Following the recent developments at the level of the coronavirus/COVID19 and the advice formulated by the federal government, the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel School of Arts of the Erasmushogeschool Brussel is implementing the necessary measures. Our institution is committed to minimize the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible. We wish to point out that there is no reason to panic and we request the cooperation of all students and staff members.

Staff and students are informed through their EhB-mail. We would like to ask all staff and students to consult these platforms frequently for updates.

Update of 27 March

As of today, you will find on Canvas for each programme how we will further organize the lessons, internships and/or evaluations this academic year.

Dear student,

As you already know, there are no classes on campus until Monday, May 18, 2020. That date is still maintained.

As of today, you will find on Canvas for each programme how we will further organize the lessons, internships and/or evaluations this academic year.

Attention: for some programmes, a number of initiatives mentioned (such as exams!) will start before May 18, so be sure to check your personal situation.

Follow carefully the instructions you receive from your head of education or your teachers. Do not hesitate to contact your head of study or your tutor if you have any questions or concerns. You really are not alone and together get through this.

We wish you every success in the coming weeks.

Kind regards,

Ann Brusseel
President

If you have forgotten your EhB password as a student, please contact Veronique.

If you have forgotten your EhB password as a teacher, please contact Katrien.

Follow all info and updates via: 

• The most recent information about your education: Canvas for students.
• General updates and guidelines: blogpost on our website. 
• Instructional videos for following different types of digital learning activities: Canvas for students. 
• If you are doing an internship, follow the guidelines of the internship organisation!

 

Update of 25 March

Solution for students who do NOT have an internet connection in Belgium

For students staying in Belgium who don't have internet access, Telenet offers free access to the Telenet Wi-Free network until June 30.

Is this the case for you? Please contact the KCB ICT coördinator by email to jan.vanderwegen@ehb.be to request a registration code.

Do you know a fellow student who doesn't have internet access? Please refer him/her to us or send us a message on the same address.

May we appeal to your sense of solidarity in this difficult period: please ask for a registration code only when you don't have internet access.

 

Update of 24 March

All campuses of the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel will remain closed until 18 May 2020. 

In order to limit the further spread of the coronavirus, all campuses of our school will remain closed until 18 May 2020.

• This week we are working on a new schedule that will apply until the end of the academic year.
• By Monday, March 30 at the latest, each student will receive an update per department.
• The lessons will continue online.
• We urge all students and lecturers to follow up their EhB mails for more detailed information about the continuation of the academic year.

The school' services, such as STUVO, tutoring and student administration will also remain available online. Don't hesitate to contact them if you have any questions.

Updates and advice on the coronavirus can be found here.

 

(Second) Update of 18 March

Kleine Zavel AND Regentschapsstraat are CLOSED from Wednesday 18 March 2020 at 12 am until the 5th of April 2020

Dear students,
Dear teachers and personnel,

Following the recently imposed measures by the Belgian government and out of a genuine concern for the health of you and the entire population, I decide to CLOSE the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, Kleine Zavel and Regentschapsstraat, from Wednesday afternoon, March 18 2020 at noon until at least April 5 2020.

If you still want to get your own material from the Kleine Zavel or Regentschapsstraat, you can do so on Wednesday morning 18 March 2020 between 10 and 12 o'clock. At 12.30 hours the guard will close the doors. The EhB buildings at the Nijverheidskaai (musical) will also be completely closed. ALSO the Regentschapsstraat CLOSES today, 18 March, at 12 o'clock.

We have kept the KCB open for as long as possible in these difficult times. For some of you it will be very difficult not to be able to study at the conservatory for several weeks. I'm sad it will be so quiet for a while now. But I comfort myself with the thought that, in more than 600 houses in Europe, or even beyond, your music will sound, and fragments of melodies will be heard by neighbors or passers-by. Share your experiences and music, your concerns and fun through media, telephone and to family. Contact your teachers for advice and support. Complete as many subjects as can be studied via the internet.

After the Easter holidays, I hope to find you back and hear your music sound again in the heart of Brussels, in our Royal Conservatory.

Best wishes!

Kathleen Coessens
Director Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, School of Arts, 
Erasmushogeschool Brussel

Update 16 March 2020

Opening hours buildings for self-study opportunities

Regulation as of Tuesday 17 March 2020

From Monday up to and including Friday

• Kleine Zavel 4/5 from 10:00 to 18:00
• Regentschapsstraat 30 from 08:00 to 16:30

From Saturday up to and including Sunday

• Kleine Zavel 4/5 from 13:00 to 17:00
• Regentschapsstraat 30 CLOSED

In the context of the corona problem, the following rules for classes are temporary introduced:

1. The classes remain open (the student no longer receives a key).
2. Each student goes to the Kleine Zavel counter and is registered by the supervisor.
3. The supervisor informs the student which class is free.
4. The student shows the student card from a distance (min. 1 meter) to the supervisor but no longer gives it to him.
5. The study time is minimal 2 hours, but the student may continue to study longer until another student arrives in the room.

