News from ECSA - January edition

In January, ECSA received final confirmation that our Application to the new Creative Europe Programme was accepted and our Grant Agreement signed by the European Commission. This is the culmination of various months of work and coordination done to make sure that we presented a coherent proposal in line with the call requirements and that took into account our members’ needs and priorities. We are grateful for our members’ support and help in compiling the application and we can't wait to delve into the new activities and working groups. We are now looking forward to embarking on the next three years of work for a fairer and more sustainable framework that ensures a proportionate remuneration and better working conditions for all music authors. Find out more about the Creative Europe Programme and its support to the cultural sector here.

On Thursday 20th January, ECSA presented the panel: “Music streaming: time to push the reset button?” at this year’s edition of the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS). Renowned creators, prominent policy makers and key representatives of the music sector, from both sides of the Channel joined the panel, moderated by Helienne Lindvall (The Ivors Academy): Anne de Jong (NVPI), Bernard Kobes (Buma/Stemra), Kevin Brennan (UK MP), Paulina Golba (IMPF), Anna Lidell (DJBFA). The panellists exchanged about the the recommendations of the UK Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, which called “for a complete reset of music streaming to fairly reward performers and creators”. They also discussed the main features of the music streaming market today and its failure to fairly remunerate music authors for their works.

ECSA welcomes the programme of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The French programme is contained in the document “Recovery, Strength and a Sense of Belonging – Programme for the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union”. ECSA welcomes the strong ambitions to promote a new European strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries and place these sectors at the heart of Europe’s recovery. We also very much support the focus on buyout contracts, which deny creators from a fair and proportionate remuneration and circumvent the sovereign application of European law in Europe. ECSA also hopes that the European Commission will also tackle this long-standing issue for authors’ rights and the fair remuneration of European creators.

On 14-15th February, all ECSA Members will be gathering virtually for a new ECSA Session, featuring the meetings of ECSA’s three committees, the general assembly and this time also the elections for a new board. Each one of the 3 committees will elect one Chair and two Vice-Chairs, who will form the ECSA Board. The candidates to the ECSA Board's elections will present themselves to the Delegates of each committee in an online lounge on 3rd February. If you are an ECSA Member and you’d like to participate, reach out to the ECSA Office

Suomen Musiikintekijät - Finnish Music Creators (FMC) organised an insightful panel discussion on Songwriters’ Fee & Walk-in-Fees. The panel featured Tobias Stenkjær, Helienne Lindvall and was moderated by Lumi Ollila. The advent of streaming as the dominant way for listeners to consume their music has proven detrimental to the livelihoods of songwriters. In several markets, including the UK and Denmark, initiatives for ‘walk-in fees,’ ‘per diems’ and ‘development fees’ have become a way for songwriters to leverage their skillset in an individual negotiation with labels, artists, managers and publishers. Watch the recording here.

On Saturday, February 12th, 2022 Nordic Film Music Days welcomes audiences to its 12th edition. The event takes place annually during Berlinale- Berlin International Film Festival. Saturday afternoon will be dedicated to panels, workshops and an opportunity to meet Nordic composers, hear their music and learn about the craft of creating scores. On Saturday evening the Annual HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award ceremony will be taking place and on Sunday, February 13th the nominated films will be screened at Nordische Botschaften in Berlin. Due to COVID restrictions, the organisers have chosen to broadcast the panel event and the award ceremony live from the Nordische Botschaften to five Nordic Hubs in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, where guests can gather and participate. In addition, the event will live stream and be accessible worldwide. Find out more. 

The Ivors Academy has announced that Crispin Hunt, songwriter, producer and musician, is stepping down as Chair of The Ivors Academy Board to make way for a successor. Crispin has steered the Academy, the preeminent body representing the interests of songwriters and composers, through an ambitious period of modernisation, growth and reform. The Academy Board will elect and announce its new Chair shortly. Crispin will continue to be actively involved in the Academy as a Board Director. ECSA takes this opportunity to thank Crispin for his work and his tireless efforts to improve the remuneration and working conditions of music creators.

