SYNODAL SCHOOL: FORMING A MODEL OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION IN THE RUSSIAN CHORAL CULTURE OF THE XIXTH – EARLY XXTH CENTURIES

UDC 378
DOI: 10.36871/hon.202302026

Authors

Aleksey I. Gavdush,
Academy of Choral Art named after V. S. Popov, 125565, Russian Federation, Moscow

Abstract

The article is devoted to the development of professional choral conducting education in Russia, which in the XXth century rose to the same level as higher professional education in conservatories. It was aimed at educating regents — artists of a new type, capable to give a new impetus to the development of the distinctive domestic forms of singing culture, based on the original Old Russian singing tradition. The evolution of this process in the activities of the Synodal Choir and School proceeded from a special attitude to the art of church choral singing a cappella. The idea of developing a national style of church music, its carriers and performers through a series of reforms of one of the oldest choirs in Russia led to the creation of a unique, most modern model for the education of choral conductors in Russian choral culture at that time. The changes in the Synodal School followed the logic of a gradual comprehension of the uniqueness of the whole affair, which required both organizational changes and the introduction of new curricula.

Keywords

regent, a cappella, patriarchal choristers, church singing, conservatory, academy, music and singing programs, conducting, solfeggio