THE READING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Registered charity 273969 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as RSO

The Society rehearses weekly under the direction of a professional musical director in order to achieve a high standard of performance. It performs a series of public concerts at venues in the Reading area. It also organises an annual competition for Young Musicians and joint events with other musical societies.

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Latest income
£45k
Latest spending
£37k
Registered
1977
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £7,968 for the year ended 31 July 2025, maintaining a strong reserves and cash position with no long-term debts. Per the trustees' report, the general reserve stood at £32,417, which exceeds the stated policy target of at least six months of running expenses. The trustees confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

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

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: at least 6 months of running expenses (held: £32k)
The Orchestra aims to maintain general funds of at least 6 months of running expenses so that it is able to enter into contracts to hire performance venues and commit to other expenditure for the following season. — page 5
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: 13. Related party transactions
During the year, a commissioning fee of £30,039 (2024: £Nil) was paid to Reading Symphony Orchestra Productions Limited, a connected company, for the production and running of the concert series for the year. At the year end a balance of £10,855 (2024: £Nil) was due from the company. — page 19
Trustees paid membership fees to the Charity in the year totalling £1,520 (2024: £1,440). — page 19
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: 13. Related party transactions
During the year, a commissioning fee of £30,039 (2024: £Nil) was paid to Reading Symphony Orchestra Productions Limited, a connected company, for the production and running of the concert series for the year. At the year end a balance of £10,855 (2024: £Nil) was due from the company. — page 19
Trustees paid membership fees to the Charity in the year totalling £1,520 (2024: £1,440). — page 19
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: 13. Related party transactions
During the year, a commissioning fee of £30,039 (2024: £Nil) was paid to Reading Symphony Orchestra Productions Limited, a connected company, for the production and running of the concert series for the year. At the year end a balance of £10,855 (2024: £Nil) was due from the company. — page 19
Trustees paid membership fees to the Charity in the year totalling £1,520 (2024: £1,440). — page 19
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Reading Symphony Orchestra Productions Limited
During the year, a commissioning fee of £30,039 (2024: £Nil) was paid to Reading Symphony Orchestra Productions Limited, a connected company, for the production and running of the concert series for the year. — page 19
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

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

Operates in: Bracknell Forest · Reading · West Berkshire · Wokingham

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/07/2025£45k£37k
31/07/2024£33k£32k
31/07/2023£30k£27k
31/07/2022£23k£23k
31/07/2021£2k£8k

Common questions

Is THE READING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £7,968 for the year ended 31 July 2025, maintaining a strong reserves and cash position with no long-term debts. Per the trustees' report, the general reserve stood at £32,417, which exceeds the stated policy target of at least six months of running expenses. The trustees confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.