New Ethos Music Criteria

Principle Judging Criteria for Music and/or Artists:

The New Ethos music criteria is unique as it is with the film criteria in that we try not to put the artist "in a box."  New Ethos respects the special dignity of the God given vocation of artists which the late Pope John Paul II wrote in His Letter To Artists (1999), is "alert to every 'epiphany' of the inner beauty of things."  New Ethos understands that for artistic creativity, the artist, in service to beauty, needs to go "beyond what the senses perceive and, reaching beneath reality's surface, strives to interpret its hidden mystery." [Pope John Paul II - Letter To Artists].

Principle Judging Criteria:

  1. Diverse genres and maturity levels: The New Ethos branding is not merely "family oriented" genre (G or PG), but also supports genres with mature themes.  Pope John Paull II wrote that "even when they explore the darkest depths of the soul or the most unsettling aspects of evil, artists give voice in a way to the universal desire for redemption." [Letter to Artists, N. 10].  Sometimes the artist needs "R-rated themes" to accomplish this.
  2. Art is greater than the artist: New Ethos may consider granting its award to an individual music piece or song regardless of the moral character of the artists.  There is a distinction between the moral and aesthetic value of the artist.  New Ethos does not judge a work of art based on the personal moral value of the artist.  An artist need not be a professed Christian, who in actualizing their productive talents, can create a work that exhibits an overarching spirit of truth, beauty, and goodness.  An artists can be a great saint, or a great sinner and in both cases, be in great service to God and humanity when actualizing his talents to unveil the inner beauty of things.  Important Consideration for "Excellence" Award:  Artists who are able to achieve a strong sense of continuity between the integrity of their music and the lives they lead.
  3. No work of art or artist is perfect: Even though New Ethos awards its logo of "Excellence," we recognize that nothing is perfect save our Father in heaven.  Yet, New Ethos encourages the artist to aspire to that quality of perfection to "be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect," in their music and in their own lives [Matt. 5:48].  We all are a work in progress.  One day we are "on our game" with God and the next in dire need of his mercy.  New Ethos may award its "excellence" to a particular artist one day, and the next day, the artist may slip into unvirtuous behavior.  New Ethos will not be quick to pull its support from such an artists, and in fact will offer its pastoral support and prayers.  New Ethos will pull its market support for a recipient of the New Ethos "Excellence" award if it becomes evident that their behavior has become obstinately blasphemous and unrespectful to the moral order.  But even in this case, New Ethos will offer its support in prayer and hope that once again we can joyfully proclaim their talents to an entertainment consumer famished of truth, beauty, and goodness.

Primary General Music Criteria:

  • Overarching spirit:  Exhibits truth, beauty, and goodness.
  • Transcendent Value:  The ability to uplift/nourish the human spirit; Embodies a strong sense of God communicating His person to humanity through the music.
  • Human Value:  Communicates honesty, depth and clarity relating to the human experience.
  • Music Industry Standards:  Music exhibits overall production quality; Creativity - use of imaginative and innovative approaches and techniques.
  • Connecting Factor:  The ability of the music to positively connect with souls of diverse backgrounds warrants widespread promotion to a Catholic audience.
Particular limits:

  • No entertainment product considered “offensive” will be considered:  Offensive = lowers the moral standard of the consumer, casts discredit upon natural or human law, inflames the passions, or arouses the lower instincts latent in the human heart.  New Ethos will not consider music with suggestive sexuality, language, and blatant disregard for the dignity of persons.
  • God's name to be respected: Sorry, but even "one" mention of God's name in vain ("GD") will not be considered.  Sometimes just one thing can ruin a whole work of art, and this is one.