= 9 (GFJ
GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Registored as a Charity No.
1026337
President: Sir David Willcocks, CBE, MC.
0000
Accompanist: Jeremy Filsell
E\a'a'd
Conductor: Jeremy Backhouse
v .U ® \/® \
Chairman: John Trigg, 13 Vicarage Gate, Onslow Village, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7Q). & 01485 566341,
Secretary: Stephen Jepson, Clereholt, Felday Glade, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey, RHs 6PG. B & 8 01506 750585.
Treasurer: Bob Cowell, s Penhurst, Shores Road, Woking, Surrey, GUz1 4HP. B & B
o483 770896,
Membership Sec: Noreen Ayton, 51 Garrick Close, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KTiz sNZ. & 01932 221018
NOTICE
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the CHOIR
will be held on Monday June 24TM 2002 at Christchurch Hall, Waterden Road, Guildford,
immediately following a buffet meal with wine at 7.30pm
AGENDA
1.
Apologies for absence
2.
Consideration of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Christchurch, Waterden
Road, Guildford on Monday June 25TM 2001, and, if agreed as a correct record, to adopt them.
3.
Chairman's Report.
4.
Conductor's Report
With programme of Concerts for the 2002-2003 Season and provisional dates for 2003-2004.
5.
Treasurer's Report and Presentation of Accounts. If agreed, the adoption of the Accounts.
6.
Election of Officers: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer & Membership Secretary.
The retiring officers are listed on the Choir's letterhead above. Nominations must be received
in writing, duly proposed and seconded, including confirmation of the nominee’s willingness to
stand, by Monday, June 17 2002. A suitable form has been posted on the Choir's Notice Board
for this purpose. At his sole discretion, the Chairman may accept additional nominations up to
the time of the election.
7.
Election of Additional Committee Members: Not more than eight nor less than four additional
committee members are to be elected.
The following are the retiring Committee Members: Jackie Alderton, Andrews,
Jo
Marion
Arbuckle, Alan Batterbury, Margaret Dentskevich, Rachel Edmondson, Mandy Freeman, Carol
Terry and Hilary Trigg. Underlined members are not 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 17" 2002. A suitable form has been posted on the Choir's
Notice Board for this purpose. At his sole discretion, the Chairman may accept additional
nnominations 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 Accounts.
11. Any Other Business
Which must have been notified to, and accepted by, the Chairman, at least 48hours prior to the
Meeting.
12.
Date of next AGM
Stephen Jepson, Hon Sec, June 8" 2002
AGM- Agenda2002-06-24 doc
Website: http://www.GuildfordPhilharmonicChoir org.uk
E-mail: Chairman...Secretary.. Treasurer.. Membership.. @GuildfordPhilharmonicChoir.org uk
Registered as a Charity No.
1026337
President: Sir David Willcocks, CBE, MC.
Conductor: Jeremy Backhouse
Accompanist: Jeremy Filsell
Chairman: John Trigg, 13 Vicarage Gate, Onslow Village, Guildford, Surrey, GUz 7Q).
B 01485 566541 or 825084
Secretary: Stephen Jepson, Clereholt, Felday Glade, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey, RHs 6PG.
& &5
01506 730585
Treasurer: Bob Cowell, 1 Penhurst, Shores Road, Woking, Surrey, GUzi 4HP.
B & € 01455 770896
Membership Sec: Noreen Ayton, 51 Garrick Close, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KTi2 sNZ. & o1932
221018
MINUTES of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the GUILDFORD
PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Held on Monday June 24th zo@at Christchurch Hall, Waterden
Road, Guildford at 7.30 pm
1. S eventy-one members attended the AGM.
Apologies for absence:
Jeremy Backhouse, Peter Andrews Marion Arbuckle, Iris Ball, Alan
Batterbury, Iris Bennett, Sara Dann, Carolyn Edis, Mandy Freeman,
Ingrid Hardiman, Les Harfield, Mike Jeffrey, Nick Manning, Gayle
Mayson, Alison Palmer and Alison Blenkinsop.
2. Minutes of the 2001 AGM were signed as a true record and a copy
placed on file.
3. Conductor’s Report: in the absence of Jeremy Backhouse, a copy of
the Conductor’s Report was read by Stephen Jepson and a copy placed
on file.
4.
«
Chairman’s report:
Orb & Sceptre concert - Jeremy Backhouse put a great deal of
personal effort into this concert although it was a Guildford Borough
Council event. After discussion with the Borough it was agreed that
Jeremy would conduct the concert and choose the soloists. The
concert was a very successful and well-attended event.
