Leadership qualities as a component of the professional activity of a conductor-choirmaster
Authors: Mykhailova Nataliia 
Published: July 2024

Statement of the problem. Recent research and publications. The relevance of the problem of developing leadership qualities is associated not only with the professional characteristics of the conductors but also with various directions of their professional career. After all, a conductor is not just a musicianperformer but also an artistic leader of the ensemble, and sometimes even an artistic leader of the musical community. Each of these positions requires an analysis of competencies, which in turn constitute criteria for evaluating the productivity of the professional activity of the specialist. The question of the formation of leadership qualities for the successful professional activity of a conductor-choirmaster is included in the circle of discussion topics of modern musicology, music pedagogy and psychology. Among the recent publications dedicated to leadership theory are articles by O. Bortnikova (2017), O. Kozak (2019), A. Chornyi (2018), R. E. Riggio & T. Newstead (2023), works by P. G. Northouse (2018), A. Menehetti (2019). The question of the psychological characteristics of the professional activities of a musician-performer and the qualities necessary for its successful implementation is addressed in the works of T. Smirnova (2021), I. Poluboiarina (2013), O. Komarovska (2014), O. Prokulevych (2017). Objectives, methods, and novelty of the research. The discourse on acquiring, along with professional knowledge and skills, the so-called “soft skills” – the skills that help to grow professionally and achieve success in the field of conducting and choral skills remains open. The purpose of the research is to determine the influence of leadership qualities on the effectiveness of the professional activity of a conductor-choirmaster and to justify the connection between the formation of necessary competencies and successful multi-vector career growth of the specialist. The study primarily involves a systematic, competence-based, and activity-based approaches to analyzing factors influencing the effectiveness of the professional activities of a conductor-choirmaster, the development of his/her leadership potential, and the success of career growth. Conclusion. Formation of leadership qualities involves providing tools for self-realization both in the professional sphere and in the social environment as a leader. In turn, leadership is an essential component for achieving professional competence, without which the full self-realization of the conductor-choirmaster is impossible. Statement of the problem. Recent research and publications. The relevance of the problem of developing leadership qualities is associated not only with the professional characteristics of the conductors but also with various directions of their professional career. After all, a conductor is not just a musicianperformer but also an artistic leader of the ensemble, and sometimes even an artistic leader of the musical community. Each of these positions requires an analysis of competencies, which in turn constitute criteria for evaluating the productivity of the professional activity of the specialist. The question of the formation of leadership qualities for the successful professional activity of a conductor-choirmaster is included in the circle of discussion topics of modern musicology, music pedagogy and psychology. Among the recent publications dedicated to leadership theory are articles by O. Bortnikova (2017), O. Kozak (2019), A. Chornyi (2018), R. E. Riggio & T. Newstead (2023), works by P. G. Northouse (2018), A. Menehetti (2019). The question of the psychological characteristics of the professional activities of a musician-performer and the qualities necessary for its successful implementation is addressed in the works of T. Smirnova (2021), I. Poluboiarina (2013), O. Komarovska (2014), O. Prokulevych (2017). Objectives, methods, and novelty of the research. The discourse on acquiring, along with professional knowledge and skills, the so-called “soft skills” – the skills that help to grow professionally and achieve success in the field of conducting and choral skills remains open. The purpose of the research is to determine the influence of leadership qualities on the effectiveness of the professional activity of a conductor-choirmaster and to justify the connection between the formation of necessary competencies and successful multi-vector career growth of the specialist. The study primarily involves a systematic, competence-based, and activity-based approaches to analyzing factors influencing the effectiveness of the professional activities of a conductor-choirmaster, the development of his/her leadership potential, and the success of career growth. Conclusion. Formation of leadership qualities involves providing tools for self-realization both in the professional sphere and in the social environment as a leader. In turn, leadership is an essential component for achieving professional competence, without which the full self-realization of the conductor-choirmaster is impossible. Leadership enables organizing and motivating the team, effectively managing the performance process, and ensuring high-quality professional activity. Such professional efficiency in work leads to an enhancement of the conductor’s reputation in the artistic field and may provide new opportunities for career advancement, including obtaining higher positions or the chance to work with prominent musical ensembles.