GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Registered a5 a Charty No.
1026337
President: Sir David Willcocks, CBE, MC
000
V.V.V.V
Conductor: Jeremy Backhouse
Accompanist: Jeremy Filsell
Chairman: John Trigg, 13 Vicarage Gate, Onslow Village, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 70 & 01483 566341
Secretary: Miranda Champion, End House, West Flexford Lane, Wanborough, Surrey, GU3 2JW
Treasurer: Bob Cowell, | Penhurst, Shores Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4HP.
& 01483 810817
& & B01483 770896
Membership Sec: Noreen Ayton, 51 Garrick Close, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KT12 SNZ & 01932 221918
Guildford Philharmonic Choir Annual General Meeting
will be held on Monday June 20" 2005 at 7:30pm at Christchurch Hall, Waterden Road, Guildford
immediately following a buffet meal
Agenda
1.
Apologies For Absence
2.
Minutes of the Previous Annual General Meeting
Held on Monday June 21% 2004 at 7:30pm at Christchurch Hall, Waterden Road, Guildford
Consideration and adoption of the minutes, if agreed as a correct record
3.
Chairman’s Report
4.
Conductor's Report
5.
Treasurer's Report and Presentation of the Accounts
Consideration and adoption of the accounts, if agreed as a correct record
6.
Election of Officers: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary
The retiring officers are listed on the Choir's letterhead above, and all are standing for re-election. Nominations must be
received in writing, duly proposed and seconded, including confirmation of the nominee’s willingness to stand, by Monday
June 13" 2005. A form for this purpose has been posted on the Choir's notice board.
At his sole discretion, the Chairman may accept additional nominations up to the time ofthe election.
7.
Election of Additional Committee Members
Neither more than eight nor less than four additional committee members are to be elected.
The following are the retiring Additional Committee Members: Jackie Alderton, Rachel Edmondson, Stephen Jepson, Alison
Rawlinson, Michael Taylor, and Hilary Trige.
Nominations must be received in writing, duly proposed and seconded,
including confirmation of the nominee’s willingness to stand, by Monday June 13" 2005.
A form for this purpose has been
posted on the Choir's notice board.
At his sole discretion, the Chairman may accept additional nominations up to the time of the election.
8.
Appointment of Conductor
Jeremy Backhouse has indicated his willingness to continue.
9.
Appointment of Accompanist
Jeremy Filsell has indicated his willingness to continue.
10. Appointment of Independent Examiner Of The Accounts
11. Change of Choir's Name
A vote by the Choir members present to officially change the working name to Vivace Chorus
12. Any Other Business
Which must have been notified to, and accepted by, the Chairman, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting
12.1
Date of the next Annual General Meeting
12.2
Draw for two free concert tickets - from responses to audience questionnaires
AGM Agenda 2005.06.20doc
Website: www.GuildfordPhilharmonicChoir.org.uk
E-mail: Chairman... Secretary.. Treasurer.. Membership..@GuildfordPhilharmonicChoir org.uk
GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Registered as a Chanty No.
1026337
President: Sir David Willcocks, CBE, MC
Conductor: Jeremy Backhouse
Accompanist: Jeremy Filsell
Chairman: John Trigg, 13 Vicarage Gate, Onslow Village, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 70.)
Secretary: Miranda Champion, End House, West Flexford Lane, Wanborough, Surrey,
Treasurer: Bob Cowell, 1 Penhurst, Shores Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4HP.
&
&
Membership Sec: Noreen Ayton, 51 Garrick Close, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey,
& 01483 566341
GU3 2JW
& 01483 810817
1483 770896
KT12 SNZ
& 01932 221918
Guildford Philharmonic Choir Annual General Meeting
on Monday June 20" 2005 at 7:30pm at Christchurch Hall, Waterden Road, Guildford
Minutes
Apologies For Absence
Apologies received from: Gemma Allred, Peter Andrews, Marion Arbuckle, Alan Batterbury, Penny Baxter, Iris
Bennett, Bob Bromham, Mary Broughton, Tony Bundy, Elaine Chapman, Andrea Dombrowe, Mike Dudley, Val
Garrow, Susan Hinton, Jean Munro, Max New, Rachel Owen, Chris Peters, Rosalind Plowright, Catherine
Shacklady, Maureen Shortland, Maggie Smith, Alex Stevens, Jane Sweaney, Hilary Trigg, Pamela Woodroffe.
.
Minutes Of The 2004 Annual General Meeting
*
Minutes had been circulated prior to the meeting.
*
Minutes were signed as a true record and copies placed on file.
3.
Chairman’s Report
*
AGM Changes
We have changed the arrangements for the AGM this year, with a finger buffet preceding the main
business. Thanks to those who organised this and to those who contributed the food and served the wine.
