Dear Choir Members,

 

 

As promised, I'm writing to update you on choir fundraising. I'll try to keep this brief ( everyone has busy lives) while doing my best to answer your questions -  please get in touch if you'd like more detail.

 

We need to raise £500 to contribute to the predicted costs of our 25th Anniversary Concert on 25 May 2024 in St Martin's Church, Worcester.

 

This concert will be a truly spectacular celebration of our 25 years. From triumphant opening pieces by Handel to a glorious conclusion by Bach, we'll be performing with top quality musicians and an orchestra with a harpsichord. Naturally, the costs ( approx £8,000)  reflect this. 
Back in June, when the idea was discussed, choir members agreed to contribute £5,000 to these costs from choir funds. The committee also explained  there would be a need for fundraising an additional £500, as a further contribution. Income from ticket sales has been estimated at  £2,500, leaving a possible deficit of £500.  Carole, our efficient Treasurer has produced a budget showing  estimated costs that has previously been shared with you but if you'd like a reminder, please let me know. 

 

Of course we could simply ask you to agree to contribute another £500 from existing choir funds. Thanks to excellent stewardship from Carole and the committee, we are entering 2024 in a strong financial position. Memberships fees cover the core costs of running the choir. However, if we run down our reserves without replenishing them, eventually we'll be limited in the musical opportunities we can offer you and our audiences.

 

A Fundraising Strategy is being developed and we want to work with you on a plan that is shaped by all our hopes and dreams for the choir, while being rooted in what is practical and achievable. For now, we are starting small with a request for your help with raising £500 by May. My maths is not great, but this is roughly £14 each!

 

We are reaching out to you, our incredible choir members to ask for your help in raising this sum. Here are some ideas to get us started: 

 

• Book and Cake Sales in the Chapter House after Eucharist services. This is being supported by the Cathedral. You can contribute by donating books, baking cakes or running the stall. This will also strengthen our relationship with the Cathedral community and give us opportunities to talk about the choir and upcoming events.
• Coffee Mornings in villages and communities where this might work well. Again it's a chance to promote the choir. You can contribute by organising one, helping out on the day or just by attending and eating cake!
• Voluntary Contribution direct to choir funds. We know not everyone is in a position to do this, so any contribution is completely voluntary. Any contribution, no matter how small, is very welcome and will be kept confidential. 
• Easyfundraising the UK's biggest charity shopping site. You sign up ( for free) and when you shop online from your usual brands, the brands make a donation to the choir. Lynne's recent email give more details : this is a simple way to raise small but useful sums for the choir throughout the year.