General Rules
Brass Academy Alicante
2025-2026 Academic Year

General Objectives

  • International-level preparation of admitted students for competitions, orchestra auditions, concerts, and examinations.
  • High-performance instrumental improvement.
  • Lessons with renowned teachers and their assistants.
  • Rehearsals, regular classes, concerts, and tours with various chamber groups from the BAA (Brass Academy Alicante). These activities are a fundamental part of the training and contribute to increasing the students’ professional experience.
  • Participation in concerts during the BAA Summer Festival (depending on the annual schedule).

Artistic Direction and Secretariat

The Artistic Direction and Secretariat of the Academy are managed by Professors Rudi Korp and Nury Guarnaschelli.

Together with the Artistic Council (faculty staff), the directors make all decisions regarding:

  • Admission of students.
  • Invitations to guest teachers for Masterclasses or concerts.
  • Planning of rehearsals, concerts, courses, tours, and orchestral repertoire classes.

Student Admission and Scholarship Options

Once a year, in March, admission auditions are held either in person before a panel of professors or via video for scholarship students (financial aid for annual tuition or full scholarship).

  • Accepted scholarship students are on a 3-month probation period (until Christmas break).
  • Lack of serious study or misconduct will result in the cancellation of any discounts or full scholarships and may lead to the loss of their place at the Academy.
  • Students must fulfill their scholarship obligations (attendance at all activities and classes).

If a scholarship is revoked, the student must pay the value of the scholarship or forfeit their lessons and place at the Academy. At the end of the academic year, the Artistic Council will evaluate the scholarship student’s progress. Positive evaluations may result in the renewal of their scholarship for another year.

Scholarship Tuition and Funding

The Brass Academy Alicante provides annual scholarships to select admitted students and uses all revenue from events, concerts, donations, etc., to fund pedagogical activities and scholarships.

  • All image and recording rights from Academy activities remain the property of the BAA.

Social Return of Scholarship Benefits

Graduates are encouraged to maintain professional contact with the Academy and contribute to the development of new scholarship students through:

  • Participation in concerts.
  • Providing lessons to current students.
  • Donations (voluntary).

Academic Year

The academic year lasts 9 months, starting the first week of October and ending in June.

Vacations:
The Academy will remain closed during the following periods (dates subject to change based on concerts or tours):

  • December 22 to January 6: Christmas and New Year holidays.
  • Easter Week.
  • July 1 to September 30: Summer holidays.

Pedagogical Activities

Teaching and Lessons

  • Scholarship students receive 4 individual 60-minute lessons per month, along with chamber music and orchestral repertoire classes.

Performance Activities

  • Scholarship students are selected to join one or more chamber groups or ensembles of the BAA.
  • Faculty and the Artistic Council assign students to specific groups, repertoire, and performance roles.
  • Participation in at least one Academy ensemble is mandatory for scholarship students.

Conduct and Responsibility

  • Students must care for borrowed materials and replace them if lost.
  • Behavior on and off the stage must reflect the ideals and reputation of the BAA.
  • Serious misconduct may result in suspension or revocation of scholarships or expulsion.

Study Quality Requirements

  • Students who do not show expected progress will receive a warning from their main teacher.
  • Continued lack of effort may result in the loss of their scholarship or study position.

Library and Media Center

  • All students may borrow materials from the Academy’s library and media center for up to two weeks.
  • Lost items must be replaced or paid for by the student.

Study Certificates

At the end of the academic year, students may request a Certificate of Completed Studies, signed by the Artistic Director, Artistic Secretary, and their main teacher.
Additional certificates for other purposes can be requested by contacting the Secretariat and specifying the required details.

General Summary

  • Students must follow all rules and respect decisions made by the Artistic and Administrative Directors.
  • They must maintain ethical conduct, proper use of study areas, and keep classrooms clean (e.g., turning off lights, no food or drink, and disposing of waste properly).
  • Students must report any issues to the Academy Secretary, who will determine the resolution or escalate the matter to the Board of Directors.
  • Finding accommodation is the student’s responsibility, though the Secretary may assist when possible.
  • If students are part of an official ensemble and need to be absent for concerts or auditions, they must request permission in writing at least two weeks in advance via email: office@brassacademy.com.

Discounts for Masterclasses

  • Scholarship students: 20% discount.
  • Voucher students: 10% discount.

Curriculum Vitae Requirements

Scholarship students must include their status as BAA scholarship recipients in their CVs and on social media during their time at the Academy.

Penalties

  • Late arrivals:
    • Rehearsal: €5 fine.
    • General rehearsal: €5 fine.
    • Concert: €20 fine.

Fines will be collected into a fund used for the end-of-year celebration.

  • Missed lessons:
    • Students who miss lessons without prior notice will forfeit the class, and it will not be rescheduled.
    • Late arrivals will only receive the remaining time of the scheduled lesson.
    • Lessons missed due to justified illness will be rescheduled.
  • Damages:
    • Students responsible for damaging Academy property or materials must repair or replace them.

Alicante, September 9, 2024
Artistic Direction
Brass Academy Alicante