 At the slightest signs of coughing, sore throat or cold, you stay at home!

If you are abroad (e.g. for Erasmus exchange), please contact the authorities and EhB.

This is NOT for students who returned to their home country.

We urge our students abroad to contact the consulate or embassy in your country of residence as soon as possible. Please put international.office@ehb.be in cc of your email and provide the following information:

• Surname & first name
• Date of birth
• National registration number
• Mobile phone number
• Scheduled period of stay
• Concise state of affairs of your internship or study (can you still do an internship or has the internship been suspended, is there still teaching (virtual or not), ...)

Please do not forget to put international.office@ehb.be in cc of your email.

Contact details can be found at https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/embassies_and_consulates/belgian_embassies_and_consulates_abroad

 

Update 13 March 2020

In response to the most recent developments, the KCB and EhB decided on the following measures in the context of curbing the corona epidemic. These measures apply until the Easter holidays.

• From Monday 16/03 there will be no more lessons at the conservatory (neither collective nor individual) and our employees and teachers will work from home (except a minimal permanence).
• From Friday 13/03 there will be no other artistic and/or production activities at the conservatory (orchestra, choir, master classes, etc.).
• From Monday 16/03 maximum focus will be placed on distance learning. 
• Study opportunities for musicians in the conservatory are still possible.

For the (inter)national STUDENTS

• They can go home until the end of the Easter holidays.
• They can stay in Brussels and study music in a secured environment of the conservatory.
• In both cases they are expected to remotely follow up all possible subjects (by way of Canvas, e-mail, skype, …).

 

For the (inter)national PROFESSORS

• Remain accessible and make maximum use of distance learning:
  • Collective and theoretical courses are given remotely with various tools (Canvas, e-mail, skype, ppt and notes, recorded material, …)
  • Individual instrument courses are difficult (quasi impossible) to teach at distance, we’ll see how to cope with this after the Easter holidays. Nevertheless, the teachers are expected to encourage the study from a distance: tips or recordings can be exchanged.
  • Professors and lecturers remain available and respond in time to questions from students and policy (please consult or link to your EhB mail) 

 

Regulations for study and/or attendance at the conservatory

• EVERY student washes hands in the conservatory before entering a room
• EVERY student who comes and plays the piano washes hands before and after entering a room
• If many students come to study, an adjusted order will be made so that waiting together is limited. 
• EVERYONE entering the conservatory, maintains a social distance of at least one meter
• EVERYONE entering the conservatory, covers the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Preferably use a disposable tissue and throw it in a trash immediately afterwards. Then wash your hands with soap and water.

At the slightest signs of coughing, sore throat or cold, you stay at home!!

 

GENERAL INFO

The university college EhB closely monitors the situation and follows up the official reporting. We also work out procedures in consultation with all departments involved. In addition, we are prepared to deal with concerns and questions.

To this end, an e-mail address corona@ehb.be was created. This e-mail address is managed by all those who take on the role of safety anchor on your campus. You can go there with questions or notifications:

• in case of a confirmed coronavirus infection
• in case of suspicion of contamination
• with questions of all kinds about the coronavirus

On top of that, we also take some proactive, concrete measures: for example, the cleaning crews take extra hygienic measures: door handles, light switches, water taps, etc. are cleaned daily with disinfectant product.

As far as travel advice is concerned, we continue to refer you to the official government page of FPS Foreign Affairs. Students or teachers who have individual questions about travelling abroad contact their head of training. 

Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough.

As I'm sure you've heard, the symptoms are the same as with a regular seasonal flu: high fever and coughing. Do you feel sick and have you recently been in a region where the coronavirus reigns, or do you think you have had contact with someone who recently returned from those areas? If so, contact your family doctor by telephone (so do not sit in the waiting room or go to the emergency room).

Important links

 

• Government page about the coronavirus
• Coronavirus test: our association partner VUB developed a test so that you can assess your risk of infection by means of a number of simple questions.

 

In case of an adapted advice from the government you will receive an update

Kathleen Coessens, director Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel
13 March 2020, 2 PM

Updates and advice on the coronavirus can be found here.