GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Registered as a Charity No. 1026337
CONSTITUTION
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1. TITLE
The Guildford Philharmonic Choir forms part of the music scheme of the Guildford Borough Council.
The name of the Choir shall be the Guildford Philharmonic Choir.
2. OBJECTS
To advance public education and appreciation of choral music in all its aspects in particular by the
presentation of public concerts and by other such means as the Committee shall determine in
consultation with Guildford Borough Council. In furtherance of the said objects but not further or
otherwise the Committee may exercise the following power: To provide a chorus for the Guildford
Philharmonic Orchestra.
3. MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Choir shall be those aged 18 years or over who pay the annual subscription at
the appropriate rate or rates as shall be determined by the Committee, all subscriptions being payable
in advance, and (in the case of performing members) who shall provide such evidence of musical ability
as the Chorus Master shall require.
4. PRESIDENT and VICE-PRESIDENT
The Choir may appoint a President and a Vice-President for a period of five years subject to
reappointment for similar or lesser periods thereafter.
5. COMMITTEE
a. The management of the Choir shall be in the hands of a Committee consisting of four officers (a
Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer and an Honorary Membership Secretary)
and four additional members. The Committee shall be elected by and out of the members of the
Choir at the Annual General Meeting.
b. Officers shall be elected to a specific office, shall hold that office for one year and shall be eligible for
re-election provided that a member shall not hold the office of Chairman for more than five
consecutive years. In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in any office during the year the
Committee shall appoint one of their number to act in that capacity until the next Annual General
Meeting.
c. Additional members shall hold office for one year and be eligible for re-election provided that the
additional member who has served for the longest continuous period shall not be eligible for reelection as an additional member for the following year if that period is at least three complete years.
Should there be more than one member ineligible for re-election under this rule, the retiring member
shall be decided by agreement amongst those concerned or in default of agreement as the outgoing
Chairman in his/her absolute discretion shall decide.
d. The Committee may co-opt members of the Choir to the Committee to fill vacancies or to assist the
Committee when required.
e. In addition the members of each voice part shall from time to time elect a Part Representative who
will report to the Membership Secretary. A Committee member shall not also serve as a Part
Representative.
6. CHORUS MASTER and ACCOMPANIST
The appointment of Chorus Master is made on an annual basis by the Guildford Borough Council on
the recommendation of the Choir. The Accompanist is appointed on an annual basis by the Choir on
the recommendation of the Chorus Master. Neither the Chorus Master nor the Accompanist shall be a
member of the Choir.
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7. MANAGEMENT
The management of the Choir and the control of finance shall be in the hands of the Committee, whilst
Guildford Borough Council shall be kept fully informed. Guildford Borough Council may send a
representative to Committee meetings. Minutes shall be kept of all Committee meetings and a copy
lodged with the Guildford Borough Council.
8. FINANCE
a. The financial year shall end on April 30th.
b. A banking account shall be held in the name of the Guildford Philharmonic Choir and cheques shall
be signed by any two Committee members who have been nominated to the Bank.
c. The Choir may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees. Tickets for any or all of its
concerts and other events shall be offered for sale to the public.
d. The income and property of the Choir shall be applied solely towards promoting the objects of the
Choir as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly
to any member or members of the Choir except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf
of the Choir.
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9. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Within six weeks of the end of each financial year the members of the Choir shall be summoned to an
Annual General Meeting of which at least fourteen days notice in writing shall have been given.
10. ACCOUNTS
The financial accounts shall be prepared by the Honorary Treasurer, independently examined and
presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting at which time an Independent Examiner shall
be appointed for the forthcoming year.
11. DISSOLUTION
In the event of the Choir being wound up any assets remaining upon dissolution after payment of
proper debts and liabilities shall be transferred to a charitable institution or institutions having similar
objects to those of the Choir.
12. AMENDMENTS
a. Subject to (b) below, the Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of members present
at an Annual or Special General Meeting, provided that fourteen days notice of the meeting and the
proposed amendments have been sent to all members and provided that nothing therein contained
shall authorise any amendment which shall have the effect of the Choir ceasing to be a charity.
b. The OBJECTS of the Choir shall not be amended without the prior approval of Guildford Borough
Council.
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Constitution adopted April 26th 1993. Clauses 5 & 10 amended June 3rd 1996.
Guildford Philharmonic Choir
c/o Guildford Philharmonic Office
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Guildford
Surrey GU2 5BB
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