«
With reference to Jeremy Backhouse’s comments that GPC is a match
for the best of any choir in the country, the Chairman stated that his
daughter, who is a professional musician, had commented that in her
opinion the choir is of a similar standard to London Philharmonic.
This is thanks to the effective leadership and excellent tuition of
Jeremy B.
«
The Chairman thanked those who organised the meal earlier in the
evening, and Bob Cowell who had brought the wine over from France.
Thanks were also expressed to Jeremy Backhouse and Jeremy Filsell,
who make a tremendous contribution to the work of the choir and to
the enjoyment of Monday evening rehearsals; and to the committee for
their hard work - most people are not aware of the amount of work
they do to ensure the success of the concert organisation.
Special
mention to Gill Sharpe and Roger Penny for ticket sales, Christine
Medlow for doing such a good job as librarian, and Margaret
Dentskevich for the newsletter which has taken up hours of her time.
Margaret is leaving the committee but is willing to help her successor
in this role, and we need a volunteer to do this job.
Thanks to all
other people who do so many other things to ensure the success of the
choir.
This has been another successful year — the Chairman and his wife
Hilary sat in the audience for the Orb & Sceptre concert and it was of
a very high standard.
We do need to increase our audience size, not least from the financial
point of view. We can be more adventurous with the works we do if we
are financially successful.
The policy of the Choir is that if we decide
to do an expensive concert like the Mahler we budget for it
appropriately.
If we fill the cathedral and still lose £5k as per budget
this is acceptable, but if we have a much small audience than
budgeted for we are then under budget and risk getting into financial
difficulties.
It is also better for the choir to perform to a full audience.
Not all members are in attendance at this AGM and many of those who
are have been with the choir for a long time.
We do, however, have a
significant turnover of members (about 40%) each year.
Five years ago we were part of the GPS but we now have to be selfsufficient. When this new status first materialised, everyone made a
big effort and nearly filled the Civic Hall for our first “independent”
concert.
It is Choir policy to make up a financial reserve so that the
choir can continue to function as it has done in the past. We now
have such a reserve, but have reached a plateau, and when we did
Belshazzar’s Feast we sung to an audience of only approximately 350
people. We lost money on that concert, and we have had a number of
instances since then when the audience figures have been lower than
budgeted. We cannot allow this to continue and we need everyone to
publicise all our concerts and make a commitment to the choir to sell
as many tickets and they can.
Rehearsals are fun and Jeremy
Backhouse gets the best out of us, Jeremy Filsell is a wonderful
accompanist and the choir does sing and perform to a high standard,
but we must try harder to increase our support and decrease our
losses so that we can continue to perform to the same standard.
Dvorak Requiem - this has been chosen by the Freiburg choir and will
be sung with them in Freiburg, as well as at our concert on 26
October.
It is a wonderful piece of music, although it is not well-
known. We have arranged to play the Bruch Violin Concerto, soloist is
Chloe Hanslip aged 14, a local girl who is currently releasing a CD and
has been featured many times on Classic FM, she is playing at this
year’s proms, and this should attract a good audience.
Hopefully this
will make is easier for everyone to sell tickets.
«
We are saying goodbye to some members. June Windle is leaving for
two years, going to America for business purposes, and we hope she
will be back. Thanks were expressed to her for help with obtaining
recordings of the music we perform.
Ingrid Hardiman is moving to
Devon and will be leaving us. Joy Hunter is retiring from the choir.
Joy has been with the choir since 1964, and has done a lot for the
choir.
She was presented with a bouquet of flowers to thank her for
her dedication and commitment over the years. She thanked everyone
and told us that being a member had meant a great deal to her in her
life.
5. Treasurer’s Report.
A copy of the accounts was circulated and a
copy was placed on file.
«
Bob Cowell outlined what was involved in concert planning:
Stephen
Jepson has to book the cathedral two years ahead; Jeremy Backhouse
helps to prepare a programme of music, hire orchestra and soloists;
the orchestra and soloists have to be paid (VAT is not paid because we
give them a personal cheque). Sometimes these costs are as much as
£7,500.
Publicity is sometimes £1000, venue is £800-£1000, and
staging costs £360.
We pay for programmes to be printed, although
we do get income from sales and advertising.
of £10,000.
Concerts cost in excess
Our next concert will cost £14,000, which means selling
900 tickets to meet the budget.
Selling tickets through the Choir is
beneficial as there is no 10% handling charge nor VAT, which is
payable when tickets are sold through the Civic Box Office.
«
John Britten asked why income is shown as £25157 for concerts this
year as opposed to £9940 last year. This was because there were more
concerts, so the income and expenditure are greater by proportion.
