Sing for Pleasure (SfP) has been endorsed in its 60th anniversary year by one of the UK’s most respected charitable Foundations.
SfP has received financial backing of £30,000 from The Foyle Foundation, one of the country’s leading philanthropic organisations. It follows a year of significant development for SfP, with the launch of a revised mission statement, new brand identity, a restructure of the management team and a partnership with the Royal School of Church Music.
The award, the largest SfP has ever received from a grant application, will support core operational costs as the charity celebrates its diamond jubilee with an extended programme of activity – including a major national singing conference in Manchester in November.
‘Winning the backing of the Foyle Foundation at a landmark moment in our history is a significant mark of approval for the outstanding work SfP has done for six decades,’ says chief executive Paul Cutts.
‘Foyle is one of Britain’s most respected grant-givers and has supported many of the most recognisable arts organisations in the country. This award not only reflects SfP’s long history of excellence in the choral sector but also recognises our potential. I would like to personally thank the SfP team – particularly Jennifer Roughley, our head of finance – for the work they did in supporting our application.’
‘So much has been achieved in the last 16 months that now is a good time for me to move on and leave SfP in the hands of our capable senior management team and committed board of trustees,’ Paul adds. ‘I will be joining Temple Church Trust as chief executive full time from 1 July, overseeing a £6.5m, five-year renovation at the home of the Magna Carta and mother church of the common law.’
‘Paul was appointed on a one-year consulting contract in March 2023 and has achieved many things in the time he’s been with us,’ adds Miles Wallis-Clarke, chair of the SfP board. ‘It has been extremely beneficial to learn from the wider perspective on our organisation that Paul brings, as an experienced and effective leader and innovator in the cultural sector. He has affirmed the many strengths of our personnel whilst coaxing and driving us to have greater ambition and clarity in our strategic vision. He leaves a legacy that will help propel us far beyond our 60th anniversary celebrations this year. I am personally grateful for Paul’s support and know that he will remain an advocate of our work – we will see him at the celebration at Summer School and in Manchester.’
The Management Team has already been restructured and will continue to roll out current plans with increased support from the Trustees until decisions are made about the CEO role in the future.
SfP is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicholas Chalmers to the Board of Trustees. Nic brings a wealth of experience including Principal Conductor of the National Youth Choir (NYC), Associate Conductor of the BBC Singers, Fernside Chair of Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music and an Associate Artist at the Royal Opera House. We are excited about future collaborations between SfP and Nic’s network.
More information about our 60th anniversary activities, including Summer School and our Singing Conference see https://singforpleasure.org.uk/events/.
