MUSIC IN COUNTRY CHURCHES
Music in Country Churches was established as a charitable trust in 1989. It has two aims: (1) to assist churches in rural regions of England and Wales with holding concerts of classical music; (2) to raise funds to assist those churches with the costs of their repair and maintenance. The Charity is particularly keen to provide performance opportunities to young and emerging musicians.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £46,310 for the year ended 31 October 2025, resulting in total unrestricted funds increasing to £50,423. The trustees' report indicates that the investment portfolio was sold for cash in November 2023, and the charity aims to maintain reserves sufficient to meet financial objectives for one year. Per the independent auditors, there are no material uncertainties relating to the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“Trustees aim to have sufficient reserves to enable the Charity to meet its financial objectives for one year.” — page 4
“Mr Nigel Savory is a trustee of The Lady Hind Trust from which the Charity received a donation of £10,000 (2024 : £12,500) during the year.” — page 21
“During the year Mr Matthew Rice loaned the Charity £5,000 interest fee. At the year end the amount owed to Mr Matthew Rice was £5,000.” — page 21
“Mr Nigel Savory is a trustee of The Lady Hind Trust from which the Charity received a donation of £10,000 (2024 : £12,500) during the year.” — page 21
“During the year Mr Matthew Rice loaned the Charity £5,000 interest fee. At the year end the amount owed to Mr Matthew Rice was £5,000.” — page 21
Funders the charity credits
- Champagne Pol Roger (UK)
Trustees
- Matthew Ricechair
- Anna Stanton
- NIGEL SAVORY DL
- Robert Ralph Abel Smith
- SIR JOHN PARSONS KCVO
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/10/2025 | £155k | £109k |
| 31/10/2024 | £106k | £118k |
| 31/10/2023 | £57k | £81k |
| 31/10/2022 | £74k | £76k |
| 31/10/2021 | £40k | £51k |
Common questions
Is MUSIC IN COUNTRY CHURCHES financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £46,310 for the year ended 31 October 2025, resulting in total unrestricted funds increasing to £50,423. The trustees' report indicates that the investment portfolio was sold for cash in November 2023, and the charity aims to maintain reserves sufficient to meet financial objectives for one year. Per the independent auditors, there are no material uncertainties relating to the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Stephenson Smart (East Anglia) Limited.
Who funds MUSIC IN COUNTRY CHURCHES?
Funders whose own accounts filings name MUSIC IN COUNTRY CHURCHES as a grant recipient include LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND), THE HEADLEY TRUST, DAVID LAING FOUNDATION, THE R C SNELLING CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND) | FY2024 | £10k | |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | FY2024 | £10k | Towards core costs. |
| DAVID LAING FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £5k | Religion |
| THE R C SNELLING CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £5k | |
| LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND) | FY2021 | £5k | Arts |
| LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND) | FY2022 | £5k | Arts |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | FY2022 | £5k | Towards the costs of concerts. |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| G M MORRISON CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £18k |
| THE MCCORQUODALE CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £7k |
| THE DULVERTON TRUST | 1 | £450k |
| GENESIS AMERICA (UK) LIMITED | 1 | £256k |
| THE CECIL KING MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | 1 | £135k |
| Genesis Foundation | 1 | £110k |
| THE BEATRICE LAING TRUST | 1 | £100k |
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 1 | £100k |
Charities like this
- CATHEDRAL MUSIC TRUST
- NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN
- THE NATIONAL CHURCHES TRUST
- Sound Church
- THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF CHURCH MUSIC
- GLOUCESTERSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSIC IN COUNTRY CHURCHES | £155k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CATHEDRAL MUSIC TRUST | £1.2m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN | £333k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE NATIONAL CHURCHES TRUST | £5.2m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 3 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Sound Church | £943k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF CHURCH MUSIC | £1.6m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |