. Cantate has four main sources of income - membership fees, ticket sales, grants, and sponsorship. In the current climate, the last two have dried up almost completely.
. We have cut costs and raised fees substantially, but to raise fees any more means that we will no longer really be open access, one of the most cherished features of Cantate.
. Our goal for the appeal is £100,000, which will guarantee the finances of the choir for the next five years and enable us to continue to fulfil our musical and social vision.
. Specifically we will:
  - Establish a bursary for each of the three children’s choirs,
  so they can remain truly open access.
  - Undertake more joint activities with local schools to bring in
  new members and share the excitement of music-making
  with children from all backgrounds.
  - Increase the amount of vocal coaching for choir members,
  which is very important to raise standards and to help
  the children to achieve their individual musical goals.
  - Establish a tour fund to help underwrite the cost of choir trips
  and competitions.