Members’ views on the new format is requested.
2004-2005 Concert Season
We have
had another successful musical season.
Thanks go to Jeremy Backhouse for enjoyable
rehearsals, resulting in excellent performances that have left us feeling uplifted and inspired
Audiences have been delighted by the works we have done. Many messages are received from a wide
area, following performances.
Latest concert in the Contemporary Choral Classics Cycle - The Armed
Man - was a triumph. A large number of people made positive comments, some remarking that they had
never been to such a good concert.
was
One person commented that our performance of The Armed Man
better than one he had heard conducted
by the composer himself.
We had an audience of
approximately 600, which was our largest audience of the season, but the cathedral could hold 1,100 and
there are still lots of people missing hearing us sing.
being full
Christmas Concert:
most enjoyable in recent years.
were appreciative of our efforts.
We continue to lose money due to the cathedral not
Pleasant to sing at Holy Trinity Church and Rotary
It was suggested that we go to the Guildhall for wine and mince pies in
the interval at the 2005 concert.
Rebranding Of The Choir
Last year it was agreed that we would re-brand the choir.
One year later a great deal has happened,
thanks to the task group, Gemma Alired, James Garrow, Hilary Trigg, John Britten and Miranda
Champion. Our new name is Vivace Chorus. This is our working title, although the registered name is still
Guildford Philharmonic Choir. There are two main reasons why we need to keep the GPC name: a) when
the choir visits Freiburg a grant will only be issued to the Freiburg Bach Chor if singing with the GPC and
b) we want to retain ownership of the name so that no-one else can use it. We will be known as Vivace
Chorus but retain the registered name of Guildford Philharmonic Choir.
Lots of people had various opinions about the change of name and re-branding but it was felt that the
working group did a professional job, consulting with the members at each stage in the process.
The
Chairman felt he had to be impartial about the project but is delighted with the outcome. We now need to
re-invigorate ourselves to turn ourselves into a much more organised and professional body to live up to
our new name and identity.
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AGM Minutes 2005.06.20.doc
Members of the various re-branding working groups then outlined their activities:
Internal Committee - led by James Garrow.
*
*
Thanks to the 9 members who have joined him on the group with good ideas
Objective is to improve the internal communication of the choir to ensure all are aware of
developments, and to take a look at the social side of the Choir.
+
Vivace Voicemail (the newsletter) seeks to make the choir more enjoyable for its members.
for the newsletter is required from all members.
*
Input
The team is considering a buddy system for new members to ensure an effective induction into the
choir;
«
Fundraising activities, including Call My Quaff, auction of promises, quiz night, music trips to
London or Brighton, Christmas social event (possibly with Jeremy Filsell playing for us), family fun
day on the canal, cricket match against another choir.
We need to understand the level of support
of the membership for such activities, as some people are more interested in these events than
others.
*
A 1-day singing school after the summer break is a possibility.
membership via a questionnaire on this subject.
*
*
We will seek feedback from the
The aim is to get 160 singing members in the choir.
Anyone interested in joining this team should contact James Garrow.
Events Team - led by John Britten
«
Duties have been allocated to team members on various subjects.
These include:
researching whether programmes can be made up in time to get them to the audience before
the concert;
*
concerts outside Guildford - we are already singing at St. Martins in the Fields and Fairfield Halls
and we are seeking expand our concert venues;
pre- and post-concert introductions;
possibly 30 or 40 minutes of pre-concert talk before some concerts;
post-concert parties to meet orchestra and conductor on some occasions;
front-of-house activities could be more formalised;
interval refreshments - refectory works well but could be improved:;
possible cushion hire;
co-operation with other choirs to ensure no clashes of dates and music;
recording some performances;
solution to the rigging and de-rigging issue.
Awareness team - led by Hilary Trigg.
*
Hilary Minor spoke on Hilary Trigg's behalf.
This team is investigating:
singing around the locality, for example: carols at Tesco, Sainsbury's and Godalming Waitrose;
summer singing at Wisley for the National Gardens Scheme; Guildford High Street during
summer festival; Woking; Farnham.
*
Unaccompanied repertoire by balanced smaller groups, singing for Chase.
Both parties would
However, there are potential problems with this, namely repertoire, availability of
members, rehearsal, weather, someone to conduct on the day.
Chase would be delighted if
benefit.
Vivace would be the “Chase” choir.
«
Grant funding requires choir to be attractive and relevant to a wider community.
We are anxious to
attract a younger audience and one way of doing this is to offer them participation.
We have
already had a young choir to sing the Mahler with us, but it would be nice to sing with a local youth
choir. - Rodborough school and St. Peter school hold singing lessons and could contribute singers.
There is also Surrey Youth Choir.
Guildford County has achieved Music College status and they
+
are interested in going beyond their normal boundaries. Woking High School has a good orchestra.
