Deutsche Version Study Regulations Enrolment See 'Immatrikulation' Student obligations Requirements concerning obligatory courses During the first week of the semester there will be informative meetings in which the heads of each course of study will explain in detail which courses must be taken by which students. This information is also available in writing (in the catalogue, also in separate folders about each program) as well as in the Internet. If you are unsure about which courses you are required to take, please contact the head of your program. Students are responsible for getting this information and filling out the required applications.   Knowledge of the German language Basic knowledge of the German language is, in general, a condition for acceptance as a student at the HSM. The level of proficiency varies according to the program, and is coordinated with the European language certificates. Students who have insufficient ablility to understand and speak German must take courses in German in order to be able to participate in their obligatory courses, understanding the content, participating actively, and – when necessary – providing written work. Courses in the German language are available at the ‘Volkshochschule beider Basel’ (http://www.vhsbb.ch/s_home.aspx), the ‘Migros-Klubschule’ (http://www.klubschule.ch), or the ‘Gesellschaft für das Gute und Gemeinnützige’ (GGG; http://www.ggg-basel.ch/kurse/). The HSM offers a German course as well (see catalogue), but this is intended as a support and not sufficient on its own. The Direction of the HSM may, in certain situations, have students tested in their German language ability, and exclude them from their studies if they do not fulfill the required criteria. Attestation Obligation (Proof of having attended the obligatory courses) Students are responsible for turning in a form to the Secretary’s office at the end of each semester in which all of their teachers confirm that they have attended their courses. If a student has missed more classes than is permitted per semester, but has had a valid reason for being excused, the teacher may determine, together with the Direction of the HSM, if the course will be counted (credit points), or if it must be repeated. These papers must be complete, with all teachers’ signatures, in order to receive the Diploma. These forms have a deadline. Students who turn them in after this date must pay a fine of CHF 100.–. No exceptions! Rules concerning absence Students who are enrolled at the HSM have an official commitment to conform to the rules of the institution. By signing the application form, they indicate their agreement to accept the courses of study, as well as the rules and regulations. Students are expected to attend their courses regularly; absences should be an exception. Teachers are responsible for determining the conditions concerning absences or dispensation in their own subjects. Students are obliged to notify their teachers at least one week in advance about absences described under Point 5. If classes must be missed due to illness or accident, the teachers should be informed as soon as possible, by contacting the Secretary’s office or the teacher, directly. In the case of acute illness or accident, when the teacher can be informed with little warning, teachers are not obligated to make up missed lessons. In the case of absences of over 3 days, when correctly declared, students may expect that the lessons will be made up. Only excused absences will be tolerated! All teachers of the HSM are to declare unexcused absences to the Direction of the HSM. Absences which have not been excused or otherwise declared in advance may result in a written warning from the Direction. A student who ignores this responsibility more than once may be faced with disciplinary measures, exclusion from the Diploma or expulsion from the HSM. Per semester a maximum of 3 absences (excused in advance!) will be permitted in each subject. For each additional absence, or for any absence lasting more than a week, a written request must be turned in to the Director of the HSM. (Application forms are available in the Secretary’s office, Room 4.) This request must be accompanied by a written notice of approval from teachers whose classes will be missed. Teachers may require written work or other tasks (an examination, for example) to assure that the student makes up missed material. If these conditions are not fulfilled, the ‘Testat’ (course attendance certificate) for that semester may be refused. Incomplete ‘Testate’ can jeopardize the Diploma. The following absences can be permitted in the framework of Point 4: Internal:  ‘Vortragsabende’ (official student concerts) (but not rehearsals!), special courses related to studies, as well as larger chamber music projects – as long as they are listed in the catalogue. Participation in comprehensive obligatory projects at the HSM require that you inform your teachers, but will not be counted among the 3 maximum excused absences. Orchestra projects as well as special projects declared by the Direction of the HSM to be comprehensive, have, in general, priority over all other courses. Participation in such projects, as long as they are required (according to the size and disposition of the orchestra), planned and announced in the catalogue, does not count as an official absence. The schedule of compulsory subjects (Pflichtfächer) may be adjusted during periods of rehearsals, concerts or projects of this nature, if it proves that a majority of the students would otherwise miss their classes. Information about and dates of orchestra sessions as well as special projects must be turned in before the beginning of the new school year. The Direction of the HSM is responsible for assuring a feasible number of such projects. External: Activities such as special events organized by ‘Hauptfach’ teachers, courses, auditions, contests, interregional orchestra sessions (Youth Orchestras), orchestra internships. In addition, private reasons such as weddings, death in the family, moving house, etc. Special cases such as military service, extended illness etc. will be treated individually. Teachers and the Direction of the HSM must be informed promptly. Obligatory courses which take place on a regular basis have priority over courses with more flexibility. (See the coloured schedule prepared by the Theory Department, which all major subject (‘Hauptfach’) teachers receive soon after the beginning of the semester.) Lessons in the ‘Hauptfach’, class hours or chamber music rehearsals and classes as well as activities outside of school do not justify absences in the obligatory courses. Students