Unconfirmed
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28 September 2004 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, Jan Moore was elected as Chairman of the AGM for 2004.
2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Sir David Willcocks (President), Tim Brown, Mary-Rose Clark, Graeme Jenkins, Raymond Leppard, Hugh Macdonald, Russell Keable, Steve Bingham, one member of the committee and 15 members of the Society.
3. Minutes of the 2002 AGM
The minutes of the AGM held on Monday 22 September 2003 were approved and adopted, subject to the following amendments:
Point 8 – to include full details of the proposal; and
Point 9 – to replace “2002-3” with “2003-4” throughout.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Secretary’s report
The Secretary commented that it had been another eventful year. A particular high point had been the Society's very successful exchange with the Brussels Choral Society.
She welcomed Chris Whitton, the newly-appointed Chorus Master, to the Society.
She also informed the members that the new chairman, John de Bruyne, had tendered his resignation; the Committee would be looking to find a new Chairman in the coming season.
Since she was not standing for re-election the Secretary took the opportunity to thank the many people who had provided help and support during her tenure, with apologies to those not mentioned by name for the sake of brevity. She thanked all the professional musicians, in particular Martin, and all the members of the committee past and present, with particular thanks to the Treasurers – Maggie Jones, Andrew Morris and Claire Lucas – to Jan Moore and to Jeremy Harmer. Lastly, she thanked all the members of the society for their contribution in the past year.
She finished with the wish that the Society would go from strength to strength in the future, commenting that it had been a pleasure and a privilege to be one of its custodians for the last six years.
6. Conductor’s Report
The conductor commented that it had been another busy year, with eight concerts involving the orchestra and seven for the choir. Starting with a fantastic concert for the Cambridge Water Company in King's the season had covered every type of music, ending with another memorable concert: the performance of Porgy and Bess at the Corn Exchange. The past season had also seen the Society working with guest conductors for two concerts - Michael Lloyd and Scott Stroman, the latter introducing the choir to some new music – and a number of other guests for rehearsals.
It had been an exceptional year for the choir, who had really pulled their concerts off, especially the Poulenc.
It had also been a good year for the orchestra, who had tackled some very hard works successfully, particularly the Wagner and the Tchaikovsky. A concerto appearance from Andrew Black had been long overdue, and the performance had been fantastic – he hoped there would be another opportunity for him to perform with the Society.
The conductor expressed his thanks to Steve Bingham and Andrew Black, who did so much to make his job easy, and to the Committee even though they made his job hard!
He closed by saying that he was looking forward to his seventh season with the Society just as much as the other six and thanked the Society for having him back.
7. Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer thanked her predecessor, Andrew Morris, for his help during the handover of the accounts, and other members of the committee for their help and support. She reported that the Society had made a surplus of more than £5,500, largely due to excellent ticket sales for the concert in Ely in November 2003. However, most concerts had failed to realise their budgeted ticket income, and members were reminded of the need to sell tickets for concerts. Subscriptions had brought in £1,800 more than budgeted. Despite the surplus, the reserve of £42,000 was still short of the coming season’s planned expenditure of £45,000. Ticket prices were to be raised for the new season.
A member asked about investment arrangements for the Society’s reserves, and was assured by the Treasurer that alternatives would be investigated during the coming season.
A motion to adopt the accounts was proposed by Jan Moore and seconded by Chris Stewart. The motion was adopted.
8. Appointment of Chairman of Society and Officers and Election of Committee
It was noted that the position of Chairman was currently vacant and no nominations had been received. The Committee's intention to co-opt a new Chairman during the coming season was also noted.
It was noted that the current Secretary wished to stand down. A nomination had been received for Rachel Dunlop to stand as Secretary, proposed by Mary Hancock and seconded by Jan Moore. No other nominations had been received. Rachel Dunlop was therefore elected unopposed. It was noted that the new Secretary was about to start maternity leave and that the Committee's intention was to co-opt Chris Stewart as Acting Secretary until Rachel Dunlop was able to take up the post.
It was noted that the Treasurer was willing to stand for re-election for 2004-5. No new nominations had been received. The Treasurer was therefore re-elected.
It was noted that Jeremy Harmer (Publicity Officer) wished to stand down. A nomination had been received for Angela Bennet to stand for this post, proposed by Alice Parr and seconded by Caroline Jestaz. No other nominations had been received. Angela Bennett was therefore elected unopposed. It was noted that Rachel Dunlop's election as Secretary meant she must necessarily stand down as Orchestral Secretary. No other nominations had been received for this post, which would therefore remain vacant. Members of the orchestra were urged to consider standing for this key committee post.
All other Committee members were willing to stand for re-election for 2004-5. No new nominations had been received. The existing members were therefore re-elected.
9. Members’ annual subscriptions 2004-5 and election of auditors
9. i. Members annual subscriptions 2004-5
The Treasurer proposed that, taking into account the planned fundraiser, the subscription be frozen at £85. She 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. She also emphasised that in order to make the Society's books balance without increasing the subscription members would be expected to sell as many tickets as possible, and to throw themselves behind the fundrasing events. The proposal was put to the vote and carried.
The Treasurer highlighted the fact that subscriptions are due to be paid within four weeks of the AGM and urged members to pay promptly.
9. 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.
10. Any other business
10.i. It was noted that the CDs of the Brussels concert had been delayed; they were expected to be ready shortly.
10.ii. It was noted that the anti-clash diary was no longer being run by the city council, although there had been some talk or reviving it.
10.iii. Jan Moore thanked all those who had helped shift furniture and otherwise assist on concert days. She also explained that she would not continue in the job of Concerts Manager for much longer and that a Deputy was therefore sought to ensure smooth succession planning. Anyone interested should get in touch with her to discuss this informally.
10.iv. It was noted that the Committee always welcomed suggestions for fundraisers. For the forthcoming garden party, any members with connections who might be able to offer a suitable garden were asked to email Jan Moore.
10.v. It was noted that a tour to Prague was still a possibility, but was now being considered for the 2006-7 season, as part of the University anniversary celebrations.
10.vi. The possibility of a Hungarian exchange was also noted.
10.vii. It was noted that the suggested repeat of the Jazzmass concert was now unlikely to take place during the London Jazz Week but a large-scale performance (possibly including a new work by Scott Stroman) was still a possibility.
10. viii. The Chairman ended the meeting.
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