Professional Training of Military Musicians in Ukrainian Lands at the Turn of the XIX–XX Centuries

Abstract

Abstract. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have strong traditions of musical bands that date back to princely and Cossack times. The task of their orchestras is to boost the morale of servicemen, to strengthen the power of the Ukrainian army by means of musical arts, as well as to perform at festive events (both at the local and the state level). However, despite the importance and diversity of creative and educational activities of the Military Orchestra Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, no comprehensive study of historical aspects of the functioning of music and military bands in national musicology has been conducted.
 The purpose of the article is to analyze the historical process of the formation of traditions of professional training of members of military musical bands at the turn of the XIX–XX centuries in the Ukrainian lands, as well as ceremonial and social functions of their concert activity.
 Research methodology. The overview is based on historical, structural and systemic methods.
 Results. Traditions of military orchestral training in Ukraine have deep historical roots and are based on multicultural principles. Traditions of performance and training in military musical bands of the Armed Forces of the independent Ukraine were formed on the basis of the three lines of continuation: princely and Cossack music­artistic formations and bands of the time of liberation movements (LUSR — Legion of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen, UIA — Ukrainian Insurgent Army), which represent their direct national line; Russian military orchestras with the participation of Ukrainian specialists; and multinational Austrian and Polish military music bands in Ukrainian territories. All of them together formed the basis on which the Ukrainian military and musical tradition was based, absorbing all the most relevant and productive aspects of the experience gained.
 Novelty. The activity of centers in which members were trained for existing military orchestral groups in the Ukrainian lands, as well as ways in which such training was performed, and the development of professional training of musicians were considered.
 Practical significance lies in the consideration of prospects for further detailed study of the functioning of separate bands, their repertoire, instruments, ceremonial and social functions, achievements of particular individuals in the field of performance, pedagogy and conducting.
 Conclusions. In the activity of military orchestras in the Ukrainian lands at the turn of the XIX–XX centuries we can see a combination of military­ceremonial and social palace­concert functions, wide involvement of all segments of the society in concert touring, which completely dictates the rich repertoire. From LUSR schools and guilds, professional training of musicians was gradually transformed into the activities of specialized training units at the military formations, cadet schools and trumpet schools, institutions at music societies and professional music training in conservatories.