Music Factsheet 6: Guidelines on the conduct of pianists for examinations

Introduction
As a pianist for examinations, you are part of a process which is subject to many levels and types of scrutiny, including accreditation by Government bodies, and appeals and enquiries from teachers and parents. For the duration of your work at an examination centre, you will be representing the public face of the  Royal Academy of Dance in public, so it is important to remember to act with due professionalism and courtesy. Some guidelines on what this means in practice are given below.

1. Professional responsibility
Your role as a pianist for examinations supersedes all other roles or connections you may have within the Academy, e.g. member, teacher or Pianist for Dance Classes. For this reason, in any conversations, correspondence or other communication with parents, teachers, candidates you must publicly support and uphold Royal Academy of Dance decisions, policies and procedures on all professional issues at all times. This includes expressing support for examiners and pianist colleagues at all times. 

2. Objectivity & Confidentiality

• If you are offered gifts or hospitality by candidates, parents or teachers, or have social contact with them outside the examination room, this might be seen as an attempt to gain influence or favour. You should avoid doing or saying anything which might compromise your objectivity and integrity, or the objectivity of the examination procedure.
• For similar reasons, you must not express to anyone, verbally or in writing, any opinions concerning teachers or schools arising out of work seen in examinations. You must not enter into correspondence or discussion with candidates, parents or teachers concerning the conduct or result of an examination.  If such opinions, correspondence or advice are solicited – which frequently happens immediately after an examination, for example, they must be politely refused.
• You should never appear, through facial expression or body language, to be passing judgement on the performance of candidates during an examination, and must not act in any way that might distract the candidate(s).
• A sound awareness of the average tempo for each exercise is important, since candidates may perform in groups where individual preferences cannot be taken into account. On no account should you take instructions or advice on tempo from candidates, teachers or parents.

3. House rules for examination centres & studios 

• Under no circumstances should metronomes be taken into or used in an examination to determine tempo for an exercise. 
• Toys, pictures, electronic gadgets or any other object not directly related to the examination procedure, other than those required for medical purposes, may not be brought into the examination studio.
• You may not smoke in the examination room, or take any refreshment, other than water, whilst examinations are in progress.  
• Mobile phones may not be used for any purpose during examinations, and must be switched off until outside the examination room. 
• You may not use any part of the Examination centre to promote, advertise or sell services or products other than those officially endorsed by the Royal Academy of Dance. 
• Please do not converse with examiners in the coffee, lunch or tea breaks provided. These are crucial times for the examiners for preparing and completing reports and other paperwork.