New body set up to represent musicians

Grace Borg, former Maltasong chairman, is setting up a new association for singers, authors, artists and musicians to fill up the void left behind by what she believes is a defunct union.

The first meeting of Akam- the Association of Singers, Composers, Artists and Musicians - was held last night at the Vivaldi Hotel, St Julians, to open up membership and provide details of its first election.

"In my opinion, Ukam (the Union for Maltese Composers and Authors) has ceased to exist, creating a void in the representation of these people," she said when contacted yesterday.

It's not the first time that Ms Borg has confronted Ukam. When she was chairman in 2004 she had stood her ground over new regulations, saying Maltasong did not recognise Ukam as a union since according to the Registrar of Trade Unions it had ceased to exist as a registered trade union in June 2001.

At the time, union president John Vassallo had admitted that certain papers had to be put in order to regain legal recognition as a union and this situation was being tackled.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Vassallo acknowledged that the situation had dragged on throughout these years. However, registration should be completed in the coming weeks, he said.

As if spurred on by the threat of a new association, Ukam has started to get its house in order and yesterday issued a statement announcing that it was receiving nominations for its executive council elections on September 1.

Mr Vassallo denied that Ukam was viewing the association as a threat and said it was healthy to have a number of associations working towards a common goal.

When asked if the association would be willing to join forces with Ukam, Ms Borg said she did not wish to sit on a board with people whom she felt did not have the pulse and feel of the music industry.

"I want to appoint people on the board who truly understand this industry and who represent a cross-section of singers, composers, artists and musicians. I'm creating an association because I love music and feel I can make a contribution," she said.

"In the last four years since I was chairman of Maltasong I feel I have helped revive an era of music in Malta. I have survived against all odds and I'm certainly not setting up the association for financial gain."

Ms Borg is being backed in this venture by her legal representative Patrick Galea; Howard Debono, Ira Losco's manager; and Harriet Cochrane who has worked with a record label in London.

Akam's aim is to promote and protect the rights of every Maltese recording artist, whether established or budding, while improving and advancing the professional interests and status of its members.

Meanwhile, in its statement Ukam said nominations for members wishing to sit on the executive council had to be received by August 29.

The committee will be made up of 11 members. Three of these shall form the administrative board consisting of the president, secretary and treasurer, who will be independent members, and primarily responsible for the administration of Ukam. These members shall not be composers, authors or singers so as to avoid any conflict of interest.

The remaining eight members will be elected from among Ukam's paid members and will form part of the consultation board.

Those who have not yet renewed this year's membership fee of Lm5 (€11.65) can send a cheque or money order payable to Ukam.

Otherwise, payment can be made through direct deposit in Bank of Valletta account number 102 0326 3016, held in the name of the Union for Maltese Composers and Authors, c/o PO Box 41, Hamrun, HMR 1001, by August 24. New members are welcome. Members under 16 years require the parents'/guardians' consent.