Unconfirmed
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at 7.30pm on Monday 22 September 2003 in the Farnsworth Hall, Chesterton Community College, Gilbert Road, Cambridge.
1. Election of Chairman of AGM
In the absence of the President of the Society, David White was elected as Chairman of the AGM for 2003.
2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Sir David Willcocks (President), Tim Brown, Mary-Rose Clark, Graeme Jenkins, Raymond Leppard, Hugh Macdonald, Robin Orr, Russell Keable, Matthew Rowe, four members of the committee and eight members of the Society.
3. Minutes of the 2002 AGM
The minutes of the AGM held on Monday 24 September 2002 were approved and adopted.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Secretary’s report
As the Secretary had been unavoidably delayed on the train, the Treasurer spoke on her behalf.
The Secretary said that she was looking forward to the appointment of the new Chorus master, which she felt was an exciting and positive development for the Society.
She expressed her delight at the extension of Martin’s contract, and thanked him for the enormous amount or work that he had put in through the course of the year.
She informed the members that a new chairman, John de Bruyne, had been chosen, following the decision of Andy Swarbrick to stand down after ten years. She gave thanks to Andy on behalf of all the members and extended a warm welcome to John de Bruyne.
She also thanked all the members of the society for their contribution in the past year.
6. Conductor’s Report
The conductor expressed his thanks to the members for choosing to extend his contract for a further three years, and congratulated them on another good year. The last year been the busiest in his time at the Philharmonic, with ten concerts; the orchestra involved in all, the choir in five. Memorable highlights were Mahler, Ninth Symphony, and Debussy, Nocturnes. The singing of Dvorak’s Stabat Mater was fantastic.
It had been an exceptional year for the choir, the best in his time with the Philharmonic, even the exceptionally difficult Lloyd Requiem had been successfully performed, though the Holst had been slightly disappointing. He said he was looking forward to appointing a new chorus master. He believed the choir had great potential, and that a chorus master would bring the choir to greater levels. It was hoped to fill the position as soon as possible.
It had not been the best of years for the orchestra. The conductor expressed his hope that the orchestra would attain the higher standards of earlier years in the forthcoming year.
The conductor expressed his thanks to Steve Bingham and Andrew Black, without whom he could not do the job. Thanks to Hilary Sturt and Stephanie Flack for leading concerts during Steve’s illness; and to Gerry Cornelius, Tim Redmond and Sarah MacDonald for taking rehearsals. Thanks to all the committee. Especial thanks to Chris Stewart for the quite exceptional work that she performed for the Society.
He closed by emphasising how much extra work the three extra concerts involved for the committee, and urged all members to contribute to the running of the Society in anyway they could.
7. Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer reported that the Society had just broken even in the year 2002-3 - the net surplus for the year was £1,644.
He drew attention to the following: the rehearsals had cost less than budgeted as had the auditions, owing to a change in the auditioning procedures for the choir. Subscription income and Gift Aid had received approximately £2,000 surplus.
The raffle had raised £3,500, which was sufficient to balance the books, but was less than had been hoped. Disappointing that a number of members had failed to sell their tickets. He explained a number of miscellaneous bills. Concert income was (£22,814) was approximately £1,500 lower than had been budgeted, which was disappointing The raffle and sundry income (coffee and choir raffles) had balanced the books. His thanks to Janeane Billinghurst for the sponsored swim; and to Sarah Willlingale and Paddy Smith for the raffle and sale of pencils..
He concluded that it had been a healthy year, but that if the Society was to reach its desired goal (official reserve equal to annual expenditure) a few good more years were needed.
A query from the member of the Society concerning rehearsal costs was explained.
A motion to adopt the accounts was proposed by Jan Moore and seconded by Vivian Williams. The motion was adopted.
8. Proposal to amend clause 11.1 of the constitution
The proposal was put to the vote and carried.
9. Appointment of Chairman of Society and Officers and Election of Committee
A nomination had been received for John de Bruyne to stand as Chairman, proposed by Chris Stewart and seconded by Andrew Morris. No other nominations had been received. John de Bruyne was therefore elected unopposed
It was noted that the Secretary was willing to stand for re-election for 2002-3. No new nominations had been received. The Secretary was therefore re-elected.
It was noted that the Treasurer was willing to stand for re-election for 2002-3. No new nominations had been received. The Treasurer was therefore re-elected.
It was noted that the following Committee members wished to stand down: Jenny Daffarn (Orchestral Secretary) and Emma Griffin (Orchestral Librarian). A nomination had been received for Rachel Dunlop to stand as Orchestral Secretary, proposed by Andrew Morris and seconded by Dan Alt. No other nominations had been received. Rachel Dunlop was therefore elected unopposed. A nomination had been received for John Richards to stand as Orchestral Librarian, proposed by Sarah Ridley and seconded by Anne McAleer. No other nominations had been received. John Richards was therefore elected unopposed.
All other Committee members were willing to stand for re-election for 2002-3. No new nominations had been received. The existing members were therefore re-elected.
10. Members’ annual subscriptions 2003/4 and election of auditors
10. i. Members annual subscriptions 2003-4
The Treasurer proposed increasing subscriptions to £85. He encouraged people to pay more than the fixed sum if they felt able since it made a big difference to the Society’s financial position. He emphasised that this rise was necessary because of consistently low ticket sales, and that this was excellent value working out less than £2 per rehearsal. His proposal was put to the vote and carried.
10. ii. Election of Auditors
It was proposed that Whitmarsh Sterland be requested to continue their role as inspectors of the Society’s accounts. The proposal was put to the vote and carried.
11. Any other business
11.i. It was explained by Jan Moore that in order to comply with tax relief regulations, members concessions were to be ended, and all ticket prices reduced to £10. Jan also expressed her thanks to all those who had helped to set up and steward at concerts.
11.ii. It was noted that there would be no fundraising events this year, owing to the extra contract concerts that had been organised in summer and autumn 2003.
11.iii. It was explained that a Christmas concert at Ely had become prohibitively expensive following a steep increase in the hire cost of the venue. Further that it was very difficult to fit a Christmas concert within the constraints of planning, and that a Christmas concert at Ely was unlikely in the near future.
11.iv. It was noted King’s College was difficult to book– but the Society would make every effort to continue to do so.
11.v. It was noted that Tattersalls, Newmarket, were keen to host a summer concert, and that the use of this venue would be considered.
11.vi. A member expressed her thanks for the excellent website.
11. vii. The Chairman ended the meeting.
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