Loaning instruments

Instrument loan service

The Sibelius Academy instrument loan service maintains a collection of just over 200 instruments, which are available for loan to our students and teaching staff. A pedagogy instructor may borrow instruments in the name of a student enrolled in pedagogy studies. Some instruments are subject to borrowing restrictions; for example, certain instruments may only be loaned to students majoring in the relevant subject. 

When you need to borrow an instrument, send an email to mikko.pietinen@uniarts.fi. and explain your need. Also include your teacher’s name and your own phone number as contact information. Please contact us well in advance, as it will take time to check the availability of the instrument. A loan agreement is always made when borrowing an instrument. Borrowing an instrument is free of charge, but you are personally responsible for the instrument you borrow. The maximum loan period for an instrument is until the end of the current academic year. Meetings at the instrument loan service are always agreed separately, taking safety into account.  

Classroom instruments

The use of instruments placed in classrooms is decided by the teacher-in-charge of the musical instrument group or the head of the department. Classroom instruments may not be taken out of classrooms. Special needs must always be agreed upon in advance, by email at mikko.pietinen@uniarts.fi. 

High-value instruments and other instruments granted by application

Uniarts Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy owns instruments that can be lent based on an application procedure. These instruments include, for example, a collection of high-value instruments and string instruments as well as the Gyllenberg Foundation’s concert harp. Application periods are announced on the Student Uniarts website and loans are decided by separately appointed committees.

Sibelius Academy’s collection of high-value and string instruments

The collection includes 28 string instruments and bows owned by the Sibelius Academy, of which only a few are considered high-value instruments in the traditional sense. In addition, approximately ten instruments deposited at the Sibelius Academy by external parties are administered through a selection procedure organised by the academy, each with its own agreement conditions.

Insurance practices vary by instrument, but the high-value instruments owned by the Sibelius Academy are insured with UK-based Lark.

Intended users of the loan instruments

The instruments owned and managed by the Sibelius Academy are intended for active study-related use by degree students and Junior Academy students who are registered and attending at the Sibelius Academy.

Application procedure

Instrument application periods are generally organised twice a year, usually in March–April and September–October. The instrument loan committee decides on instrument loans and the organisation of the application process, announces the application period and informs students both of the start of the application period and of the results.

Instrument loan committee

The vice dean for artistic activities at the Sibelius Academy appoints the committee deciding on instrument loans for a three-year term based on the proposal of the head of the Strings and Chamber Music Department. The committee consists of three to five members representing different string groups. The committee is chaired by the head of the Strings and Chamber Music Department.

All committee members are expected to assess situations objectively and with an understanding of the whole. If a member considers themselves temporarily disqualified (for example, if their own student applies for a high-value instrument), the chair appoints a substitute to process that instrument’s applications.

Granting principles

The committee may make an overall assessment of the student’s need for a loan instrument. Decisions are influenced by the student’s previous achievements and progress in studies, the planned use of the instrument and consideration of need (for example, another instrument already in use).

Previous neglect by the student may prevent the loan.

Loan conditions

• The loan requires active studies at the Sibelius Academy and, in case of a degree student, studies must progress towards graduation according to the study plan within the target time. 
• The loan requires the student to have annual personal study plan discussions with the department’s academic planning officer.  
• If the borrower temporarily or permanently stops using the loan instrument, or if their studies at the Sibelius Academy are interrupted or significantly delayed, they must immediately notify the Sibelius Academy’s instrument services. Such cases may lead to discussions on possibly returning the instrument or making some temporary arrangements. 
• If the student does not graduate within the target time, the loan period ends when a student exceeds the target completion time set for their studies. The committee may deviate from this rule for very compelling reasons, such as medical reasons.
• If the student graduates early, they may keep the loan instrument until the end of the loan period and until the next application round.

Use of the loan instrument

• The borrower commits to careful use and storage of the instrument in accordance with the insurance conditions of each instrument.
• Taking a loan instrument abroad always requires permission from the Sibelius Academy. The permission is always fixed-term and valid for a specific purpose (such as a competition, audition, one-off performance, masterclass). Permission is requested by contacting the specialist working for the Sibelius Academy’s instrument services.
  • Permission may be granted for studying abroad (exchange studies) provided that studying abroad does not negatively affect progress in the Sibelius Academy studies.
  • Permission cannot be granted for working abroad or for long-term or permanent residence abroad except for the reasons mentioned above.
  • The insurance terms of each instrument affect the decision.

Loan period

• The loan period is two years.
• Towards the end of the loan period and if they have valid reasons, the borrower may request an extension up to the end of the following academic term. The committee assesses such cases individually.
• If necessary, the committee may adjust the loan period at the time of granting, for example for Junior Academy students or students nearing graduation.

Loan agreement

• The borrower and the Sibelius Academy sign a loan agreement using an electronic service (such as Visma Sign).
• Agreements are prepared by the specialist of the Sibelius Academy’s instrument services.
•  For high-value instruments, the second signatory is the vice dean for artistic activities; for other instruments it is the head of the Strings and Chamber Music Department.
• The instrument will not be handed over to the borrower before the agreement has been signed. 
• At handover, the borrower is reminded of the loan instrument user policy and commits to following it at all times.

Reporting obligations

The borrower commits to submitting a report, written in the format the borrower chooses, to the Sibelius Academy every six months. The report must show

• progress of studies,   
• progress of the instrument use plan according to schedule,  
• changes to the plan and   
• confirmation that the instrument remains in the borrower’s active daily use.

The borrower must immediately notify the Sibelius Academy of any changes to the information in the loan application, especially of funding received during the loan period for acquiring a personal instrument and of any other loan instrument granted during the loan period.

Return of the instrument and sanctions related to the loan agreement

• The Sibelius Academy has the right to terminate the instrument loan if the student does not follow the conditions.
• When the loan period ends or is terminated, the borrower must return the instrument immediately.
• If the borrower does not return the instrument without delay when the loan agreement ends for any reason, the Sibelius Academy may charge weekly rent based on the instrument’s fair value until it is returned. 
• The Sibelius Academy will file a police report for any misuse involving high-value instruments (such as failure to return the instrument).

List of high-value instruments and other instruments granted by application

High-value instruments, Sibelius Academy

• Violins: Antonio Stradivarius, Josef Filius Andrea Guarneri, J.N. LeClerc
• Violas: Mantegazza/Ruggieri, Paul Blanchard, J.N. LeClerq
• Cellos: Georges Cunault, Paul Blanchard, William Forster, J.N LeClerq
• Double basses: Carcassi/Piatellini, Hornsteiner

Other string instruments, Sibelius Academy

• Violins: “Amati”, Justin Derazey, Leeb, “Viennese”, Thir, Guarneri copy
• Violin bows: Albert Nürnberger (2 bows), Edwin Clement, H.R. Pfretzschner bow
• Viola & bow: Eero Haahti viola, Lotte bow
• Cello & cello bows: Paul Bailly cello, bows by A. Vigneron & Victor Fetique
• Double bass bows: H.R. Pfretzschner, Bazin

Deposited instruments belonging to external parties

• Fortum: Jean Baptiste Vuillaume violin & Noel Burke bow
• Gyllenberg Foundation: Johann Rombach violin
• Rotary Club of Helsinki: Husson-Mariet cello bow
• Wegelius Memorial Foundation: Eero Haahti violin (2), Eero Haati viola, Eero Haahti cello, Clen Collins violin, Jaakko Mäkelä violin
• Private owner: Bernadel violin & Nehr bow