The singers and music composers seen here in a performance on Singer’s Day, which has been held on December 12 annually since 2007

There is broad support for establishing an association for singers, but there are many who are still on the fence, waiting for clarity about its purposes.

In a meeting last Monday in Hanoi, People’s Artist Thanh Hoa chaired a discussion among some forty leading singers about submitting a draft on nationwide recognition of the Singers’ Association to the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.

A draft of fifty pages was sent last year by a private firm – East Asia Company – to house local singers in a professional association but it was not widely supported by veteran singers in Hanoi.

“East Asia Company didn’t prove its accountability for such an association so we couldn’t accept their proposal but singer Thanh Hoa, with her recognized status as a People’s Artist, is an enthusiastic and admirable singer. I support her,” says opera singer Quang Tho.

Singer Viet Hoan is concerned about the fact that more and more singers are getting scammed by show organizers as well as the proliferation of music fraud, with unauthorized music products dominating CD shops and bookstores. For Hoan, this is why “the Singers’ Association should be established,” and she believes “it will run effectively.”

“We have associations for dancers, photographers and music composers. Modeling started just ten years ago in Vietnam but the Models’ Association has run for over two years. That is to say, if singers don’t have an association of their own, it would be a big disadvantage,” says torchbearer Thanh Hoa.

Singer Khanh Linh suggests that the association should be a “press channel” providing the most up-to-date and the most precise information about singers and their singing careers.

“The association aims to protect singers’ rights, promote their singing career, boost their social responsibility by organizing charity shows and develop singers’ solidarity by sharing difficulties among members,” says Hoa.

The general consensus seems to be for an association in which all members are enthusiasts who have a passion for singing, posess some background knowledge of music and understand several legal issues.

In the context that no one oversees and takes responsibility if a singer lipsyncs, holds an overseas performance tour without a permit or performs songs that are blacklisted as antigovernment or otherwise censored, the association can have a role in guiding its members.

Many Yes’s

“We have an association for composers at the moment, so if there is another one for singers I think it’s fair! The Composers’ Association helps us in terms of organizing tours from which inspiration and material for our songs have come. I appreciate the association’s financial assistance to some composers who live in difficulties. If the Singers’ Association could help out similarly, why not?,” says composer Duong Thu.

Thu says there should be only one membership criteria – it must be voluntary.

Singer Phuong Thanh, a pop-rock sensation for over a decade, says the most crucial part about establishing an association is to clarify its initial purpose.

“If the purpose is to protect singers’ rights, of course it will gain support from singers.”

Thanh also mentions the importance of the association chairperson with respect to their personality, ability and reputation.

“People’s Artist Thanh Hoa is absolutely the right candidate.” Thanh says, adding that if the association works well she will register for membership.

Surprised and excited about the idea of an association for singers, cai luong (southern folk opera) artist Que Tran says she always supports any association with good rationale.

“As a freelance artist, I didn’t have many chances for landing a good role because each stage has its own artist and they rarely call a freelancer in. Since I joined the Stage Association, things have changed,” Tran says.

If the new association is founded to offer a “fair stage” for its members, Tran would love to be a member, adding to her membership in the HCMC Stage Association.

Reported by Ha Thanh – Thanh Van – Mai The