are required to inform their ‘Hauptfach’ teachers about their schedule of obligatory courses. Written Assignments Students are responsible for observing the deadlines for written assignments (methodology, music history, analyses, reports on students or on special courses) and to turn in their papers on time. Exams, Advisory Grades Students are required to sign-up on time for exams in all compulsory subjects as well as for all BA- resp. MA- final exams, and are also required to hand in all possible documents (evaluations, written assignments, program notes, etc.) on time, in the required number of copies; see ‘special terms and regulations for proof of qualification’ (‘Besondere Bestimmungen’ des ‘Reglements für Kompetenznachweise’). The students will be informed of the deadlines by the heads of department for their course of studies. All instructors are obliged to provide any recommended grades for exams (‘Vorschlagsnoten’) where required to fulfill the ‘special terms and regulations for proof of qualification’ (‘Besondere Bestimmungen’ des ‘Reglements für Kompetenznachweise’) by the given due date. Students are entitled to get information about all advisory grades (‘Orientierungsnoten’) given at the end of the scholastic year, and about all recommended grades as well as the contents of any evaluations given by their instructors before an exam (‘Vorschlagsnoten’). Delayed delivery the Diploma due to students’ failure to follow rules For delays in the sequence of studies which are the student’s fault, or written work which is not turned in on time, a fine of CHF 100.– will be imposed if this results in the Diploma not being delivered at the normal time. Obligatory participation in internal and external events All immatriculated students are required to take part actively in all artistic and pedagogical activities of the HSM (internal student concerts, concerts at the end of the year, workshops, orchestra projects, trial lessons) actively and without pay if they are requested to do so. Please note that students in the BA program must take part in the activities of the Choir (Grosser Chor) of the HSM. Students who play an orchestra instrument are required to take part in all the rehearsals and events of the orchestra of the Hochschule if they are requested to do so. Students who are working towards an Orchestra Diploma at the HSM and who have an internship in a professional orchestra are dispensed from the orchestra of the Hochschule. Pianists and organists may be requested to be available to accompany in lessons, student concerts, or exams. The head of their course of study will see to it that they receive credit points for their time. Student concerts (‘Vortragsabende’) To give students the opportunity to perform in public, student concerts take place on a regular basis. Every immatriculated student should perform at least once a year in a student concert. These concerts usually take place on Thursdays from 5.30 – 7.00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 5.00 – 6.30 p.m. In general, these times are reserved for individual classes. Students who wish to apply for a ‘mixed student concert’ (people from different classes) should contact Barbara Rufer (barbara.rufer@mab.ch). For students at the Jazz School there are special conditions. Information is available at the office of the secretary of the Jazz Department. Public performances outside of the Hochschule / Teaching activities of students Participation in contests and concerts outside the HSM – particularly regular work with an ensemble – as well as taking courses at another institution or lessons with a teacher not associated with the HSM should be an exception, and must in any case be approved by the Direction of the HSM. Giving music lessons during the years of study should be limited to what can be considered a complement to the studies, and must in any case be approved by the Direction of the HSM. Insurance Health and accident insurance All residents of Switzerland, including foreigners with a time-limited residency permit, must have health and accident insurance in Switzerland, or proof of insurance which is valid here. This legal requirement must be fulfilled within three months of assuming residency in Switzerland. In certain exceptional cases this may not be necessary. There is a bilateral arrangement with some countries in the European Union which makes it possible to maintain health and accident insurance in the country of origin. Detailed information is available at the Social Service Office (http://www.asb.bs.ch/). Each student is responsible for taking care of his or her health and accident insurance! AHV/IV/EO (Social Security, Disability Insurance, income compensation) For purposes of Social Security, students are considered to be unemployed. Swiss citizens are obligated to pay a minimum premium of CHF 445.– annually, beginning in the calendar year of the 21st birthday. The Compensation Fund Office (Ausgleichskasse Basel-Stadt, http://www.ak-bs.ch) will contact Swiss students in the first half of the winter semester, requesting they pay this fee and get a stamp to show they have paid it. Anyone who has earned an income of CHF 4,206.– or more and has paid the AHV/IV/EO fees is dispensed from this obligation. In the case of an income of less than CHF 4,206.– the paid AHV/IV/IO fees may be reimbursed. To be relieved of paying these fees, or to have them reimbursed, the employer must confirm the income. Non-Swiss students whose legal residence is in another country are not required to pay these fees. It is in the interest of Swiss students to pay the AHV/IV/EO fees, as each year which has not been paid means a reduction in the amount received at retirement. If several years are not paid, this reduction can be considerable, especially in the case of disablement.   Miscellaneous Notice Board (‘Schwarzes Brett’) The announcements displayed in the entrance area of the main building of the HSM and on the information board of the Jazz department (but not those in the cafeteria) are official and binding. Lockers In the basement of the main building on Leonhardsstrasse 6 there are lockers which are available for use without charge. The lockers near the entrance to the small concert room (Kleiner Saal) are intended for short-term use, for a fee. Instruments on loan For lessons on second or ‘variant’ instruments, some are available for rent in the Library. The Jazz Department has 2 vibraphones which can be rented. Refusal of liability The HSM takes no responsibility for lost instruments or other personal belongings which have been left unsupervised in the rooms of the HSM.

Enrolment-StudyRegulations-HouseRules.pdf