«
A question was asked as to the Borough concert last year where there
was no expenditure, but this year there was a cost.
This was the cost
of floral button holes which was not passed on to the Borough.
«
Laurie James proposed accounts and Joy Hunter seconded, carried
unanimously.
6. Election of Officers
«
At this point John Trigg stepped down and Stephen Jepson conducted
the election of the Chairman. John Trigg had agreed that he would
continue as Chairman (proposed by Bob Cowell and seconded by
Stephen Jepson). This was carried unanimously.
«
JT continued at this point with the following elections:
«
Honorary Secretary - one nomination, Stephen Jepson, proposed by
Marion Arbuckle, seconded by Marion Adderley
«
Honorary Treasurer - one nomination, Bob Cowell, proposed by
Stephen Jepson and seconded by Daniel Adderley
e
Membership Secretary — one nomination, Noreen Ayton, proposed by
Sheila Hodson and seconded by Stephen Jepson
e
All carried unanimously
¢
Election of committee — Margaret Dentskevich, Mandy Freeman,
Marion Arbuckle and Jo Andrews were standing down.
Others have
agreed to continue (Carol Terry, Rachel Edmondson, Alan
Batterbury, Jackie Alderton, Hilary Trigg).
No other members
wished to be considered for the Committee at this stage.
7. Appointment of conductor - Jeremy Backhouse was unanimously
elected.
8. Appointment of accompanist - Jeremy Filsell was unanimously
elected.
9. Appointment of Independent Examiner of Accounts: Brian Reed proposed Stephen Jepson, seconded John Trigg, carried unanimously.
10.
e
Any Other Business
The new ladies uniform appears to be successful. The scarf will be
added in due course when this becomes available.
*
Russell Watson concerts were challenging in that the music was not
straightforward and the choir had to think on its feet during the
performance, which was sometimes unpredictable !
Everyone who
participated enjoyed the experience and many thanks were given to
Noreen Ayton for all her help in organising these events. The choir
would like to continue to be involved this sort of performance
alongside our normal concerts. There was great support from the floor
for this.
e
Mary Clayton mentioned that on the subject of publicity the GPC
website is out of date.
It was last updated in February 2002 and
Lionel Moon is now responsible for its maintenance unless anyone else
in the choir who would like to take on this responsibility. If any
member finds an out-of-date link they should report the details to
Stephen Jepson who will take steps to get the link deleted.
*
A request was made for anyone who has a connection with Surrey
County Radio or Classic FM or any marketing ideas, as Alan
Batterbury would be very pleased to hear from them
¢
The gold rose was well accepted at the Jubilee concert and there was a
suggestion that the gentlemen might wear a gold lapel pin, which
would cost £2 each.
e
This suggestion was not taken up.
There is now a timetable for the Freiburg visit.
Rehearsal is Friday
evening, most of Saturday and most of Sunday and the concert is at 7
p.m. on Sunday evening.
planning to attend.
Stephen Jepson will get details to all those
e
There is also a rehearsal schedule for next year. A venue for about
300 singers for 14 February 2003 is required. The University Sports
Hall was suggested.
Jeremy Backhouse has suggested that we could
perhaps rehearse in the cathedral. This will be investigated.
*
The question of other venues was raised — some people do not like
coming to the cathedral because it is too far and the acoustic is not
good.
Woking is very expensive. Civic Hall costs more than the
Cathedral. Petworth House - National Trust charges a lot of money for
these venues. The Choir cannot afford to take a chance on an
expensive venue and risk making a loss.
If we sing for a charity we do
need to ensure that the charity has its own team to do the organising
and get sponsorship.
e
Judy Smith asked why we have not been getting press reviews for our
concerts.
Surrey Advertiser now has a new editor and they seem to
have changed their style and do not seem to be interested. They will
not even publish reviews if we write them ourselves.
It is hoped that
the Surrey Ad will be interested in Chloe Hanslip who is playing at the
next concert.
*
It was suggested that members do a leaflet drop in their local areas
and tell people that they can buy tickets from a designated choir
member.
Another suggestion was to pay for newsagents/Post Office to
display posters advertising concerts.
e
One member asked if the choir’s e-mailing system is secure.
Anyone
can get a virus but all files are cleansed before being sent to members
and members must run their virus checkers regularly.
*
Rehearsals start again on 2 September 2002.
Members will be
informed of any changes to these arrangements.
11.
Date of next AGM - Monday 23 June 2003 at Christchurch,
Guildford.
