Tuesday 6th August 2024
Present: Stella Brownsea, Fiona Bartlett, John Formston, Jo Curry, Malcolm Butcher, Heather Butcher, John Awty, Julia Awty, Caroline Rodbourne, Jenny Hyams
In attendance: Justin Bindley
Apologies for absence: Amanda Fletcher
- Matters arising from the last meeting
Music donation
Stella had reported that we had been offered a collection of music from an HCS supported in Long Stratton. Julia confirmed that this has now been collected and will be stored at her house, along with other donated music, including that from Joanna. This will all eventually be catalogued.
- Treasurer’s Report
The Committee thanked Malcolm for his report, which overall showed that a healthy bank balance has been maintained. He will do a full financial report for the AGM on 7 October. Malcolm and the Committee congratulated Fiona for achieving the best Bonus Ball income ever, at £550.00 for the year. Fiona explained that she will not be doing the Bonus Ball on the first Monday of the new term, but will pick this up on 9 September.
- Music Director’s Report
The Committee thanked Justin for his report. John A reported that he had received several emails after the concert, one saying that it was the best amateur performance of the music they had ever heard. Justin said that there were professional singers in the audience who endorsed this, including singers involved with setting up a choir in Fressingfield.
- Feedback/reports from Sub Committees
- Music Sub Committee – main points
- Workshop weekend: it was reluctantly agreed that despite all the publicity, direct contact with last year’s attendees, canvassing at the Garden Party, and numerous emails from John A, the low number of people who had booked did not make this year’s workshop financially viable. Various options were discussed, including a further possible email to all members, and scrapping the Saturday morning session, but in view of the limited timescale, and the possible loss of £400 overall, there seemed to be little option but to cancel. Malcolm pointed out that in 2023, £700 was taken for the workshop which 40-50 people attended. Justin expressed his disappointment at this turn of events and the Committee thanked him and Karen for all his and Karen’s hard work preparing for the workshop.
- Christmas concert: Julia reported that the choir now knows the running order. She has collected the music, though not ‘Bethlehem’ which will be photocopied.
- Rehearsal attendance: Justin reiterated his concern about the extent of absenteeism last term. It was agreed that John A will send out an email to all members at the beginning of the new term, asking them to notify him of all rehearsal absences, whether planned or unexpected, and to confirm their availability for the concert.
- Hiring out HCS catalogue: Julia reported that 55 copies of the Ronald Corp “Christmas Mass” have been hired out to Wymondham Choral Society for the sum of £68.75
- Carol Service in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind: Stella had been approached by the charity’s local fundraiser asking if we could sing at a “Celebration of Christmas” at St. Nicholas Church, Diss, in 2025, which would consist of choir-only numbers and to support the congregation/audience. Justin pointed out that Christmas is the busiest time of year for himself and Karen and he is reluctant to commit to it.
- Sectional rehearsals: These have proven to be extremely useful and should be encouraged to continue. Basses and altos have met at members’ houses; sopranos and tenors have held short sectional rehearsals prior to the main Monday evening rehearsals. It was also thought that, as they are such a large section, Justin’s involvement with the sopranos would be very helpful.
- Publicity Sub Committee – main points
- New outlet: Sarah Veness, Editor of ArtsEast, has agreed to put copy and a photo re our Christmas Concert 2024 in the Autumn issue; there will probably be an opportunity to publicise our future concerts too
- HCS website: After Joanna’s death, Paul said that he would continue maintaining the website, for which we are very grateful. Immediate updates were sent to him re the Summer Concert, and then further updates re the August Workshop. Jenny will continue to send him updates as and when necessary
- Basil Abbott: Jenny reported that Basil has now reviewed our last three concerts and these reviews have been posted on the HCS website, but not in the Diss Express, which used to be where his reviews appeared. As he said in an email after our Summer Concert, ‘Nothing in the Diss Express, Jenny, even though I put a note in saying how much the reviews mean to local groups. I feel bad that I am accepting free tickets from you, but you get nothing in return . . . I can still put reviews on social media, which has greater coverage than the circulation of the newspaper, but it is not the same. You can decide whether you want me to continue writing something about your concerts’. Jenny will assure Basil that we are happy for him to post reviews on social media and that the free tickets are a small price to pay. She will also contact Diss Express to seek an assurance that future press releases will be published.
- Social Sub Committee
Caroline thanked everyone who had helped at and/or sent food to the Summer Garden Party which had been a huge success. The Committee thanked Caroline for hosting such a lovely event.
- 25th Anniversary
There was considerable discussion about the 25th Anniversary concert (summer 2025) as well as possible celebratory events throughout the year, leading up to the Christmas concert 2025. Ideas will be further developed at the next meeting.
- AGM
There was a discussion about who is due for re-election onto the committee this year and other changes. Details will be confirmed on the agenda for the AGM on the 7th October.
- Choir members’ feedback
To be carried forward to the next meeting due to lack of time.
- Date and time of next meeting
TBC
Signed ………………………………… Date ………………………………