AMATEUR VOCAL ENSEMBLES AS A POPULAR FORM OF MUSIC-MAKING IN CONTEMPORARY FOLK SONG PERFORMANCE

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of amateur vocal ensembles as a key, popular, and sustainable form of music-making that ensures the preservation, transformation, and active promotion of folk song heritage in the contemporary Ukrainian cultural space. The aim of the article is to conduct a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon of amateur vocal ensembles as a popular and viable form of music-making that preserves, transforms, and actively promotes folk song heritage in the modern Ukrainian cultural context. The research employed methods of theoretical analysis and synthesis to systematize scholarly publications and identify the main trends in the development of ensemble performance; cultural and historical-typological methods to substantiate the social and identity-forming role of ensembles; as well as the method of system analysis to reveal the interrelations between factors of popularity (national and cultural revival, mobility, modernization) and challenges (staff shortages, financial constraints). The scientific novelty of the obtained results lies in defining the amateur vocal ensemble as a «living archivist» of microtraditions and a key socio-cultural phenomenon that actively utilizes digital transformation and genre hybridization to ensure the continuous evolution of the folk song, as well as in systematizing the factors that contribute to its high social function and popularity under conditions of national challenges. The conclusions demonstrate that amateur vocal ensembles perform a dual function: they preserve the authentic heritage of folklore while adapting it to the needs of contemporary culture, thus remaining an indispensable element of modern folk song performance. Further research should focus on clarifying the role of amateur ensembles in supporting morale and providing cultural therapy in the context of military conflicts.