Kara Shen
Rotary Club of Doylestown
Four-Way Test Award
I have been playing piano for eleven years and thoroughly enjoy music. However, in the
last year, I encountered situations in my musical activities involving ethical problems, where I
applied the principles of the Four-Way Test. I played in a piano trio, which consists of a piano, a
cello, and a violin, at the Settlement Music School. In the group, Sarah played the cello and
Rachel the violin. Early on, it seemed that we were a cohesive group that played well together.
When we began a more advanced piece, I increasingly noticed that Sarah was no longer
practicing as much and often came to rehearsal without knowing her part. I sat through many
uncomfortable and unproductive lessons watching her struggle.
Our rehearsals continued into the summer, as we attended a music festival together. I
hoped that Sarah would be more diligent, given three weeks to focus on her part. However, she
did little to try to improve. Finally, I decided to resolve the situation. I had to make Sarah aware
of my discontent, but do so politely, without causing her embarrassment or even anger. I
approached Sarah and Rachel towards the end of the camp to discuss our future as a group. We
began with the truth of the situation; Rachel and I expressed our concerns about Sarah’s lack of
effort. Sarah, in turn, recognized that she should have contributed more to the trio. She explained
that she had been busy during the school year, and was trying to focus on her solo repertoire. It
was not fair to the group if any of the members was not dedicated, but it also was not fair for
someone to be a participant in an activity she did not enjoy. After our discussion, we collectively
decided to split the group. This decision was beneficial to all concerned. Rachel and I could find
a cellist that shared our commitment to the piano trio, and Sarah would be free to concentrate on
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the activities she preferred. And because we settled the issue in such a civil manner, we have
remained friends.
Music for the Soul is an organization in my school which holds musical performances by
high school students at local nursing homes. I have been deeply involved in its management
since its founding. Several times a month, I organize one-hour performances, mostly at Heritage
Towers in Doylestown. The residents of this nursing home are undoubtedly well-cared for. Still,
they might wish for different visitors to break the monotonous routines of their lives. Music for
the Soul aims to provide both entertainment and company for these seniors.
The organization has always been interested in attracting more musicians so that residents
will be exposed to new faces and talents. High school students are extremely busy, with
standardized tests, extracurricular activities, rigorous courses, and the ever present shadow of
college applications. Unfortunately, clubs compete with one another for a student’s time and
participation. When I approached potential members, I saw two choices before me: I could
emphasize the club’s purpose to spread the joy of music and recruit the few who were truly
interested, or tout the utility of Music for the Soul in helping a college application and attract
students by the dozens. But it would not be fair to the nursing homes to bring performers who
were there for the wrong reason. The choice was very clear. In recruiting students, I emphasized
the impact music had on the residents of the nursing homes we visited. As a result, our members
truthfully demonstrate their enthusiasm during their performances.
We reserve an hour of the residents’ Sunday afternoon and we honor this time by
providing music we think they will enjoy and talking to them. More rewarding are the
friendships we have developed. The nurses are always eager to help in preparation of the events
and the residents thank us profusely for coming. They are interested in where we go to school,
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and how long we have been involved in music. In turn, we get to know the residents and their
own lives. Performing in Heritage Towers has been vastly beneficial to all those concerned. The
residents enjoy an hour of heartening music and the students certainly feel gratified in making
someone’s afternoon more enjoyable.
Through my involvement in a piano trio and in Music for the Soul, I exercised the FourWay Test, confirming that ethics should take precedence over all else. I made sure that I was
truthful about the situation, and that my actions were fair and beneficial. I do feel very fortunate
that I live in a community such as Doylestown, which houses both a welcoming environment and
upstanding citizens. Where I will live in the future is unknown, but I am sure that, in any town, it
is strong moral and ethical grounding that will determine the value of my contribution to society.