GUILDFORD
PHILHARMONIC
CHOIR
Registered as a Charity no. 1026337
CONSTITUTION
Adopted 26th April 1993
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 such other 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
PRESIDENTand VICE-PRESIDENT
The Choir may appoint a President and a Vice-President for a period of five years subject to
reappointment for simular or lesser periods thereafter.
5
OFFICERS and COMMITTEE
The management of the Choir shall be in the hands of a Committee consisting of four officers: Chairman,
Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary, and four additional members. The Committee shall be
elected by and out of the Choir’s members at the Annual General Meeting. Officers shall be elected for
specific posts.
The Committee shall be able to co-opt additional members of the Choir onto the
Committee to fill vacancies and to assist the Committee when required. In addition, the members of each
voice part shall elect a Part Representative who is not a Committee member but will report to the
Membership Secretary.
Committee members shall hold office for one year and be eligible for re-election, with the exception that
the two Committee members who have served for the longest continuous period shall not be eligible for
re-election, but this shall not apply when the period is less than three complete seasons. Should there be
more than two members qualitying tor retirement under this ruie, the two retiring members shall be
decided by agreement amongst those concerned.
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 Chour.
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.
representative to Committee meetings.
Guildford Borough Council may send a
Minutes shall be kept of all Committee meetings and a copy
lodged with the Guildford Borough Council.
8
FINANCE
1)
The financial year shall end on 30th April.
11)
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
iil)
The Choir may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees. Tickets for any or all of
iV)
The income and property of the Choir shall be applied solely towards promoting the objects of the
its concerts and other events shall be offered for sale to the public.
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.
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
AUDITED ACCOUNTS
The financial accounts shall be audited and submitted to the members at the Annual General Meeting, at
which time an Auditor shall be appointed for the forthcoming year.
¥
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
1)
AMENDMENTS
Subject to 11) 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 has 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.
ii)
The Objects of the Choir shall not be amended without the prior approval of Guildford Borough
Council.
Guildford Philharmonic Office
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Guildford
Surrey.
GU25BB
MJ - 26.09.93