FORMATION OF CHILDREN’S VOCAL AND CHORAL CREATIVITY IN UKRAINE: ISSUES OF FORMATION

Abstract

Research objective. The purpose of this study is to conduct a historical and cultural analysis of the development of children’s vocal and choral creativity in Ukraine, from the era of Kyivan Rus to the present day. Special attention is given to the major stages in the formation of professional children’s choral performance, methodological approaches to vocal training, the role of educational institutions, repertoire development, and the contributions of composers and educators to shaping the national model of children’s choral art. Methodology. The research is based on historical-cultural, systematic- analytical, comparative, and musicological approaches. The source base includes archival materials, academic literature, pedagogical treatises, testimonies of contemporaries, and musical works, providing a comprehensive view of the evolution of children’s choral practices. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the study proposes a periodization of the key stages in the formation of children’s vocal and choral creativity in Ukraine, considering cultural and artistic transformations.It highlights the contributions of M. Dyletskyi, M. Lysenko, M. Leontovych, K. Stetsenko, and R. Skaleckyi to the developmentof choral pedagogy. The article emphasizes regional specificities of choral practices, especially in Podillia, Halychyna,and Kyiv. It also outlines the role of modern choral festivals as tools of cultural integration and spiritual support for children, particularly during wartime. Conclusions. Children’s vocal and choral creativity in Ukraine is deeply rooted inhistorical traditions influenced by Eastern Christian and Western European musical practices. Over time, it has playedvital educational, artistic, and ideological roles. Despite the challenges of the Soviet era, children’s choirs maintainedtheir core function. In the 21st century, and especially under wartime conditions, children’s choral art takes on new significance–as a means of preserving cultural identity, fostering moral resilience, and affirming national self-awarenessamong youth.