MUSIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT 2022
AGM : February 2023
I ended off last year’s report by saying “Let’s look forward to a problem-free 2022”. Well, here we are, looking back on a year which was definitely not problem-free. We started off with only 50% capacity for our first two concerts: the Mozart Requiem (in memory of those who had died during COVID) and then a wonderful Messiah at Easter. You can be sure that these both would have been jam packed had we been able to allow it!
Slowly we have been getting back to our normal audiences, and by Christmas we actually did have a capacity crowd, although we only had one performance instead of two.
It’s going to be a long haul to get us back to where we were before COVID.
On the other hand, the singing last year had a special fervour to it, perhaps because of the strange circumstances, and the choir has managed to maintain its high standard of performance in spite of the problems we have faced. As you will have noticed we are having to cut our cloth according to our resources, and where possible we have to do concerts with smaller orchestras or ensembles. This has not really affected, musically, what we have done, and I’m very happy with the product that we produce.
The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg is a very precious gem in the overall music scene in South Africa, and I want you to know that you are appreciated and that your talents are well used in maintaining the traditions of a symphonic choir style of singing. There are precious few choirs in South Africa like this one and we are continuing an amazing tradition, which in the case of this choir has been going since the founding of the SABC Choral Society in 1947. This is an amazing record. I count myself lucky to have been part of this tradition for the last 43 years.
The Rossini Stabat Mater was an excellent performance, and the Birthday Bash, whilst unusual, also produced some outstanding singing. I just want to thank all of you for your devotion to the choir and am very happy to see a lot of new members. This is very encouraging. A fun event at Morningside Shopping Centre in July meant an additional outing for the choir and some income for our hard-pressed coffers.
A renewed thank to all our Patrons, Sponsors and Friends, who continue to support us through thick and thin. And a huge vote of thanks to the committee, who have been working very hard behind the scene to maintain our long term stability and viability. This is an issue which is challenging for us all, and we will deal with this in the months ahead.
As I said at the end of last year, let’s look forward to a problem-free 2023… here’s hoping!!
RICHARD COCK
Music Director
CHAIRMAN & TREASURER’S REPORT 2022
AGM : February 2023
The Choir resumed a full concert programme in 2022 following a relaxation of COVID restrictions in late 2021. The Choir began the year with a performance of Mozart’s Requiem, which was dedicated to individuals associated with the Choir who had passed on during the lock down period – it was an emotional experience. The Choir then resumed the programme that had originally been scheduled for its 40th Birthday year in 2020, viz. performances of Handel’s Messiah, Rossini’s Stabat Mater, an African-themed Birthday Bash and a Christmas concert.
Choir members also took part on a voluntary basis in a “Christmas in July” concert at Morningside Shopping Centre which generated additional income of R10,000.
The first two concerts of the year were “sold out”, but the audience size was restricted to 50% of the Linder’s capacity due to COVID regulations applicable at the time. Audience numbers at the Birthday Bash were disappointing. As a result, the Choir’s 2022 concert programme was performed at a gross deficit of R366,802. However, income from sponsorships, membership subscriptions and other income sources substantially covered this deficit and the Choir’s operating expenditure, resulting in an overall operating deficit for the year of R73,839. The Choir finished the year with reserves of R748,872.
My thanks go to Richard Cock and Jenny Gill for their ongoing contribution in raising corporate sponsorships, which are essential to the Choir’s sustainability in the current environment. My thanks also go to the regular Patrons, Sponsors and Friends, many of whom are Choir members, who resumed their generous giving in 2022. As in past years, this generosity has made a vital difference to the Choir’s financial position, contributing donations of R400,395 for the year.
Thanks are also due to all those who gave of their time and skill to ensure that Choir activities continued to run as smoothly as possible. In particular, I would like to mention Debbie Kruger and Alex Trinder-Smith, for Choir administration; all the members of the Choir Committee, for their advice and efforts; and Maddy Farrant, who administered the Choir membership subscriptions.
Finally, of course, I must record my gratitude to our incomparable Music Director, whose expertise, energy, humour and entrepreneurial skill makes it possible for the choir to continue producing such varied and beautiful music during these uncertain times, and to have great fun in doing so.
STEVE BALL
2023