CHILTERN MUSIC ACADEMY
An independent music academy based in High Wycombe, providing musical activities for children aged 4-19, including the provision of orchestras, choirs, bands, jazz and chamber ensembles.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total income was £385,859 against total expenditure of £329,295, resulting in a surplus for the year. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £146,550, which the trustees describe as purposely higher than normal to fund essential infrastructure projects in 2026/27. The trustees confirm the charity is a going concern with sufficient resources for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees aim to hold sufficient funds to cover one term’s outgoings.” — page 3
Trustees
- SAMUEL DENNIS LAUGHTONchair
- ANNE-MARIE SOUTHALL
- Alex Elizabeth King
- Cai Waverley-Hudson
- Dr Amir Jafri
- HILARY NOHAVICKA
- Joanna Smart
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £386k | £329k |
| 31/08/2024 | £314k | £230k |
| 31/08/2023 | £264k | £220k |
| 31/08/2022 | £175k | £144k |
| 31/08/2021 | £92k | £62k |
Common questions
Is CHILTERN MUSIC ACADEMY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total income was £385,859 against total expenditure of £329,295, resulting in a surplus for the year. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £146,550, which the trustees describe as purposely higher than normal to fund essential infrastructure projects in 2026/27. The trustees confirm the charity is a going concern with sufficient resources for the foreseeable future. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds CHILTERN MUSIC ACADEMY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name CHILTERN MUSIC ACADEMY as a grant recipient include THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION, THE HEADLEY TRUST, THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST, ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £500k | |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | FY2024 | £10k | Towards the Sing and String programme. |
| THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST | FY2021 | £10k | Music Education & Engagement (children) |
| ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £3k | Charitable Donation |
| ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £3k | Charitable Donation |
| ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k | Charitable Donation |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| CHK Foundation | 2 | £45k |
| THE LONDON WOMEN'S CLINIC FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| THE CHAMPNISS FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £6.0m |
| THE THOMPSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1.3m |
| MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND | 1 | £830k |
| THE LEVERHULME TRUST | 1 | £670k |
| BACKSTAGE TRUST | 1 | £300k |
Charities like this
- GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACADEMY OF MUSIC LIMITED
- EARLY MUSIC AS EDUCATION
- Rachmaninoff Music Academy
- Gwasanaeth Cerdd Ysgolion Gwynedd a Môn
- ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC
- HENRY WOOD ACCOMMODATION TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHILTERN MUSIC ACADEMY | £386k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACADEMY OF MUSIC LIMITED | £652k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| EARLY MUSIC AS EDUCATION | £137k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| Rachmaninoff Music Academy | £466k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Gwasanaeth Cerdd Ysgolion Gwynedd a Môn | £1.0m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC | £33.2m | — | — | unclear | 14.3% | no doubt |