Changes to the Central Executive Board
The next issue will feature an article about Cristian Vasile, who, after 22 years on the Central Executive Committee, has stepped down to make way for Maël Graa, whom we introduce here.
Maël Graa, a professional tenor who lives at the foot of the Vaud Jura, holds a master’s degree in humanities from the University of Lausanne (2021) and a master’s degree in opera singing from the Lausanne Conservatory of Music (2025). He performs as a chorus member and soloist in several major ensembles in French-speaking Switzerland, such as the Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne and the Académie vocale de Suisse romande, as well as in the choruses of the Opéra de Lausanne and the Grand Théâtre de Genève. In addition to his artistic work, he serves as coordinator of the Geneva Conservatory of Music’s alumni network and is committed to advancing his profession. He is a co-founder and secretary of the «Association romande des choristes et solistes» (ARCS) and, in this role, supports initiatives and actions aimed at improving the working conditions of professional singers in French-speaking Switzerland.
Maël, what motivates you to serve on the Central Executive Board?
I would like to share my experience and knowledge of the arts community and its organizations with my colleagues. It is very important to me to bring their voices—and especially those of low-income individuals—into a constructive dialogue among the various stakeholders in the music community.
What are the specific challenges that freelance singers face compared to instrumentalists?
Generally speaking, since singers hold the same degree and (roughly) practice the same profession as instrumentalists, they tend to be respected less, and their working conditions are less than ideal. On top of that, permanent positions are, as is well known, very rare. For me, this is partly explained by a tradition of amateur choral singing, which is of a very high standard in Switzerland. We’re very often asked what our actual profession is (I know that some instrumentalists hear this too) or whether we play an instrument. Incidentally, there are some facts worth highlighting that are particularly related to the professional practice of singers—such as health, recovery time, or the connection to the stage—as well as the challenges that affect all musicians.
What else can the SMV do to support freelancers?
The SMV already plays a crucial role in representation and providing information. It can continue to address issues related to status, compensation, and social security, and carry on its work of raising awareness among cultural partners to help them understand the realities of freelance work, which affect a large proportion of professional musicians in Switzerland.
