THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROFESSOR HRYHORII LEVCHENKO’S CONDUCTING AND CHORAL ACTIVITIES IN UKRAINIAN CULTURE AND EDUCATION

The article reveals the significance of Professor H. S. Levchenko’s conducting and choral activity in Ukrainian culture and education, its main stages are considered. They are the following: the organization and management of the women’s choir of the Poltava Sewing Factory (1957), the amateur choir “Reshetylivka embroiderers,” the women’s song and dance ensemble at The Palace of Culture of Poltava Cotton and Spinning Factory (1960), the “Horlytsia” choral folk group (1961). The significance of H. S. Levchenko’s creative achievements, participation, and victories in many regional, republican, and international festivals and competitions are emphasized. The peculiarities of the artist’s work with the academic choir chapel of Poltava V. G. Korolenko State Pedagogical Institute (1967), the Ukrainian folk choir “Barvinok” of Poltava meat processing plant (1974) are revealed. It has been determined that the apotheosis of H. S. Levchenko’s conducting and choral activity is the constant artistic direction of the Ukrainian folk choir “Kalyna” (1979-2022). It is analyzed in artistic, pedagogical, and organizational aspects. Attention is focused on the achievement of a high professional and performing level of the group. Its creative achievements and awards, choral repertoire, concert activities, and touring trips are characterized. It is noted that “Kalyna” became a creative laboratory of the Department of Music of Poltava V. G. Korolenko Nation Pedagogical University, where the best traditions of future teacher training were preserved and continued, and the pedagogical ideas of the outstanding Ukrainian teacher, musicologist, conductor, ethnographer, choreographer and composer V. M. Verkhovynets were implemented. Based on the Ukrainian folk choir “Kalyna,” students achieved high-performing vocal-choral, instrumental, and stage skills during several years, enriched themselves spiritually, improved their professional and organizational skills, and deepened their knowledge of musical-aesthetic and national education of the young generation.