Much Ado About Ethics
By Scott Coulson, TMAA Concert Band Vice President | Sunday, March 15, 2009 1:16 PM
The buzzword in the media today is ethics. Headlines are littered with stories about unethical behavior and those lacking integrity. Investors make poor financial decisions. CEOs of major corporations embezzle shareholder funds. Politicians misuse campaign funds or “forget” to pay their taxes! When I used to get the Leaguer in the mail, I confess that I went straight to the back page to see if I recognized anyone’s name under “Official Notices” and “Public Reprimands.” Come on, admit it, you did too!
The dictionary defines ethics as “principles or standards of human conduct, sometimes called morals” and integrity as “possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards.” The Texas Music Adjudicators has its own Code of Professional Ethics. As TMAA members, it is our responsibility and even our mandate to maintain our professionalism and to be beyond reproach as we execute our judging duties. Though brief, the expectations of ethical behavior are clearly defined as follows:
Adjudicators shall know and uphold all rules for music competition in the current issue of the
Constitution and Contest Rules published by the University Interscholastic League.
Adjudicators shall be physically, emotionally and mentally fit to discharge their duties at music
contests.
Adjudicators shall maintain an ethical code of conduct which will not impair or prejudice effectiveness
as a judge, before, during and immediately following the competing dates.
Adjudicators will honor all contracts, assignments and duties as prescribed by the contest chairman. Prompt notification of the contest chairman regarding emergency situations is required.
Adjudicators shall avoid fraternizing with competing directors, administrators, or school officials prior
to or during the contest.
Adjudicators shall not discuss other adjudicators with directors or school officials. Criticism of other adjudicators will be made in writing to the Director of Music Activities, University Interscholastic League.
I encourage you to review these policies as you prepare to judge an UIL music event.
The University Interscholastic League and the Texas Music Educators Association also have their own code of ethics that go hand in hand with those of TMAA. Although all of these guidelines apply to us as educators, some can apply more specifically to adjudication:
* We shall know and uphold all rules for the UIL music program as stated in the Constitution and Contest Rules.
* We shall foster a spirit of artistic involvement and aesthetic achievement for all students participating in music contests.
* We shall see that music contests are conducted with discipline and decorum, maintaining both the spirit and the intent of the rules and regulations for music competition.
* We shall recognize that the profession demands integrity, high ideals, and dedication to music education.
* We shall recognize that maintaining the integrity of the profession is the responsibility of each member.
* We shall neither accept nor offer any gratuity, favor, service or gift that would appear to result in special concession or diminished capacity of impartial professional judgment.
* We shall enter into a contract or agreement only if it will allow the maintenance of professional integrity.
* We shall report to the appropriate entity any conduct by a colleague which is considered detrimental to the profession.
* We shall model conduct at all times in such a manner as to merit the respect of the public for members of the music education profession.
At the 2008 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, I had the pleasure of serving with fellow band directors Mike Brown and Kerry Taylor on a panel focused on ethics and their relevance to our profession. Our discussion kept returning to two simple truths: “know the rules” and “do the right thing.” No matter how trite these phrases might sound they are accurate and equally applicable to all judging. Parents, performers and spectators expect us to be fair, unbiased, and consistent. It is our responsibility to approach every opportunity to judge with an uncompromising effort to maintain these standards and ideals.
*Special thanks to Jeff Jones for his assistance with this article.