Music educators and professional musicians share a common goal of providing artistic literacy and enjoyment to communities. However, they have different roles within the larger music society. Music educators are focused on teaching others how to read, understand and appreciate music, as well as how to play instruments. They seek to create a greater interest in music through study of the subject. Professional musicians, on the other hand, are focused on creating an understanding and appreciation of music by offering their own skills to the public, as well as at private functions, for compensation. Yet, music educators often work as professional musicians, and professional musicians often work as music educators, even if only through private lessons.
The goal of the Music Code of Ethics is to maintain the fine line between professional and amateur musicians when it comes to accepting performance opportunities. It also guides music educators and professional musicians as to their respective roles within the community and how to work together to allow opportunities for growth among music students without usurping income from professional musicians.
No doubt, performance opportunities are a significant part of a growing musician's study. However, student groups should perform only for educational purposes. That is not to say school groups cannot be paid for performances. Indeed, most school music programs in the United States suffer from underfunding, and donations are always acceptable. The problem arises, however, when organizations or individuals avoid hiring professional musicians because a school music group is less expensive or will play for free or a claim that funds are not available to pay professional musicians.
Professional musicians should strive to contribute to the education of inexperienced musicians and the community rather than merely focusing on earning money for gigs. Professional musicians should contribute to enrichment programs at schools so that students have an opportunity to see the potential successful outcome and performance techniques that a serious study of music can bring. However, merely bringing in professional musicians to expose students should not replace a school's offering of a music education curriculum.
The organizations that adopted the Music Code of Ethics are the American Federation of Musicians and the Music Educators National Conference. The latest version was adopted in 2007, and it is regularly reviewed through a collaborative process. In the event a dispute arises between music educators and professional musicians, the Music Code of Ethics suggests informal resolution, resolution by cooperation between representatives of each organizations' local representatives and finally, arbitration.