The Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 7 February 2006, at 8.50pm in the Concert Hall, West Road.

Present: Simon Fairclough (Chair) Maggie Heywood (Secretary) Dora Kemp (Treasurer), Stephen Cleobury (Conductor), Richard Andrewes (V-P) Jo Whitehead (Vice Chair) Daniel Trambaiolo (Ch) Sam Hudson (Publicity) Mary Flook (CII), Claire Pike (Recruitment) Gordon Lawrence (Librarian) and approximately 50 members.

1. Apologies were received from John Meurig-Thomas (V-P), David Willcocks (V-P), Peter Johnstone, Andrew Morris & Dorothy Hurst.

2. The Minutes of the last AGM were agreed and signed, and also the minutes of the last EGM.

3. No matters arising

4. Treasurer's Report: The good news is that we almost broke even over the whole year. It's good because we lost money on concerts and we paid more for the conductor and a guest conductor. The secretary has also been paid a more realistic sum for the first time this year. The main source of income which off-set these increases in expenditure is the instrument hiring service. The income was increased by £1000, but we spent less on repairs and replacements this year. She expressed her thanks to the Trustees of the CUMS Fund who allowed us to buy a tenor sax.

Q: Is it correct that these accounts have not yet been audited?

A: Yes. They're with the auditors at the moment.

Q: Who or what are `assessors'

A: The professional musicians who come to hear the final auditions for the orchestras.

Chair: There were three concerts where the house was less than 50%. That's a challenge for us all.

Q: What are mementoes?

A: CDs, pencils, T-shirts, cards etc.

The accounts were accepted, subject to being audited.

5. Appointment of Auditors

CKL Partnership was proposed by MH, seconded by Charlotte Barker and carried.

6. Chairman's Report (SF)

Last year, Tim Brown alluded to difficult events of the previous season, but the focus has now shifted to what lies ahead. We've put on some wonderful concerts with fantastic conductors and all members are working hard. The major event is Maggie's decision to step down from the post of secretary and get some well-earned peace and quiet. The rest of us should note that her loss is going to be one of the most momentous occasions in the history of CUMS (she doesn't actually agree with that statement!!) It's a challenge we all have to get to grips with. Who is going to do the encouraging and nurturing? We need a strong team to be at the centre of things. Fund-raising - we need more income. What can you offer CUMS?

7. Election of Officers

The following were elected unopposed:

Treasurer Chris Ford

Librarian Robert Nimmo

Webmaster Alex Selby

Instrument Manager Jacob Head

Publicity Katy Wyatt

The out-going officers were thanked for their hard work - especially Dora Kemp, Treasurer, who took on a tough job and did it magnificently. Beth Thompson and Sam Hudson have produced and displayed some memorable posters, Gordon Lawrence has kept the sets of music in order and Richard Neill has designed a wonderful automated system for hiring instruments through the web-site.

Stephen Cleobury was warmly thanked for his huge contribution to the Society, and also all of the student conductors. Simon Fairclough and Jo Whitehead were thanked for their leadership as joint chairmen this year.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.