Embargo: 20h00 on Thursday, 11 August 2011
SAMRO celebrates 50 years with a party of note
The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is toasting 50 years as Africa’s foremost rights administration society with a series of celebrations over the next few months.
Starting at the end of August 2011 and continuing well into 2012, SAMRO will commemorate its golden jubilee in style.
A number of activities and programmes are planned for this important milestone, starting with the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition, a copyright media training workshop, the SAMRO/MES fundraising concert, the launch of a book tracking SAMRO’s 50 years in the music industry, and a documentary to be flighted on the national broadcaster.
Next year sees SAMRO’s glittering 50th anniversary concert, as well as awards ceremonies to pay homage to staff and musicians who have helped sculpt the country’s musical landscape.
In essence, this means that during the year celebrating SAMRO’s half-century, tribute will be paid to music legends and industry icons, and the organisation will cement its commitment to music education and industry development while extending its outreach and community upliftment activities.
SAMRO held its first board meeting in December 1961, under the stewardship of the late Dr Gideon Roos, and opened its doors for business in January 1962. Since then, the organisation – and the music industry in general – has undergone many changes to bring it to where it is today.
Commented Annette Emdon, Chairman of the SAMRO Board: “There may have been several social, political and technological shake-ups during those five decades, but the one thing that remains unaltered is our commitment to serving the interests of music and musicians in Southern Africa. Fifty years on, we are proud to stand tall as a globally respected music rights administration society with more than 10 000 members.”
Going forward, SAMRO CEO Nick Motsatse said that SAMRO would continue to ensure that the composers, lyricists, publishers and performers who had entrusted the organisation with the fruits of their creative labours are properly looked after. Services to members extend beyond the regular royalty distributions and protection of intellectual property to value-added benefits such as a retirement annuity and funeral plan.
“We are excited to be repositioning SAMRO as a true 21st-century organisation,” said Motsatse. “We have several progressive projects in the pipeline that will ensure SAMRO keeps up to speed with international technological developments and can continue competing as a bona fide player on the global music stage.”
For a full lineup of SAMRO’s 50th anniversary celebrations, and for regular updates, visit www.samro.org.za check out SAMRO South Africa on Facebook or follow @SAMROMusic on Twitter.
SAMRO @ 50: What’s on the playlist
August/September 2011
In this, the eighth year of Moshito, SAMRO continues to lend its support to Africa’s leading music industry market, where the business of music takes centre stage.
SAMRO will once again be sponsoring the Moshito DigiHub, which enables media and delegates to stay connected and spread the word, as well as the RadioShack broadcast hub.
SAMRO will also host a hospitality lounge where delegates can relax, network and interact in between workshops and activities. And at the SAMRO information stand, current and aspiring members can come and find out more about the nuts and bolts of copyright administration and royalty distribution.
Visit www.moshito.co.za for additional information and updates, booking details and more.
Having initiated the Overseas Scholarships in 1962, SAMRO continues its substantial investment in music education with the 2011 instalment of this prestigious competition that has launched the career of many a composer, instrumentalist and singer over the decades.
This year, the competition focuses on singers. During the intermediate round on 1 September, the 12 semi-finalists will sing for the adjudicators, and two in each genre –Western Art Music and Jazz/Popular Music – will be selected to go through to the final round gala evening on 3 September.
The gala event promises to be a gloriously entertaining affair, as four of the country’s most promising young vocal artists battle it out for two R160 000 scholarships to study music at postgraduate level at a recognised international tertiary institution.
Both of these live events are open to the public, and ticket enquiries may be directed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
October/November 2011
SAMRO will be inviting arts and business journalists to participate in an informative one-and-half-day workshop to explain the ins and outs of the often complex world of music rights administration.
Industry experts will deliver hands-on, interactive talks and demonstrations during this enlightening indaba, which will also provide an opportunity for journalists to interact with key SAMRO staff on an informal basis.
Topics to be discussed include:
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Intellectual Property Bill
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Indigenous Knowledge Systems Bill
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Music industry’s legislative framework
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Needletime Rights
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Mechanical Rights
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SAMRO’s business model
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Music rights in the digital age: Who owns what
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International music rights and governance
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SAMRO’s role and areas of responsibility
It is SAMRO’s hope that this crash course in intellectual property rights will greatly enhance the media’s understanding of the inner workings of the music industry in general, and of rights administration in particular.
Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.
MES – which stands for Mould, Empower, Serve – started out in 1986 as a feeding programme handing out food parcels to the homeless and unemployed community of Hillbrow.
The project received Section 21 status in 1989, and began extending its activities in addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the poor in Johannesburg’s inner city, empowering individuals to take responsibility for their lives and become self-sustaining. Its motto is “Changing the heart of the city”.
As part of its corporate social investment portfolio, SAMRO has already partnered with MES to renovate the auditorium at its Hillbrow facility. In 2011, MES celebrates 25 years of existence and SAMRO 50 years, which makes it fitting that SAMRO is hosting a concert to help raise funds for MES to continue its good work in uplifting the community.
Legendary music ensemble The African Jazz Pioneers will headline the concert, with more supporting acts to be announced later. The event is aimed mainly at donors and sponsors, and further information may be obtained by phoning MES at (011) 725-6531 or emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Respected author, journalist and poet Sandile Ngidi is launching what promises to be a gripping coffee-table book about SAMRO’s first 50 years – and the people, personalities, music and events that have shaped it.
Having conducted extensive research over the space of several months, speaking to various industry players and musicians, Ngidi has undertaken to deliver an honest, warts-and-all account of SAMRO’s evolution over the years.
“It’s a complex story to tell, firstly because the area of copyright management and administration is in itself a complex one – where even members are sometimes under certain misconceptions, such as seeing SAMRO as a union or as an organisation that should ensure their works are promoted and played,” he says.
“But also, inasmuch the book’s narrative follows SAMRO’s development as an organisation, I have also been collecting accounts from some of the people who have contributed to creating musical works over that period. I have tried to explore where SAMRO has done things relatively well over the years, and also areas where it can improve.”
It’s sure to be a page-turner – watch the media for further details!
Rapid Blue is making a documentary on SAMRO’s 50 eventful years in the music industry. Explains director Sara Blecher: “In short, the film will look at SAMRO over the past 50 years: where it started and where it is today. It will cover some of the highs and lows and, in so doing, will help paint a portrait of South African music over the last five decades.”
Expect an insightful and incisive trip down memory lane, laced with musical interludes and interviews. More details will be announced shortly.
January to April 2012
Kicking off SAMRO’s 50th birthday festivities in 2012 will be a massive birthday party to celebrate the month that SAMRO officially opened its doors for business.
The theme for this concert is “1961 and 1962 meets 2011 and 2012” – a musical celebration charting SAMRO’s journey over the past five decades, as well as that of the South African music scene.
Prepare for a multi-generational jam as the hits of the early ’60s – the era when SAMRO was established – will rub shoulders with the hits of the current era. More details will be announced soon.
These awards, brought to you by SAMRO, will recognise and honour key players who have contributed to – and continue to enrich – South Africa’s musical landscape over the decades.
Watch this space for further details!
In the final special event held to commemorate its 50th anniversary, SAMRO will pay tribute to its founders – as well as key staff members and inspirational leaders – who have contributed to the growth and success of the organisation over the years.