A
AL
A
GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th APRIL 2002
2000/2001
2001/2002
Borough Grant
£
3000.00
3000.00
Concerts: GBC
555.00
INCOME
9940.45
188.90
Choir
Donations
Friends
155.00
100 Subscriptions
General fund raising
Sale of goods
Gross Interest received
Miscellaneous receipts
Music sub-account contributions
Patrons
1178.00
1162.21
99.00
Subscriptions
Tax refunds on covenants
TOTAL INCOME
10.30
82.82
1200.00
946.76
269.64
1356.30
1996.59
15.65
3039.80
304.10
1227.41
900.00
658.80
Social events
515.00
25147.06
1100.00
341.40
10722.56
10503.00
3089.87
3128.23
33966.13
51867.72
16795.00
23166.49
253.10
6561.40
1076.83
EXPENDITURE
Direct charitable expenditure
Choir concerts
331.05
Borough concert
Music sub-account hire charges
Rehearsal fees
Rehearsal room hire
Sub-total
Fund raising costs
100 Club prizes
Cost of stock sold
Social event costs
3185.00
26749.50
34502.37
650.00
2224
233.51
650.00
169.06
Other fundraising costs
Sub-total
Administration costs
1815.37
450
Bank charges
Miscellaneous
Presentations
Publicity
Subscriptions
3140.00
740.56
Write-off of Notelets
Write-off of old folders
451.62
59.23
1413.38
229.56
Sub-total
2158.29
Bradbeer Legacy
11.00
103.05
77.14
166.29
1007.48
12.00
548.46
260
3548.32
275.50
4386.88
729.48
Donations
Miscellaneous Expense
6743.00
1150.80
422.82
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
31145.98
41777.01
NET SURPLUS (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR
2820.15
10090.71
Total this year
2822.60
Plus surplus attributable to previous year
245
10090.71
GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
AGM - 24 JUNE 2002
MUSIC DIRECTOR'’S REPORT
I intend keeping this short!
Our season began with the familiar territory of the Messiah — uncut
— on 3 November. | was very keen with
this concert to put a strong case for the legitimacy of performing this work with a large choir and orchestra,
given the competition from the ‘authentic’ movement (small choir, small orchestra) both in Guildford and on
a broader perspective. Also | was aware that to sing this work in the cathedral would require a highly
disciplined approach. | felt that we acquitted ourselves extremely well and proved beyond doubt that large-
scale performances of the Baroque repertoire are just as valid as the small-scale. Despite my fast tempos
and the fireworks outside, the many semiquaver passages came across very cleanly indeed and the dancelike effect that| was seeking certainly communicated itself. This was aided in no small way by the fine
playing of the Brandenburg Sinfonia. Special mention should be made of the four fine soloists, especially
Charles Humphries the counter-tenor who was on fine form.
We then moved on to the Christmas show in the Guildford Civic which we again shared with the Guildford
Symphony Orchestra with Darrel Davison and which followed the usual format. | tried to pick some less
familiar carols to sit alongside the old chestnuts and | think this worked quite well, though | think some felt a
little under-rehearsed
The New Year saw us tackling Mozart (the Solemn Vespers) and Haydn (the Nelson Mass) for a concert on
2 February with the Surrey Mozart Players. The programme also included the 5" Symphony of
Mendelssohn. Both the choral works are glorious pieces and I think that our joy in singing them shone
through to the audience. Certainly there was a tremendous panache and confidence to the choral singing
that evening.
Helen Neeves' singing of the gorgeous Laudate in the Mozart was a highlight.
When Nicola Goold adopted the Golden Jubilee programme that| had put together for her subscription
series, she said that if the Queen Mother died before it we would surely have to change the repertoire to
something less celebratory. When she did die on Easter Saturday | was fearful that wholesale changes
would be imposed. Fortunately though the mood of the country was such that a celebration of her life
seemed entirely appropriate and in the end our concert on 6 April became a fitting tribute to the QM. When |
decided to open the concert with the Britten National Anthem | could never have imagined just how powerful
and moving a moment it would prove. The whole evening then became a glorious celebration with some
brilliant singing — powerful and robust and delivered with great conviction. And for once | felt that the
Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra were playing with real commitment for us.
