CORNERSTONE MUSIC

Registered charity 1188707 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

supports a programme throughout the year- major choral/orchestral works with amateur chorus performing to professional standards; with professional soloists and orchestra- professional chamber concerts and solo recitals- excellent talks about music of different periods illustrated with fine CD recordings- open to the public at low prices to ensure those with low incomes can benefit

Objects

(1) TO ADVANCE, IMPROVE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN, AND APPRECIATION OF, THE ART AND SCIENCE OF MUSIC IN ALL ITS ASPECTS BY ANY MEANS THE CHARITY TRUSTEES SEE FIT, INCLUDING THROUGH PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC CONCERTS AND RECITALS; (2) TO FURTHER SUCH CHARITABLE PURPOSE OR PURPOSES AS THE CHARITY TRUSTEES IN THEIR ABSOLUTE DISCRETION SHALL THINK FIT BUT IN PARTICULAR THROUGH THE MAKING OF GRANTS AND DONATIONS.

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£27k

Latest spending

£22k

Registered

2020

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £1,761 for the year ended 31 December 2025, resulting in total net assets of £9,471. The trustees maintain a reserves policy targeting a minimum level sufficient to cover the £5,000 to £7,000 operating costs of a major concert. The financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis, relying on the continued support of the Music Director.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Related-party transaction: Conducting fee paid to Music Director Adrian Boynton, who is a trustee (implied by context of 'Adrian's regular afternoon sessions' and his role as Director, though explicitly listed as trustee in Chair's report? No, Chair's report lists 'Adrian Yardley (treasurer)' and 'Adrian Boynton' as Director. Note 11 says 'Adrian Boynton'. Chair's report lists 'Adrian Yardley (treasurer)'. Wait. Chair's report: 'The Trustees are Dr David Chapman... Adrian Yardley (treasurer).' Note 11: 'Adrian Boynton'. Are they the same person? The Chair's report mentions 'Adrian’s regular afternoon sessions'. It is highly likely Adrian Yardley is Adrian Boynton or they are related. However, the document does not explicitly state Adrian Boynton is a trustee. It states Adrian Yardley is a trustee. Note 11 states payment to Adrian Boynton. Without explicit link, this is risky. Let's look closer. 'Adrian’s regular afternoon sessions’ from his private CD collection.' vs 'Adrian Yardley (treasurer)'. It is ambiguous. I will exclude to be safe, or include if I can find a link. The document does NOT explicitly link Adrian Boynton to the trustee list. Therefore, I cannot confirm he is a trustee. I will set to empty.

“In 2023, the trustees resolved to pay £700 conducting fee to Adrian Boynton per major concert with retrospective effect, increased to £1000 for 2025. As at 31st December 2025, payment is outstanding for nine major concerts.” — page 5

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Trustee expenses policy and procedures

Trustees · trustee networks

Dr David Chapmanchair
Adrian Mark Miller Yardley
Carol Joyce Chapman
Dr Catherine Hampton
Rev Margaret Ann Goodall · trustee of 1 other charity

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Buckinghamshire

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/12/2025	£27k	£22k
31/12/2024	£16k	£18k
31/12/2023	£17k	£14k
31/12/2022	£9k	£7k
31/12/2021	£5k	£5k

Common questions

Is CORNERSTONE MUSIC financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £1,761 for the year ended 31 December 2025, resulting in total net assets of £9,471. The trustees maintain a reserves policy targeting a minimum level sufficient to cover the £5,000 to £7,000 operating costs of a major concert. The financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis, relying on the continued support of the Music Director. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.