CHEPSTOW CHORAL SOCIETY
Minutes of a Meeting of the Committee held at Pendle on 18th November 2008 at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Eric Taylor (in the Chair)
Doug Lawrence (DL)
Roger Martin (RM)
Marjorie Duerden (MD)
Jean Parkes (JP)
Janet Ellard (JE)
Meriel Beeden
Sarah Whitehead (SW)
Introductory Matters
The Chairman being present took the Chair and welcomed members to the meeting. Apologies were received from Graham Bull and Angela Templar.
Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of last meeting were approved as a true record.
Matters arising
The following matters arose:
lining up and processing on will require the support of choir members. It will need to be practised;
choir uniform: all black is favoured by the sopranos. The matter needs to be progressed via a working group;
staging hire will not be needed for the Christmas or Spring 2009 concert but may be an issue for the summer concert;
Tesco's has been booked for 16th December. There will be a collection for charity;
56.4 it was considered not cost effective to reprint the trifold at a cost of £400.
Christmas 2008
The concert will start at 7.30 p.m. with an interval of 10 minutes. The ticket price was agreed at £7 to include a free programme and children admitted without charge. Preliminary costings are £150 for the church, £150 for the organist; £125 for the soloist who will perform three solo pieces and one with the choir; £100 for printing; £20 for gifts. The anticipated profit is £600.
There will be a rehearsal in the church on the Tuesday evening and at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday in the church. There will be the usual Wednesday evening rehearsal.
Arrangements have been made with Wyedean School choir to participate and perform four items.
Following concerts
The Spring concert will be held on 29th March 2009 and the summer concert on 27th June. rehearsals will continue until mid-July. This could be an opportunity to build up repertoire items.
Preliminary costings for the Spring concert are £150 for the church, £300 for two soloist; £175 for the organist and £150 for printing. The cost of flowers will need to be added. The ticket price was agreed at £10, including a programme.
For the June concert, preliminary costings are £150 for the church, £1,640 for the orchestra (18 players), £150 for printing. The cost of flowers and staging hire will need to be added. There will no soloists. The ticket price was agreed at £10.
AGM and SGM
The minutes of the AGM (with one amendment) and SGM held in October were noted.
Treasurer's report
62 subscriptions have been paid.
Cash balances are:
cash in hand £406.50
current account £1,959.41
Deposit £7,000
Grants will be applied for. The choir has been able to give a small subsidy for the costs of sheet music. The increase in the number of Patrons has boosted income.
Membership Secretary's report
JP gave a summary of the membership and reported on how the new system of forms was working. The choir has 37 patrons.
Secretary's report
WAMF is changing its name to "Ty Cerdd – Music Centre Wales". Forms had been received and passed to the Treasurer.
Dates of next meetings for the year
The following dates with an indication of special business were agreed:
January 13th (to report on the Christmas concert and plan for the March concert)
March 3rd (final planning for Spring and report on planning for June)
May 12th (start planning for the 09/10 season)
July 14th (planning for the AGM and the start of year letter to go to members)
September 15th.
AOB
The possibility of giving a concert in October / early November was discussed. A light programme of say 30 minutes could be performed (and used in part to promote forthcoming concerts). The Drill Hall might be a possible venue. It could also be a social event for choir members, guests and patrons.
Dianne Royal has thanked the choir for her get well card;
John Rutter will be holding a workshop for choirs in the Albert Hall in the summer next year. If of interest to enough members a trip could be organised More information is required. Members will be sounded out as to whether there is interest.
Conclusion
There was no further business and the meeting concluded. MD was thanked for her hospitality.