We should consider including ethnic minorities. Involving Woking mosque in the Call to Prayer in
The Armed Man was wonderful. We could do a work like the African Sanctus and a black gospel
choir has been identified, who could join us.
Brenda Rattray is inspirational and could lead a
workshop.
All stakeholders would gain: choir, charity, ethnic minorities, children, etc.
*
Publicity: Elizabeth Yates spoke on this subject.
This team’s aim is to have Vivace be the first
chorus that comes to mind in the Guildford area, to be the choral group of choice for corporate
*
We have connections with Evening Standard and Surrey Advertiser, the latter having conducted an
*
Ouraimis: Think Choral Music - Think Vivace;
groups, orchestras, soloists, schools, colleges and singers.
interview with Jeremy Backhouse.
Like Choral Music - Love Vivace!
Acquisition Team - led by Bob Cowell.
*
The primary objective of the team is to investigate ways of increasing our audiences.
Page20f5
AGM Minutes 2005.06.20.doc
¢
The new website is under development and will be maintained, primarily, by Chris Peters although
update access will be available to individuals with specific areas of responsibility. The web address
is www.vivacechorus.org but this currently routes to the old GPC site. Members of the committee
with specific responsibilities requiring contact have new Vivace email addresses. For instance
treasurer@vivacechorus.org. Other addresses include chairman, publicity, mailing, membership,
secretary, patrons and tickets ...@vivacechorus.org.
«
We maintain a mailing list, which enables us to broadcast our message. We are in the process of
investigating sources of additional names and would welcome any specific names, addresses and
e-mail addresses from members of the choir. Please e-mail mailing@vivacechorus.org. We also
gain new names through the questionnaires left at concerts.
*
In the meantime, Philip Stanford is ensuring that websites that carry concert information carry our
concert details.
The team is also tasked with providing articles for local papers and reviewing concert venues and
possible variations of concert format and anything which
increasing our audiences and the profile of the Choir.
leads to our primary objectives of
Thank You's
*
The Chairman continued by thanking people who have done so much for the choir, of whom we are happy
to report that there is an increasing number.
Jeremy Backhouse is a wonderful leader, Jeremy Filsell is an
Thanks to Prue Smith for audition accompaniment, thanks to all members of the
committee, and to Michael Taylor for selling tickets. Thanks were expressed to Christine Medlow for library
work, Lesley Scordellis and Hilary Minor for writing submissions for sponsorship
excellent accompanist.
We have decided that we will continue to use the Sanctuary at the Methodist Church to rehearse.
Conductor’s Report
2004-2005 Season Review — Dream Of Gerontius Concert
*
«
Itwas great to revisit such a masterpiece and soloists were wonderful
Forest Philharmonic is an excellent orchestra.
They are committed to our concerts and enjoy playing with
us.
2004-2005 Season Review — Mayor’s Christmas Concert
s
The choir does really well at a capella singing.
*
Holy Trinity is a great venue and good acoustically.
2004-2005 Season Review - Italian Inspirations
*
Ave Maria by Donizetti was a little gem
e
Verdi's Pater Noster went very well.
We communicated the music well with the audience and the
dynamics were well observed.
*
*
Rossini's Stabat Mater had a good line up of soloists although on occasions the orchestra was too loud.
Positive feedback on the programme itself - the audience felt it gelled and flowed well and the audience
liked the selection of music.
2004-2005 Season Review — Contemporary Choral Classics Cycle 1st Concert
*
Vaughan Williams is not straightforward but it was well performed.
*
The Karl Jenkins work, The Armed Man, was not exciting to rehearse but it works well in performance and
it is a dramatic and arresting piece.
Having the Muezzin made a great difference.
performance even though the orchestra was too loud on occasions.
problem and will work with the orchestra to manage this.
It was an exciting
The conductor is aware of this
Future Concerts
*
We have an exciting programme for next year of Hymns and Psalms, Pillars of Baroque and Trials and
Tribulations.
*
The Francis Pott work deserves a lot more exposure and by performing the work, Vivace Chorus will be
helping with that.
Thank You's
*
Thanks to John Trigg and the Committee, and to the re-branding committee.
This has involved much more
work than the conductor ever envisaged at the re-branding launch, and it is fantastically exciting.
*
Thanks to Jeremy Filsell - he is a great friend and a great musician and the choir is very fortunate to have
him with us.
In a year of change the quality of performances has remained consistently high — the choir is like a chamber
choir of 100 people.
The conductor can now rely on the choir to interpret well his musical ideas and to follow
his lead during performances.
5. Treasurer’s Report & Presentation Of Accounts
A copy of the Treasurer's Report and the Accounts is on file.
