support. Thanks to Peter for doing it so valiantly.
Geoff – dress at Christmas concert, when was at Stockport Town Hall we tinselled up. Now at
SGStockport not as definite halves to concert, not sure that as appropriate – to be considered.
Half a dozen feel the same way – can we split the concert differently.
Section Reps to gauge views and bring back to committee
Linda Campbell – what is realistic scope for Choir members to input into programme suggestions.
Neil said - Don’t be afraid to come forwards, some of the programme for next season came from
Choir suggestions, can’t guarantee they will be taken up that’s all.
Eric – making a bid to heritage council and lottery fund in Preston area – minster – to include
combination of ourselves and choir their - mentioned Jonathon Dove as commission possibility.
Eric to send details
Reynold – programme called the Choir. This has been progressed and have some information in
terms of how to progress this.
Geoff – David Ramirez – keen that we tour to Costa Rica – cost over £1000 and when go. Who
would be keen to go – show of hands – who would be interested to go. Good show of hands.
Sarah – When go on tour – contact local music depts./universities and give a small amount of free
tickets.
Nenderski – St luke passion – suggested piece for future
6.
AOB
Thanks to Jeff for his continued support particularly for Visions of Heaven concert.
The meeting closed at 8:26 pm.