The Macau Association of Composers, Authors & Publishers (MACA) held a press conference about its Music Compilation “MACA Album Vol. 9” yesterday afternoon at A Porta da Arte Café in Rua dos Ervanários.
MACA Chairman João Eduardo Larcher Kruss Gomes told the press conference that the association aims to promote local music productions through compilations and digital music platforms and strengthen the public’s respect for music copyright.
Kruss Gomes pointed out that the association has launched a music compilation with eight local original music pieces which were shortlisted from the “MACA Song Writers Quest Online 2021” event. The event was held in October.
The compilation is presented on a USB drive. Kruss Gomes said that the compilation’s design aims to bring a sense of happiness and enjoyment to listeners.
According to a statement distributed by the association on the sidelines of the press conference, MACA has been calling on the public to respect music creators’ original works with the catchphrase “Respect Music, Protect Copyright”. Through MACA, the public should always remember to apply for a music licence before playing or using other creators’ music in public, the statement added.
The chief of the Intellectual Property Department of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT),Cheang Hio Man; the chief of the Tourism Products and Events Department of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Si Tou Lam Lai; the chief of the Intellectual Property Rights Investigation Division of Macau Customs Service, Kong Wai Yi; Macau Customs Service Inspector Cheang Wa Kam; as well as musicians whose works are included in the compilation, other government officials, and association representatives attended the press conference.
The winner of the MACA Song Writers Quest Online 2021, local band Rebel Rabbit, attended the sharing session in which their drummer and guitarist talked about their experience and inspiration in creating their winning work “All Alone”. According to the drummer, the inspiration for “All Alone” was to express one’s loneliness. The drummer said that one of the band’s members, Felix, was injured in a car accident and was hospitalised for a fortnight. Felix realised how lonely he felt and therefore was inspired to write the lyrics for “All Alone”. The drummer underlined that people often share their happiness with their friends and families, but not when they are sad or lonely. The drummer said through song writing, the band is able to express what loneliness feels like.
According to a MACA statement, the association manages coverage of music works from the world’s six continents. The statement said that MACA’s mission is to enforce the rights of its local members and members from more than 40 affiliated societies.
The statement said that MACA is supported by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). CISAC is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which works with the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The statement points out that MACA’s activities are supported by the Macau Cultural Affairs (IC).
Two members of the “MACA Song Writers Quest Online 2021” champion band Rebel Rabbit – both holding microphones, their guitarist (left) and drummer (right) – address yesterday’s sharing session on the sidelines of the “MACA Album Vol. 9” press conference, at A Porta da Arte (“The Art Gate”) Café on Rua dos Ervanários. Photo: Ula Cheang
