A hugely busy and successful year

A satisfactory year all round despite the recessionary pressures. Early planning and actions to head these pressures off are proving quite successful. The continuing and growing support of our Patrons is vital. Our thanks to each and every one of them for their wonderful generosity.

Children's concerts

New this year has been the series of Calling All Kids concerts where children have enjoyed free access giving them concert going experience in a relaxed, hands-on environment. 194 children along with 140 adults enjoyed these five events. They will continue.

Professional classical concerts

In the mainstream concert programme, eleven concerts drew a total audience of 1124 with disappointing attendances earlier in the season balanced by much greater support later. The policy remains in place to provide music of the highest possible quality across all musical forms – a policy that inevitably satisfies some of the people some of the time but cannot satisfy all the people all of the time.

Outreach to schools

Music for Life continues to flourish in its 14th year with nine sets of professional musicians taking concerts and workshops to 36 primary and special schools – to a total of 3,500 pupils. This exciting initiative remains our core activity with young people. As an extension to Music for Life, around 50 teachers attended a graphic notation workshop and 60 pupils from Thirsk Community Primary School were given an educational visit to The Sage, Gateshead. The Peter Chase Award  supported three talented young musician this year.

Conclusion

Despite all the fears, the Society made a tiny loss of just £646 on a total expenditure of £33,864.

A good year and a busy one. A year which is a tribute to everyone involved in the organising, fundraising, day to day running and support of the Society.

For the future, we aim to boost audience numbers both for mainstream concerts and for Calling All Kids. Also to strive to find extra funding from new or existing Patrons so that our support for young people can continue to expand.

Chairman, Sowerby Music