Full copy of report appended to these minutes
Page 30f 5
AGM Minutes 2005.06.20.doc
Concerts alone made a loss of £10,927 over the year, due to not selling sufficient tickets.
The Contemporary Choral Classics Cycle concert next year will be extremely expensive, over £30,000.
The
Philharmonia Orchestra will accompany the choir.
They have performed the work before and using a
professional orchestra is in line with Vivace's aspirations.
The choir has been building up funds to put on
expensive concerts like this one.
Thanks to independent examiner, Janet James, for auditing the accounts.
Roger Barrett proposed that the accounts be adopted, Chris Robinson seconded and accounts
were duly
adopted.
6.
«
Election of Officers: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer & Membership Secretary
Officers were nominated, proposed and seconded via a Nomination Form which is held on file
*
Votes were unanimous, with no abstentions.
*
Elections were as follows: Chairman — John Trigg; Secretary — Miranda Champion; Treasurer — Bob
Cowell:
Membership Secretary — Noreen Ayton
N
Election of Additional Committee Members
Additional Committee Members were nominated, proposed and seconded via a Nomination Form which
is
held on file.
Votes were unanimous, with no abstentions.
Elections were as follows: Jackie Alderton; James Garrow; Stephen Jepson; Alison Rawlinson; Michael
Taylor; Rosie Storey; Hilary Trigg.
Rachel Edmondson stood down but will continue to help with fund-raising by serving interval
drinks in
rehearsals.
2
Appointment of Conductor
All were in favour of appointing Jeremy Backhouse
9.
Appointment of Accompanist
*
Allwere in favour of appointing Jeremy Filsell.
10. Appointment Of Independent Examiner Of Accounts
*
Janet James was proposed by Bob Cowell, seconded by John Trigg, with all in favour.
11. Change Of Choir's Name
*
There was an overwhelming majority to the proposal to change the choir's name to Vivace Chorus for
purposes.
working
*
The registered name remains Guildford Philharmonic Choir.
e
There remain some members who do not feel positive about the new name but it was felt that membership
was consulted at each stage during the changes that have taken place.
12. Any Other Business
*
We only made a loss of £320 at the last concert.
*
No review of the last concert - we gave free tickets but unfortunately the article did not appear
in the press.
*
*
*
Publicity group will deal with press contact for future concerts.
Our membership will be 125 for the beginning next season and we need new members.
There was a suggestion from Mike Golden that we offered free membership to students.
Another suggestion was a concert from scratch, inviting students from local schools to come and sing with us.
Awareness group or Events group will take this on board.
*
Prize draw: the winner of the prize draw, Mr Boyt, had received his information about the concert
from the
Tourist Office
*
Date of next AGM is 26th June 2006
*
First rehearsal is 5th September 2005,
*
Meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.
Pagedof 5
AAGM Minutes 2005.06.20.doc
Annual General Meeting
20 June 2005
GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
(Registered Charity No.1026337)
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TM APRIL 2005
Report of the Hon. Treasurer
1
The report distributed to you is in a slightly different format to normal. This is to better match the requirements
of the Charity Commission. | have a copy of the notes referred to in the accounts and will pleased to answer
any questions at the end of my report. A full version of the accounts and report to the Charity Commission is
available for anyone to view.
2
This year we had a deficit of £1,850 against a surplus last year of £6,240. This is mainly due to concert losses
Income from tax refunds was little changed at around £3,180. The Borough increased its contribution to the
Choir from £2,560 to £2,620 in line with inflation. Income from Patrons and Friends was fractionally down to
£1,420
3
The Concert Sub-Account summary is as follows:Income
Expenditure
Russian Spectacular
£8,201
£11,817
Dream of Gerontius
£6,196
£11,090
Italian Inspirations
£9,039
£11,456
Profit/(Loss)
(£3,616)
(£4,834)
(£2,417)
The concert programme therefore had a deficit of £10,927(£3,149)
4
Fundraising activities made a profit of £1,226(£2,262)
The net fundraising proceeds were as follows: 100 Club
£564
Small Change
Drinks
Socials
Goods
£ 47
£172
£412
£31
Many thanks to all those involved
5
Looking to the future, the choir continues to be in a sound financial position with reserves slightly reduced at
£56,000 but we have an expensive time ahead. The rebranding of the Choir carries costs and £4,500 has
been allocated to the project. Next season, but in the 2006/7 financial year, we will be producing a very
expensive concert as year 2 of our Contemporary Choral Classics Cycle. Although financial support is being
sought, we will, inevitably, be digging into our reserves in order to produce this concert. We have been
growing our reserves for this very reason.
6
Finally, my thanks to Janet James for her work as Independent Examiner of the accounts. Janet has agreed to
be our Independent Examiner for the next financial year.
Bob Cowell, Hon.Treasurer, 20 June 2005
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