Then to our most recent concert: Mendelssohn'’s Elijah on 25 May. It is incredible to think that this is the first
time that the choir has performed this piece, so a performance was long overdue. | was absolutely delighted
with this concert and felt it was really very fine indeed. | had decided to perform the work uncut so as to give
the drama the opportunity to be conveyed to its fullest extent. And dramatic it was. Our Elijah, Mike Bundy,
was deeply impressive — really fabulous and all the other soloists gave strong performances. It was
especially good to see and hear Eugene Ginty again. | was very happy to welcome back the Forest
Philharmonic Orchestra who, as ever, played with great assurance. | mentioned at the time that one player
in the bar afterwards said that it was “a joy and privilege” to play for us. He was very impressed with our
singing — and so he should be because it was of the finest order that evening. The many different moods of
each chorus — whether baying for blood, bawling to a false god or simply being angelic — were portrayed
with enormous passion and sincerity. The ladies’ “Lift thine eyes” was particularly fine. | honestly don't think
that this performance as a whole could have been bettered by any choir in the country and it really showed
what a fine work it is and how its recent neglect is undeserved. This was the highlight of the season for me.
Before | leave the review | should mention a couple of other dates that came our way. Back on 30 June last
year a smaller group of us travelled to London to St Martin-in-the-Fields to sing the Vivaldi Gloria as part of
a concert given by the Brandenburg Sinfonia. It made a great day out and it was good to be asked by the
orchestra to be involved. Let's hope we are invited to sing more such dates.
And then there were the two Russell Watson shows — one last October, the other this April. I'm not going to
air my views on Mr Watson here — you've probably gathered that I'm not a fan.
| have to say that | don’t
think that doing these shows broadens the choir's exposure in any really positive or serious way — for
example, the type of audience member at one of his shows is unlikely to travel to Guildford to hear us sing
very different repertoire. And I'm not sure that it makes us any more versatile in our repertoire: | have great
difficulty in getting excited about the sort of arrangements that we are asked to prepare. But | suppose it is a
good way of bringing in money and | think it's generally considered to be a good day out.
K — looking ahead then
Saturday 26 October
Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor (Chloé Hanslip)
Dvorak: Requiem
Patrizia Kwella/Catherine Denley/???/???
GPC/Brandenburg Sinfonia/Jeremy Backhouse
Guildford Cathedral
GPC promotion
Sunday 10 November 2002
Dvorak: Requiem
GPCIFreiburger Bachchor/Hans Michael Beuerle
Freiburg Konzerthaus
Sunday 15 December 2002 at 2.30pm. (time tbc)
Mayor of Guildford’s Christmas Concert
GPC/GSO/Jeremy Backhouse/Darrell Davison
Guildford Civic
Guildford Rotary/GPC promotion
Saturday 15 February 2003 at 7.30pm.
Verdi: Requiem
GPC/Wokingham Choral Society/GPO/Edward Gardner
GBC promotion
Saturday 17 May 2003 at 7.30pm.
Mahler: Symphony No.8 (“Symphony of a Thousand”)
GPC/SW Essex Choral Society/Lewisham Choral Society/
Forest Philharmonic Orchestra/Jeremy Backhouse
GPC promotion
Saturday 29 November 2003: to include Berlioz' Te Deum & Saint-Saéns’ Organ Symphony
Sunday 14 December 2003: Carol Concert
When you receive your rehearsal schedules for the next season you will see that | have re-introduced the
concept ofa minimum requirement for rehearsal attendance. I've done this because | have been concerned
that attendance has been falling off in some areas recently. This really mustn't be allowed happen. If we are
aiming to maintain the very high standards that we are presently achieving, then | need all these rehearsals.
I don't just schedule loads of rehearsals in order to increase my pay packet! Of course, | will cancel Extra
rehearsals if | think they are surplus to requirements. And please remember that the Friday evening Final
Piano Rehearsals are obligatory. Noreen will be monitoring this so beware!
As ever | would like to thank all the committee, but especially the principal officers, for their support of me
and for all the hard work they put in behind the scenes to make this choir run so smoothly. | would also
personally like to thank Christine Medlow for the quietly efficient way she organises the music — and a word
of thanks to the team who compile the concert programmes so professionally. Additional thanks to Prue for
playing at the dreaded auditions and of course to Mr “Fingers” Filsell for his constantly brilliant playing and
his loyalty to the choir.
It's been another very good year for us musically with some singing of the very highest order. There is no
doubt in my mind that when on form, as we very much have been this year, we are the equal of most major
choruses in the country. | said last year that there was an added confidence in the singing and this is all the
more true this year. What is particularly satisfying is not just that we can now do all the necessary choral
techniques (when reminded!) but that we can sing musically with phrasing and colour
— we get beyond the
notes and make music. There is a flexibility that one might expect from a chamber choir. So, we should be
proud of what we are achieving and active in letting everyone know about it. Thanks for all your hard work
over the past year — | hope you've enjoyed it as much as | have and let's hope next year is as happy and
successful
Thank you,