French ECSA Member UNAC (Union Nationale des Auteurs et Compositeurs) organised its first seminar in November 2021. Different professionals, mainly from the music industry, have gathered in Paris to speak in front of a panel of UNAC members and shared their vision of building and pursuing a career as an author composer.  Two intense working days aimed at transmitting the knowledge required for the development of a professional project. This concept has been very successful so UNAC is pleased to re-organise the event in 2022.

Following the elections at its General Assembly, the new ACMF (Associazione Compositori Musica per Film) board took office on January 17th. In 2021, the ACMF and its 140 associates has dedicated a large part of its activity to central issues of promotion of the film composer profession. ACMF is about to be represented in the David di Donatello Council for the awarding of prizes and is also working to participate with a second member to the supervisory board of Italy’s major music Collective Management Organisation, SIAE Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori. ACMF is also associated with UNA (National Authors Union).

John Groves honoured for his Work in Europe

After 15 years on the board of directors of ECSA, the European Composers and Songwriters Alliance and vice-president of FFACE, the Federation of Film and Audiovisual Composers of Europe, John Groves has announced that he will not be standing for re-election. The Composers Club would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to John for his tireless commitment to the interests of composers at the European level. As a founding member of ECSA in 2007 he has been instrumental in its set-up, and has seen ECSA grow from just an idea to organisation representing the interests of over 30.000 professional music authors.

In recent years John has been active in the fight for the EU directive. With his charm and friendly attitude, he consistently brought the interests of composers to politicians and changed opposing minds. John will continue to be active on many levels in the continuing struggle for fair conditions for composers. The Composers Club is extremely happy that John will continue to be our President. By vacating his positions in ECSA, John is making room for new committed candidates.

Anselm Kreuzer: New European Delegate

The Composers Club has nominated their board member Anselm Kreuzer to be their European delegate and to represent the interests of audiovisual composers in Europe. After 6 years of involvement in ECSA in close collaboration with John, he is considered to be a possible successor.

“ECSA would be very lucky to have Anselm on its board.” Said John “Firstly, he is extremely liked and respected on all fronts; he has a pleasant assertive personality and is extremely well connected. But as a successful composer he is right in the middle of the daily business so he really knows what’s going on. His extensive knowledge of authors right, licensing, and more would give a new and important impetus to ECSA.”

He is standing for election as vice-chair of the FFACE committee which will automatically make him a member of the ECSA board of directors. The Composers Club is convinced that, as an ECSA board member, Anselm would substantially contribute to the challenge of copyright enforcement in the online world.

The registrations for Classical:NEXT 2022 are open! From 17 to 20 May 2022, Classical:NEXT will welcome the global art music community to Hannover and turn the heart of Germany into a vibrant music hub. It's not only our premiere in a new host city, but also Classical:NEXT's 10th anniversary that makes this year's edition special. Please check the registration rates and deadlines to find the best option to participate. The earlier you register, the better the price. Please note that our Smart Rate, which is the most affordable option to join Classical:NEXT, ends soon on Friday 18 February.

The 19th edition of SoundTrack_Cologne will take place from 8 to 11 June 2022. SoundTrack Cologne is one of Europe's leading congresses for music and sound in film, games and media, and a source of inspiration for the growing landscape of festivals and congresses in Europe. With round tables, panels, workshops and networking events, SoundTrack_Cologne focuses on current developments in culture, law, marketing and techniques of media music and offers business cases and networking events. Find out more.

 Registration is now possible for Leading Voices, European Days for Vocal and Choral Leaders, a brand-new event by the European Choral Association. The event will take place in Utrecht (The Netherlands) on 27-31 July 2022. It will offer you over 70 sessions like workshops, lectures, masterclasses and round tables on topics for professionals working in the field of collective singing. Register before April 2022 and get a discount on your registration fee!  Visit  www.leadingvoices.nl, check out the programme or click here to register for the event. Link to register. 

The Women’s Freedom Song Contest is now open and accepting female anthems, lyrics and music videos 'til March 1. (open to all genders) Enter at this link.

To celebrate the work of songwriters around the world, there is also the International Songwriters Day Contest, which is open to writers all around the world, from all levels of experience and running until April 2. This year’s theme is “Inspiration.” They are looking for songs, music videos and lyrics that inspire, think (new beginnings, second chances, starting over), etc. More details at this link.